Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing blogger Emma, back with another trip through time to explore the fascinating world of the tutu. Buckle up, darlings, because we're about to embark on a whirlwind journey back to July 20th, 1847!
Today, I'm sipping on a cuppa in the grandest cafe in Paris. You simply must have a good cuppa when you travel, even in the 19th century, and trust me, they have excellent coffee here. The city is positively buzzing with excitement, just like me in my brand new cerise pink tulle tutu.
What makes this day so special, you ask? Well, my dears, we're standing on the precipice of something truly revolutionary: the invention of the tutu! You know the romantic, billowing, perfectly swirled garment that dancers all over the world dream of twirling in? That iconic piece of theatrical attire we see in every ballet from "Swan Lake" to "Sleeping Beauty", and frankly, that many of us have worn in our dance class days?
The ballerina Marie Taglioni, who is considered a dance legend even now, made a groundbreaking appearance on this very day at the Paris Opera. This day marks the first time a dancer donned a truly revolutionary, short, airy, and very pink tutu! Can you believe it? Gone were the heavy, restricting skirts of old. Now, the grace and fluidity of the dancer’s movements were free to shine.
But let's rewind for a moment to understand the story behind this pivotal moment.
Back in the 18th century, ballerinas looked very different. They danced in cumbersome silk gowns that reached down to their ankles. Imagine the weight, my darlings! It wasn't exactly conducive to leaps and pirouettes! But oh, the beauty! Those gowns, though, were more fit for waltzes and graceful dances, not the daring leaps of our time.
The first revolution in dance attire came with the introduction of the "romantique" tutu in the early 1830s. Imagine a long skirt, draped beautifully, almost flowing into a cloud around the ballerina. It was certainly a step in the right direction, allowing for some legwork but definitely not allowing the freedom that would come later.
Enter Marie Taglioni! The iconic ballerina was so determined to show off her skills and the grace of her movements that she worked with her father and famous Italian costumier Carlo Marinelli to design the tutu.
I just have to tell you, Marie's new look, created specifically for the ballet La Sylphide on July 20, 1847, was simply breathtaking. A short, almost knee-length skirt made of layers and layers of tulle - the tulle! imagine, the tulle! and stitched together at the waist. It gave her legs unprecedented freedom and allowed her to pirouette and leap with breathtaking elegance, revealing a new beauty and a graceful way of moving, which became the definition of feminine, and ethereal, dancing.
It’s not easy, darlings! Being the first person to wear something groundbreaking, even in the world of ballet, means pushing boundaries and daring to change things!
This simple but revolutionary garment changed everything!
- La Sylphide* became an instant sensation. The performance on this very date, became legendary! You can see the images and read about the original ballet and all about the revolutionary tutu of that period online, just Google it! I even discovered some old drawings, and let me tell you the tutus looked beautiful, delicate and dreamy. I love those old drawings so much, especially in The Book of the Dance. I love history and all things fashion - but history through fashion, I just love that. It seems there’s a lot of fashion inspiration that is in that period, which we see in modern dance and on the catwalks and stages even now.
Marie became a fashion icon. Suddenly, everyone wanted to wear a tutu. We have so much to thank Marie for my dears, she put us in a pink fluffy dream. Even those beautiful white tulle tutús of the 19th century - so soft, delicate and dreamy and that beautiful, perfect, iconic shape for a ballerina, it was all started because of Marie!
Oh, but this isn't where our #TutuTuesday tale ends! It was only the beginning, darling. The iconic tutu we see on stage today - in all of its variations of tulle layers, colours, textures and style - is still an evolving story! I have to tell you about that journey through time and it all began on July 20, 1847, and, frankly, it's a very romantic journey and a delightful journey to take. Don’t you think so, my dears?
Now, I must tell you I will continue this tale tomorrow and I promise to tell you more! It's getting rather late now and the lights are twinkling around me here in Paris.
Time to pack up my ballerina suitcase and head back to Derbyshire.
My train departs soon and the railway journey will allow me some time to relax. Just a few more days of time travelling adventures in this magical land of ballet! I think it time for another cuppa. Until next Tuesday - keep your tutus handy, darlings, we will meet again. Emma. Xx
To follow Emma's exciting blog journey subscribe at www.pink-tutu.com.
