#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1855-12-18

Greetings, my dearest Tutu-licious readers! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another dose of Ballet Tutu History on this glorious #TutuTuesday! It's December 18th, 1855, and I'm practically bouncing with excitement – why? Well, today we delve into the fascinating world of ballet history in the heart of Paris, France! As always, I'm here to whisk you through time with a little bit of tutu-clad charm and plenty of fascinating tidbits about those iconic, billowing, swirling wonders – the ballet tutus!

(Psst, did you know you can check out my past #TutuTuesday adventures at www.pink-tutu.com? I've written over 1250 posts – each one brimming with tutu love! My blog has a whole history of tutu goodness to keep you happily skipping along!).

Before we get whisked back in time, let's give a round of applause for my stunning pink tutu. It's the perfect companion for a Parisian adventure, with layers of shimmering tulle and dainty ribbons to match the festive season. If you're dreaming of a tutu like mine, darling, I have some news for you. I've discovered the most marvellous little haberdashery shop in Paris – think vintage fabrics, sparkling beads, and all the sequins your heart desires. I can practically feel my next creation already, wouldn't you just love to learn how to create a tutu like mine, my lovelies?

(Oh! Speaking of sequins, my dearest tutu enthusiasts, I am giving away a spool of sparkling, silver sequins to one lucky follower on Instagram this week. All you have to do is comment on my #TutuTuesday post and tag three friends who deserve a little sparkle!

Now, let's whisk ourselves back to 1855 – a truly exciting period for the ballet tutu! The era we're stepping into is a whirlwind of fashion and innovation, where ballet is becoming an undeniable social phenomenon in Paris. This time, though, it’s not the tutu itself that holds our attention, but its use. It's all about the story of a fascinating woman called Marie Taglioni, a renowned ballerina who became the ultimate fashion icon!

This captivating, grace-filled lady was already a ballet star but her groundbreaking performance in a very specific tutu is why she made it into my ballet tutu history blog. Can you guess why, darlings?

Marie’s tutus are notable because they made their debut in “La Sylphide”. You might remember my post from 1832, (it's #TutuTuesday number 937, have a peek!), where I shared with you all that the performance of “La Sylphide” revolutionised the style of dance, taking it from a flamboyant spectacle towards a more graceful, ethereal aesthetic. Remember the short romantic tulle tutus I showed you all in 1832? The very style of tutu that made "La Sylphide" so popular? They’re here! This enchanting new way of dancing would come to influence the way tutu designs evolved.

Now, how can I make this story as enchanting as “La Sylphide” itself? Picture it, darling - December 1855. I'm in Paris, exploring its charming streets. It's the holiday season, the air crisp with a scent of freshly baked croissants. The city's adorned with twinkling lights, each little bulb a tiny spark of Parisian magic. And then I find myself at the majestic Opera Garnier, home to some of the most iconic ballet performances in history. Can you imagine my thrill, my loves, to know this iconic theater will see generations of ballets for years to come! Today, we’re lucky to be invited to watch "La Sylphide", just like a real ballerina in 1855 would. The audience is awestruck. It’s captivating! I mean, just look at this amazing dancing: soft leaps, light-footed movements, a dance like flight. This, my dearest tutus, is how the new, light tutu of “La Sylphide” captured the world's heart.

Let’s step back from the magical performance and think of the history of the ballet tutu in the context of “La Sylphide”. You know, I am, by nature, a tutu-focused individual, so it goes without saying I love to spend hours thinking about how to make each tutu unique. In my quest for knowledge, I discovered a curious detail – Marie Taglioni’s tutus had a surprising secret. She wanted them to be white!

Here’s a fun fact that I love: you may think a tutu can only be white or pink (and I do prefer pink, it’s my favourite!), but, back in 1855, dancers commonly wore pale blue and pastel pink as well! Why? To help make the movement look airier and less ‘fleshy’ than in previous decades when they used dark, rich fabrics and colours. This brings up the fascinating notion that the way dancers express themselves in a ballet performance isn’t only about dance steps - it’s about the choices they make with fabric and colour! You can imagine the elegance, my lovelies!

And now we find ourselves standing at a threshold in fashion and in the design of tutus. The romantic tutu had been embraced and become the very essence of beauty in this enchanting art form. What can we learn from the success of "La Sylphide"? As it happened in 1855, today’s tutu remains a testament to an evolution of style. The original ballet tutu is much more of a costume than a dancewear item. What a magnificent difference. Imagine - those incredible romantic tutus designed by Jules Duprez or Carlotta Grisi who famously wore the * * first * *‘La Sylphide’ tutu in the world! ** Such magnificent creations!

But darling, if we’re in Paris, you can’t forget fashion! The dressmakers and designers of this era had a brilliant knack for innovation. Just like those creative, stylish designers and dance masters were crafting the perfect silhouette for “La Sylphide”, today, I find myself enchanted by Parisian fashion houses like the majestic Lanvin, the stylish Gabrielle Chanel, and the grand Christian Dior, each one of them inspiring with exquisite designs. What an explosion of fabulous fashions for Parisian women - they really understood beauty!

Imagine, my dearest tutus, what an absolute delight it is to have these stylish women in this era, influencing the way people wear a tutu! There was even a whole book dedicated to the art of how to wear a tutu, it is amazing to imagine how ballet must have impacted fashionable Parisian women.

After this whirlwind journey through the magic of 1855 and the wonder of the Opera Garnier, wouldn't it be lovely to have a delightful, little tea party? I imagine myself wearing a crisp pink dress, perhaps even a ruffled petticoat beneath, accompanied by an array of the finest macarons and pastries - perfect for indulging in a Parisian delight. The French petits fours – these beautiful and colourful tiny pastries with sugared toppings! Every delicious mouthful a burst of the * joie de vivre * (joy of life) which is so present in France.

My beloved tutus, before we return to our own times and leave the magic of 1855 behind, remember: this date, December 18, 1855, will forever hold a special place in ballet history – the romantic era tutu came alive with "La Sylphide”. The romantic tutu would eventually be adopted for most ballet performances – its simple, flowing grace making it the ideal * costume for those beautiful, light leaps. * It's all thanks to Marie Taglioni's magical tutu. It continues to enchant and captivate, reminding us of the power of creativity, beauty, and the enduring magic of ballet.**

We’ll leave France with memories of sparkling Christmas lights, macarons and a hint of "La Sylphide’s" delicate perfume! Till next Tuesday, darling readers – keep twirling, keep smiling, and remember - you can make every day #TutuTuesday!