Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are life and pink is the only colour that matters! It’s me, Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, back with another exciting #TutuTuesday blog post, ready to take you on a whirlwind journey through time.
This week we’re hopping on a steam train, which is quite the feat considering this week's destination - 1848, Paris! Let's just say finding a pink tutu in the 1800s is a lot more challenging than, say, finding one at the ballet boutique on Regent Street! But no worries, I've got my trusty time-traveling satchel packed with a beautiful pale pink tutu that will definitely turn some heads in this era.
Now, why are we heading to 1848 Paris? Well, it’s a pivotal year for our beloved tutus. It was on this day, September 12th 1848, that a real ballet revolution occurred, the world of ballet, as we know it, would change for the better forever! Marie Taglioni, an iconic dancer, a ballet legend, performed “La Sylphide,” an innovative work that challenged everything ballet was known for.
A quick history lesson: Imagine 1848 ballet - it’s super, super formal. Ballerinas are dressed in restrictive, voluminous gowns with intricate headdresses. (Think layers and layers of tulle - a far cry from the light, elegant tutus we love today.) Then Marie Taglioni steps on stage... wearing a super light, one-layer, airy, barely-there skirt, practically the proto-tutu we know and love! She dances effortlessly, the skirt flowing around her, a beautiful picture of lightness and freedom! It’s like a ballerina version of “We Will Rock You,” shaking up the stuffy traditions.
Now, let’s rewind. It might be difficult to comprehend, but before 1848, there was no actual "tutu". It was the 1800s - there were some very elaborate, fluffy skirt-like things - but nothing like the delicate, graceful, and * *feminine ** tutus we adore today. It's safe to say that “La Sylphide” played a big role in getting ballerinas into that lighter and airy tutu style. We can definitely thank Marie Taglioni and that iconic performance for sparking a whole new era for the tutu!
And what a change it was! The light tutus became the defining uniform of ballet. Ballerinas began to move freely, effortlessly showcasing their beautiful grace and agility. No longer restricted by heavy fabrics, they embraced the spirit of dance - freedom and pure, lyrical artistry.
Just like "La Sylphide," a revolution in dress led to a revolution in performance style. The light tutu wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a tool for artists to express themselves, to convey the spirit of dance. And that, my darlings, is something that has impacted the dance world right up to the present day.
I have to admit, even as a passionate ballerina who loves shopping, I would probably feel overwhelmed trying to buy clothes in this era! There’s an entirely different silhouette, so it's challenging finding my perfect, pink-tutu ensemble in the archives. But when I can manage to sneak a few items into my time machine satchel, it's always amazing to be transported back in time with them, knowing they’re part of such a crucial and glamorous era for dance!
Now, I can’t imagine being on stage without a beautiful tutu; it is such a fundamental part of ballet. I imagine a ballet class or a show without the tutus, and * shudder* It wouldn't be the same at all.
It makes me ponder what fashion changes the next few centuries might bring to the ballet world, right? Maybe we’ll be wearing something completely different from what we know today? Who knows! But no matter what the future of fashion brings, I’ll be sure to follow it all, as long as it involves tutus and beautiful performances!
Now, as we step back off our time travel excursion to Paris and into 2023, I’m curious to hear your thoughts, darling readers. Have you ever seen a ballet performance featuring "La Sylphide?” Have you tried on a tutu? Tell me your Tutu Tales in the comments below, and let's share our love of dance!
#TutuTuesday
Until next week! Stay pink, stay twirly, and most importantly, stay stylish!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Post Number 872
