Hello darling dancers!
It's your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, back with another dose of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History. I've just popped out of my trusty time machine (which, fun fact, is painted the most gloriously vibrant shade of pink!) and landed right in the heart of Paris. This city, as always, is overflowing with fashion and the arts, and as I sit here at a charming little café sipping a warm cup of chocolate, I can already feel the magic in the air!
Today's date is 14th December 1852, and darling, things are just beginning to blossom when it comes to the ballet!
Let me whisk you back a bit, though, to 1832, where a truly game-changing ballet took centre stage. This masterpiece, "La Sylphide," with its ethereal storyline and flowing movements, was the very ballet to inspire a revolution in women's dancewear - the rise of the tutu!
Before "La Sylphide," dancers, bless their little cotton socks, were quite literally constrained by layers upon layers of fabric! Heavy skirts and voluminous gowns hampered their every movement. Thankfully, "La Sylphide" demanded something more light, graceful, and oh-so-ethereal. A vision of tulle and delicacy became essential, giving birth to the tutu we know and love today!
Fast forward to 1845 and a little ballet called "Giselle" graced the Parisian stage. Now, we're talking some serious tutu history, my lovelies! This captivating ballet is not only a testament to a love so pure, but also introduced a design innovation, the "Giselle Tutu" - the epitome of Romantic Ballet style! Picture this: a delicate and short tutu, showcasing the ballerina's shapely legs and extending those ethereal, dreamy lines.
Now, let's step back to our date, December 14th, 1852. The ballet world is alive with this revolutionary shift! While the iconic tutus of today, with their layers upon layers of delicate netting, might not have made their full grand entrance quite yet, the ballet tutu is taking centre stage like a blossoming rosebud. Just imagine those slightly longer tutus with intricate detail, made with soft fabrics like silk or muslin. The dreaminess begins here!
This era is full of exquisite ballerinas like Marie Taglioni, a real icon of her time, gliding across the stage in tutus, their delicate flounces making her every move even more captivating. It's enough to give us all a good case of tutu envy, darling!
Remember, it wasn't just a change in dress - it was a complete revolution in the dance world! The graceful flow, the lightness of movement, and the breathtaking visual artistry - it all became synonymous with the tutu. A masterpiece in the making!
I must confess, as a self-proclaimed devotee of all things pink and tutus, my heart skips a beat just thinking about how much ballet has transformed the way we view dance! I've got to tell you, it's quite the treat to travel through time and witness this blossoming! My favourite moment this week was at the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The sheer elegance of the theatre was breathtaking. And guess what? As I sat back in my plush seat, admiring the beautifully dressed audience, I saw it: a young girl wearing a lovely pink tutu. Isn't it fantastic, how we continue to see this exquisite artistry inspire generation after generation!
As the weekend rolls in, I'll be adding a touch of that Parisian flair to my own tutu wardrobe! Imagine an elegant tulle dress in a soft shade of rose, flowing down like a cascading waterfall - the dream, I tell you! There is a pink tutu out there for every girl! Don't forget to share your own tutu creations on social media and tag #PinkTutu. I always love seeing what you lovely ladies are up to!
Until next #TutuTuesday, keep twirling, darling dancers, keep twirling!
Love,
Emma xx
