Hello darlings, and welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday! It’s Emma here, your ever-so-slightly-pink-obsessed time travelling ballerina blogger! And today, I'm taking you right back to the glorious year 1851 - a time when ballet tutus were really starting to make a splash, if you'll pardon the pun!
My travels took me straight to the heart of Paris, which, you all know, is like the tutu capital of the world. Honestly, just stepping off the train and into the bustling city felt like I was stepping onto the stage at the Opéra Garnier - so full of life, excitement, and an air of absolute elegance!
I was on a mission to uncover more about the fascinating history of ballet tutus - you know how I love a bit of vintage research. I even snagged the most divine new frock from a shop in the Marais – it's got lace and ribbons galore, perfect for twirling around the City of Lights.
Now, back to our date – 14th January 1851. Nothing particularly dramatic happened on this date, unlike some other days in ballet history - but it's significant for a reason. Why? Well, because 1851 is the year when Marie Taglioni, arguably one of the most famous ballerinas of all time, was still graceing stages around the world. Now, I know what you’re thinking: what's Marie Taglioni got to do with a tutu, Emma? Well, hold on tight and let me spill the tea…
You see, Marie Taglioni wasn’t the first to wear a short skirt during her dance performances, but she’s known for the evolution of the now iconic ‘tutu’. Imagine – a super-short skirt made with loads and loads of tulle, showing off those magnificent legs. It's enough to make a modern-day ballerina drool with envy! Her most famous ballet, 'La Sylphide', is where she wore one of the first proper tutus and it just changed everything. The world saw what ballerinas could do with those amazing skirts – those swishes, the twirls, the light-as-a-feather movements – they've been perfecting their artistry for years ever since!
Taglioni's tutus became a sensation! They revolutionised dance costumes. The romantic, airy and whimsical tutu captured the hearts of everyone, right down to the queen. Everyone was mesmerised by her elegance, agility, and ethereal grace - and the new, exciting tutu played a key role in all of it.
Even today, centuries later, ballerinas everywhere take inspiration from Taglioni's designs, creating their own elegant variations. There's nothing quite like a graceful swirl of a classic tulle tutu, especially a pale pink one… swoon
It's important to remember, though, that those early tutus were far from comfortable. Think of them like stiff, poofy structures that were heavy and hot! And you know how much I love a good comfortable tutu. Thankfully, those stiff and heavy styles evolved, with lighter and more comfortable materials appearing over time, giving dancers freedom to truly move with artistry.
Speaking of which, today, 14th January, is a perfect day to visit a ballet school. Get out your sparkly leggings, tie up those satin ballet shoes, and practice your pirouettes and grand jetés. Or, even better, book tickets for a ballet performance and immerse yourself in the world of grace and artistry. Trust me, even if you don't wear a pink tutu every day, a beautiful ballet performance is enough to put you in the best of moods!
It's also the perfect opportunity to head to the shops and pick up a tutu of your very own! Just because it's a little chilly out doesn’t mean you have to abandon your love of twirling!
Next week, my darlings, we're venturing even further back in time - get ready for another delightful dose of #TutuTuesday.
Until then, stay chic, keep dancing, and always remember - even if the world is your stage, a pink tutu always helps to create a grand finale!
