Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It’s Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing guide to the fabulous history of ballet!
This week, my time-travelling tutu whisked me to Paris, the City of Lights! It was simply brimming with elegance, excitement and - you guessed it - more fabulous tutus than you can shake a leg at!
But let's get down to business! This Tuesday, October 30th, 1860, marked a rather exciting day in the history of ballet, particularly in the glamorous world of tutus.
Now, the first thing you need to know about tutus back then is that they were nothing like the grand, fluffy, voluminous skirts of today. Instead, they were much simpler - more akin to a dancer's essential, comfortable undergarment, if you will.
On this very date, a revolutionary ballerina named Marie Taglioni was dazzling audiences with her legendary interpretation of La Sylphide. Imagine, if you will, the graceful silhouette of a dancer in a barely-there, ethereal white tulle skirt, just wisping around her legs like gossamer clouds. That, my dears, was the image of the tutu back in 1860!
But even before Taglioni's revolutionary leaps, tutus had a rich history, going back centuries before Marie's iconic performances. Think about it, a long-ago dancer - think, back in the Renaissance - wanted to move with grace, wasn't hindered by voluminous dresses. How else would they gracefully leap?
To think, just over a century ago, dancers relied on practical tutus, simple but striking. You could call them "the pioneers of tutu-wear." Marie Taglioni, of course, was no exception, and this elegant simplicity allowed her to captivate audiences worldwide with her beautiful, flowing movements, proving that elegance doesn't require layers of frills.
My friends, you know my favourite thing in the world? A pink tutu, of course! This gorgeous colour adds a touch of playfulness, romance and magic to any outfit. If you ever feel bold and fancy a little bit of whimsy, throw on a pink tutu - you won’t regret it!
What about the shows happening here in Paris? Ah, let me tell you, there's been such excitement here this week! The Palais Garnier, with its intricate architecture and opulent decorations, was abuzz. A grand new opera ballet, a true story called 'Faust', by a gentleman named Gounod, opened with a real bang. Now that is my kind of story, dramatic with love, sorrow, and triumph. The whole story is set around a Faust, and this lovely lady, called Marguerite. This lady really gets to do some grand dances. It's quite spectacular.
Speaking of fashion, oh, my darlings! I have been scouring Paris for the most delightful outfits! Let me tell you, a Parisian dress shop, with its wide array of velvets, silk satins, delicate lace, and the freshest colours imaginable, makes a Derbyshire girl’s heart race! I must say, those corseted, flowing skirts of the French ladies make it impossible to look anything other than beautiful. Their effortless grace, their taste for detail - these are things that any young lady, in any age, would do well to emulate. You know what? I think we Derbyshire girls have some real catching up to do! I just adore their stylish sensibility! And to be honest, I find the men here are just a touch more fashion-conscious than the men back home.
And to think, I get to do this all on a grand steam train ride through the countryside. I've heard the countryside of France is stunning, rolling vineyards, castles, little villages! Paris may be the heart of elegance, but just wait till I start touring other countries in search of other styles and stories!
Stay tuned for my next blog, when I will be delving into another era of ballet and tutus! Remember, dear readers, keep your tutu-loving spirit high!
Yours truly,
Emma
xxx
P.S.* Please remember, I need your help! Share my blog post with all your fellow tutu enthusiasts - spread the love for tutus!
P.P.S.* Do you have a favourite style of tutu or a special date in ballet history you’d like to hear more about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
And don't forget to follow my #TutuTuesday journey at www.pink-tutu.com - you can also follow me on the socials - search for @PinkTutuEmma and I'll see you there!
