Hello my darling dears! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday installment of Ballet Tutu History! Today we're taking a trip back in time to a very special date: 16th October 1849. This date holds a very important place in ballet history, but you'll have to keep reading to find out why!
Now, before we step back into the 19th century, let's take a moment to appreciate our own sartorial brilliance! Have you spotted a fabulous new tutu at a recent ballet? Or perhaps a charming pair of dance shoes with the cutest embellishments? Let me know in the comments - I simply adore hearing about all your fashion finds!
Right, off we go! My darling travelling trunk is packed, and my trusty pink tutu is on - I'm ready to jump onto the train and whisk us all back to the year 1849. The bustle and the fashion are quite something in this era, but today I want to focus on something far more delightful - a tutu!
It might surprise you to know that in the year 1849, there was no real 'standard' tutu design for ballerinas like there is today. Sure, we might see a simple, flowing skirt or a bit more of a gathered affair, but that delicate, romantic tutu that we all know and love, it hadn't yet emerged.
That's where our special date of the 16th of October comes in. We're heading straight for Paris! (I do adore my little jaunts to Paris! So many gorgeous boutiques!) Imagine my delight, on this very day, to witness the debut of a certain Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni in the ballet "La Fille du Régiment" - a story of a lovely lady of the regiment - in what she called "the Romantic style"! It is in this style that she first takes to the stage in what is widely considered to be one of the very first iterations of the tutu, designed for her by none other than Eugène Lami, a master of costume and detail.
Now, the ballet itself is about an abandoned girl adopted by a military regiment. Marie's performance on the 16th of October 1849 wasn't just about dancing beautifully; it was about breaking away from the confines of the traditional heavy, long dresses and venturing into something revolutionary: light, airy, and most importantly, graceful! This new tutu style became an iconic element of her portrayal, accentuating the lightness and grace that were so revolutionary at the time.
You can imagine the excitement of the Paris theatre as the stage lights illuminated Marie's tutu. Her every movement - the swift, light steps, the fluid jumps, and the delicate arm movements - were accentuated by the soft fabric, the elegant volume, and the sheer beauty of this new kind of costume.
It wasn't just the Parisian crowd that was enamored; the fashion world was also swept away by the beauty of Marie's new look. It ushered in a whole new era of ballerina attire - one where graceful movements and fluid elegance reigned supreme!
And can you guess what the big fashion sensation was after Marie's debut in this very special, romantic style tutu? Yes, you are right! Pink tutus! The entire fashion scene was obsessed with the new pastel hues - and oh, those pretty tutus made such a statement in shades of rosy pink! The very colour I cherish to this day, of course!
This is the moment, my dears, that marked a turning point for ballerina fashion! We wouldn't see this exact same style of tutu for much longer, though. This first romantic tutu, this "skirt of a Greek tunic" - as it was often described in the press, only became a stepping stone to the shorter and shorter tutu designs that we all adore today. But it is important to remember that it started here, in this magnificent year of 1849.
So, remember this date, the 16th of October 1849. It's not just the day that Marie Taglioni took to the stage; it's the day when ballet history was transformed by a single, unforgettable tutu, paving the way for the endless array of stylish tutu designs we love today.
Oh! I'd love to hear what your favourite tutus are, especially those in pink! Share your tutu-loving stories, thoughts on Marie Taglioni, and all your wonderful memories in the comments. And, of course, keep checking back for more #TutuTuesday history - I have so much more to share!
Until next time, Your beloved, tutu-clad, pink-loving Emma!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for even more tutu-licious posts!
