Hello my darling dears, and welcome to another #TutuTuesday here on pink-tutu.com! Iām Emma, your pink-tutu-clad time travelling guide to all things ballet. Today, dear reader, we're stepping back in time, to a date that shall forever be etched in our hearts, 24th May 1859. Buckle up your slippers, because today, my lovelies, we're waltzing our way into a world of elegant innovation!
This week marks my 1430th #TutuTuesday post, can you believe it? Iāve been travelling through the eras, collecting historical tutus like rare jewels, and I'm just as enthralled with this journey as the day I first stepped into a tutu as a little girl in Derbyshire. It was a soft, pale pink number, and I knew instantly, I was destined for the stage.
Now, let's get back to the date at hand: May 24th 1859. The world was ablaze with creativity, dear reader! London, Paris, Vienna, New York ā these buzzing centres of civilization were teeming with new artistic trends, especially in the theatre! It was an era of change, and the dance world, oh it was definitely embracing it.
Imagine a time where tutus were just starting to embrace that magical āRomanticā era aesthetic! The full skirts were getting wider, they were adding layers of gauzy fabrics ā youād get lost in a swirl of white, a blush of pink, a soft cascade of the finest silk! The emphasis, like with so many fashion trends, was on flowing, graceful lines, almost as if to mirror the lightness and expressiveness of the dancers.
This period, you see, marked a very important moment for tutus: the rise of the ātutu romantique.ā Now, if you are familiar with ballet history, my dear lovelies, you already know that this wasn't a total game-changer like the invention of the tutu itself, but, darling, it did represent a massive shift in the aesthetic. These tutus, instead of just emphasizing a graceful silhouette, started to evoke poetic dreams! Think of the light dancing across those layered fabrics! Itās so captivating to see, darling. It was a breathtaking departure from the rigid, classical form of the earlier tutus, and it certainly did a lot to emphasize the femininity of the ballerina.
Imagine seeing dancers floating across the stage, seemingly weightless in their graceful leaps and elegant twirls! Itās quite frankly enchanting! Can you picture it? This change, my darlings, not only emphasized the romantic ideal in dance, but also played a huge role in helping the ballet reach new heights in the artistic realm - donāt you think that's just fabulous?!
Oh! You know what, I am getting a little sidetracked ā forgive me, I always do when I start chatting about those captivating tutu designs. Anyway, back to 24th May 1859! Now, on this very date in history, we wouldn't necessarily see a revolutionary change in tutu design, but darling, we did have a treat for all you lovely dance fans:
On 24th May 1859, in Vienna, the prestigious Vienna Opera House was hosting none other than La Sylphide, a ballet, oh my dear, it's a legend, darling, for showcasing tutus in their prime. This production, with its captivating story and those absolutely breathtaking ballet costumes, really helped launch the ātutu romantiqueā era to even more dazzling heights!
You see, the tutus featured in La Sylphide were the epitome of Romantic beauty: those dreamy layers, light as a feather, cascading down like a cloud, shimmering in a range of pastels that would make you swoon! It was revolutionary for its time! That's the power of fashion and theatre combined, my loves! They can change the whole world and they can certainly change the entire fashion world - what more can I say?!
Let me tell you a bit about La Sylphide, my dears. Now, you wouldnāt be amiss if you thought the whole story was a little preposterous. We have James, a young man, head over heels for a lovely country lass ā so far, so predictable, right? Well, he's betrothed to a girl with a name like Effie ā I tell you darling, nothing like the sound of "Sylphide", never would she win an elegant dance contest, am I right? La Sylphide herself is not just some ordinary girl. Oh no! La Sylphide is an ethereal spirit, an essence of the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands, all light and flowing movement! Effie should be terrified.
Imagine the setting: Scotland in the 18th century ā a picturesque stage setting full of those iconic Highland hills and, darling, I swear those mountains are a backdrop straight out of a fairytale! So you have a beautiful setting, lovely clothes, an enthralling ballet.
That beautiful dance sequence where the lead ballerina dances a beautiful ballet in a tutu thatās, darling, an almost weightless veil, that is absolutely captivating! The way she dances, the sheer skill, those steps and that costume, well, it's so evocative, like sheās about to take flight!
Oh, I do so love these early Romantic ballerinas ā there was a unique blend of innocence, strength and passion! They had true *joie de vivre. That was one of my biggest dreams growing up - to take flight just like that. What a magnificent art form it is, ballet.
Now, where was I, darling? Ah yes, 24th May 1859. That's right! It was a night full of wonder, a celebration of beauty.
I, my lovelies, as a little time-travelling tutu-obsessed soul, felt a real buzz as I stepped into that theater! What an enchanting moment! All these fashionistas and theater fans gathered in Viennaās Opera House for this enchanting performance. There I was, dancing through the centuries, taking notes, swooning over the ballet designs.
And my darling dears, thatās what you will experience when you explore the fashion and history of the ātutu romantiqueā ā not just a fashion trend but a breathtaking artistic movement that continues to inspire us all today!
If youāre searching for a great way to connect to this timeless magic, darling, check out a performance near you. Get your dancing shoes on and enjoy every moment!
And for next week's #TutuTuesday, we'll be doing something rather different. Iām planning a tour of a most captivating historical ballet studio ā I promise, there are some true treasures to be seen.
Until then, wear pink!
Always and forever, Emma
