Hello lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, back again with another thrilling #TutuTuesday delve into ballet's enchanting past. This week, we're waltzing back to the 15th of July 1845, a date brimming with the magic of movement and, of course, the sheer elegance of tutus.
As a true Derbyshire girl at heart, I often dream of those bygone days when life moved at a gentler pace. Imagine, my darlings, sitting down to a proper afternoon tea in a beautiful, sunlit garden while enjoying the melodic strains of the orchestra as the ballerinas take to the stage! Ah, how I yearn for such refined leisure.
But before I get carried away by the whimsy of it all, let's dive into the fascinating ballet world of 1845.
Paris: The Cradle of Tutu Perfection
Remember how I mentioned the date? Well, in 1845, Paris was buzzing with anticipation for a dazzling ballet premier – "La Jolie Fille de Gand". This beautiful story of a young girl falling in love with a dashing soldier set the stage for a dazzling new kind of tutu.
Think airy, lightweight tulle, clinging to the body with graceful abandon. Gone were the days of the bulky, cumbersome skirts worn by earlier ballerinas. This new tutu allowed the dancers to move with incredible freedom, creating those fluid, ethereal movements we all love today.
The Queen of Ballet
As I watched the performance unfold, it was the famous Marie Taglioni who truly stole the show. The ethereal, the graceful, the embodiment of feminine grace - Marie was simply captivating! In fact, she was known for the elegance of her pointe work, a true feat for her time, and helped to further solidify the use of pointe shoes for ballerinas, leading to even more graceful and expressive movements.
Imagine, my darlings, those delicate pointe shoes and a tutu fluttering in the air! A true picture of beauty and elegance that we continue to enjoy today.
A Little Something for You, My Darlings
Speaking of elegance, did I mention that I found a charming little shop in Paris called “Au Petit Chapeau?” They are specialists in vintage items and I found the most delightful antique fabric – a pale blush pink satin perfect for a vintage-style tutu! It just begs to be sewn up into a new creation! I think a sweet little pouf skirt might just be in order for the next ballet performance!
Now, if you’re looking for a unique, pink tutu masterpiece to make heads turn, there are plenty of wonderful shops in London that cater to this beautiful ballet craze. Do take a trip to see what they have to offer – you're bound to find a tutu that calls out to your inner ballerina!
The Legacy Lives On
1845 marked a turning point in ballet history, a stepping stone towards the captivating art form we know and adore today. Each performance, each tutu, holds a unique place in this long and elegant history. And as I travel through time, I discover more stories, more magic, more reasons to fall in love with ballet all over again!
Until next Tuesday, my dears! Keep dancing! Keep twirling! And above all, keep believing in the power of the pink tutu!
Stay twirling, my lovelies! Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Remember to send in your #TutuTuesday photos! Share your love for tutus, tell me your favourite ballet stories, and let me know which performance you'd love to see me travel back in time for! Your feedback makes my tutu-loving heart soar! 💖
