Hello lovelies!
Itās your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another edition of #TutuTuesday. Today, weāre taking a trip back to 26th August 1845, a date thatās extra special because, my darlings, the tutu was making its mark on the world of ballet!
Now, let me tell you, the year is 1845, and we're in the heart of Paris, the centre of everything fashionable, and Iām absolutely buzzing with excitement. I've just stepped out of a horse-drawn carriage, my pink tulle skirt swishing behind me, and Iām headed to the OpĆ©ra Garnier. This is the very place where the tutu, the darling of the dance world, was starting to bloom.
Before the 1840s, ballerinas were essentially wearing long, flowing skirts that hampered their movement. Imagine trying to perform a fouettĆ© in that! š¤Æ
But thankfully, the brilliant Marie Taglioni, a star ballerina at the time, wanted something different. She yearned for freedom of movement. Can you imagine?
So she collaborated with a Parisian costume designer, Charles Worth, (a name you may recognise - he became a bit of a fashion icon later on!) to design a costume that was lightweight and flowy - and the tutu was born! This little masterpiece of design changed the history of dance.
And let me tell you, when I saw Taglioni perform in the short, fluffy, ballerina style tutu in āLa Sylphideā on 12 March 1841, I was completely spellbound! The way it swirled around her legs, the way it showcased the grace and agility of her movements, the way it brought out the magical femininity of the dance - it was pure artistry!
In the early days, the tutu wasn't quite the elaborate, full-skirted confection we know today. The skirt was shorter than a full length skirt, made of multiple layers of lightweight fabric, sometimes adorned with delicate trim. This allowed for fluidity and showcased the dancers' beautifully toned legs. Itās such a liberating style and just perfect for those amazing dance moves.
I'm just about bursting with excitement as I make my way inside the OpƩra Garnier. I can feel the anticipation of the audience around me. Everyone here is eagerly waiting to witness the spectacle of the performance.
And you know what else is exciting about this era? Fashion! Thereās a new excitement around dressing and fashion, and the tutu was part of it. Think flowing dresses, extravagant hats, the occasional pearl necklace, and yes, even the first glimmerings of what we know today as Haute Couture!
I just love stepping back in time and getting to witness these incredible moments, darling. The way a costume can revolutionize the way a dancer moves, the way fashion evolves in time.
To sum it all up:
1845 saw the tutu as a powerful new fashion trend. The new costume that graced the Parisian stages brought more agility and beauty to the ballets and the fashion trends, and helped elevate the beauty of the human form.
Iām off now to immerse myself in the wonderful world of Parisian ballet! Don't forget to check back next Tuesday for another peek into the exciting history of the tutu! Until then, keep dancing and stay sparkly, my dears!
Lots of love, Emma š
PS: I know what you're thinking! What is my all-time favourite ballet performance in Paris, my dears? Well, I just had to mention "La Sylphide", which is a quintessential romantic ballet featuring Marie Taglioni in its original production in 1832! ** You really have to see it! I think you might even love the iconic ballet that started the āballet tutuā phenomenon so much you might even get caught up in the emotions of the dancers.
* PPS: The famous, romantic ballet *La Sylphide (a timeless classic by August Bournonville ) premiered in Paris in 1832 and the iconic piece which put Marie Taglioni on the ballet world stage.** I just love how these pieces of ballet history fit together!
PPPS: Want to stay even more fashionable? Letās go train-spotting after the performance! Weāve all been so busy talking about ballet and fashion today. We can talk more about travel by steam train tomorrow. See you then, my loves! š
[* www.pink-tutu.com*]
