Hello my darling tutu-lovers!
It’s Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back to the glamorous world of ballet history, and, of course, the evolution of the glorious tutu!
Today, I’m standing right here in the heart of Paris – the beating heart of the ballet world – just a hop, skip and twirl away from the Opéra Garnier, one of the most stunning venues you’ll ever lay eyes on. Honestly, darling, you haven't lived until you’ve experienced a Parisian ballet!
And oh, this February 24th 1852 feels so special. It's the day Carlotta Grisi, our Italian ballerina darling, takes the stage in "La Fille du Régiment," her signature performance! Now, you've all heard of Grisi – she's a legend, the legend. In fact, she was so famous she was knighted by the French! Now, you can't get more fashionable than that, darling!
But how does this day tie into our Tutu Tuesday history? Well, let’s just say it's all about the dress!
We are talking the tutu. This, my lovelies, is a defining moment for the world of ballet – a revolution in dress and design. For those of you new to the world of tutu history, Grisi wasn't just any ballerina. She is the ballerina! And in her performance that night, she graced the stage with a sparkling, beautifully white, three-tiered tutu. It’s so short, just imagine all that elegant movement! It's pure ballet magic. It's considered the most famous, and by far the most beautiful, of all tutus ever made! I mean, imagine that stage presence, darling!
Now, I know what you are thinking – “Emma, did ballet always have tutus?" Well, you are right! Tutues, as we know them, came onto the stage in 1832 when Marie Taglioni gracefully danced in “La Sylphide" - the most captivating of all ballet stories! But back then they were more…flowing and billowy. And that three-tiered design we see Grisi wearing? That was completely new! This is where our journey becomes really interesting. This little gem of a dress marks the moment where we start seeing more, and more dramatic tutus, making the ballet more expressive!
Imagine how liberating that was for the dancers! You know I can't help but daydream about dancing in those glorious skirts myself! This time, my little darling, we've witnessed history in the making. So how much does it make us, well…. "dress conscious", shall we say! Remember darling, you've gotta find your inner ballerina and celebrate all those who have paved the way! Let’s make this moment legendary, too! And what better way to celebrate our #TutuTuesday than with the most beautiful tutus around? Our tutus. 💖
But remember, ladies, this revolution wasn't about just about looks. This new, three-tiered tutu was actually created by Jules-Joseph Leotard (don't get too excited, ladies - not the Leotard – but we can dream, right? 😊 ). It gave the dancers such a liberating movement – imagine the power they had in their steps – so important, you see, in their dancing and storytelling.
This dramatic change made the way ballet looked, and felt different, too! Gone were those big and heavy costumes; it was all about lightness, elegance and that airy beauty. It revolutionized the visual landscape of ballet. I mean, can you even imagine dancing in something so heavy?! You’d just trip over your skirt! Imagine how frustrating it would be not being able to express yourself properly, right?!
It also transformed how people viewed the ballet, darling. It's like the ballerina went from "oh, isn't that nice", to WOW, look at her move. This became what people remember: the grace and elegance she brought to the performance, darling.
Oh, what a thrilling time for ballet this is, darling! It makes me think back to my own days learning en pointe with my best friend Rose - my oh my. The feeling of being light as air, the magic that only we can create as dancers….just breathtaking! Remember, dancing is magic – just ask anyone who's seen Grisi!
It's always an exciting time for ballet fashion, darling. From 1852 to our modern era, everything changes, from those stunning and airy three-tiered creations, the tutu is ever-changing. It truly is a reflection of the time! Oh, don’t we adore how the ballerina dresses, especially as we journey through this fabulous world together?
So here's what you gotta do, darlings – dig into your wardrobe, pick your very best pink tutu, (it's the most elegant and feminine choice, of course!) put on your prettiest shoes and dance like nobody's watching!
Don’t forget to tell me about your adventures!
Until next time my precious tutu-loving friends. 💖
Love,
Emma xx
