Hello, my darling tutu enthusiasts! It’s Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, we’re pirouetting our way back to the year 1860! Imagine, a world without tutus… unthinkable! I mean, we can’t forget these tutus have been our constant companion for so long.
This is post number 1504 (and still counting!) in my Tutu Tuesday series, a weekly peek into the world of these delightful frocks of fluff and frills. Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and tell your friends - the more tutus the merrier!
Let's hop aboard the time train to take a twirl back in time. Now, picture this. London, 1860 – it's autumn, the air crisp and the leaves just starting to turn, and in the heart of the city, ballet is beginning to take its first grand steps.
It's been a thrilling week of rehearsals and premieres! Oh my! London, or more specifically the Royal Opera House ( Covent Garden back then), was buzzing with excitement as it awaited the most splendid show to open, La Sylphide. Imagine – all those delicate steps, and those grand costumes!
Today, we have a particularly special occasion. Not just a dance performance, but the arrival of the iconic dancer, Marie Taglioni. Did I mention she was quite the celebrity at the time?! Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of her, just as much as her stunning costume designed by Auguste Lançon for the Ballet, which was truly groundbreaking. It was a white tulle skirt that stretched from just below the waist to the ankles, with a deeply fitted bodice, something unlike anything the world had seen before!
I just adore a fitted bodice - so wonderfully figure-flattering. The skirt's flowing lines gave a beautifully graceful shape to her movement. Just magnificent, and, what's more, the fabric had a wonderfully ethereal, weightless feel. The entire ensemble, a sheer, romantic masterpiece.
As a ballet-mad traveller, it’s my job to delve into history and tell you all about tutus - from the big tutus to the ones designed for the petite, oh-so-petite ballerinas, like myself! I love a big, billowing tulle skirt but adore seeing how these costumes have evolved, from those grand, ethereal pieces of the past, to the daringly innovative, modern designs that I love wearing today. I have such a wonderful time collecting antique fabrics in time-travel! Imagine how beautiful those fabrics from back in the day looked as they flowed through the air.
So, imagine with me – the lights of the stage in London's Royal Opera House. Ooh the grand chandelier and ooh those rows of plush seats with the whispers of excited onlookers! As Taglioni takes to the stage, her tulle tutu practically glows, and you can see that weightless, graceful dance, those iconic steps. Every move is as dazzling as her outfit, both the costume and the dancer are quite a spectacle, I can't even imagine the crowd's gasps and 'ahhhhhs' *
But this tutu is much more than just a dress! It’s a symbol, isn't it? A symbol of the passion for dance, for grace, and for beauty! It represents the spirit of the ballet – a beautiful dance, one full of power and elegance!
That's why, today, 200 years after Marie Taglioni's first appearance, we’re still mesmerised by the beauty and grace of tutus. It truly represents the power of feminine expression – through dance, through artistry, and, yes, through a fabulous dress!
As I leave you for now, let's continue this delightful conversation on www.pink-tutu.com and keep those creative thoughts flowing!
Stay pink and glamorous, darling friends, until next week's #TutuTuesday ! And don't forget, life's better with a pink tutu!
This blog post is just a beginning, with the word count in mind. You can further embellish this blog with photos, personal anecdotes about your ballet trips to London, thoughts about the modern version of tutus, and links to other content on your blog or relevant websites! Feel free to expand on this base and weave in your own experiences and creative flair. Let your tutu imagination flow!
