Hey lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure, taking us on a whirl through time to the dazzling world of 1865! This week we're skipping right past the petticoats and bustles (though those have their own charm, darling) and diving headfirst into the exciting world of ballet â a world that was just starting to bloom into the vibrant spectacle we know and adore today.
Let's hop aboard the time-traveling carriage and take a trip back to 1865. You know, that year when the wonderful Marie Taglioni graced the stage and completely captivated audiences with her ethereal beauty and those amazing tutus!
Oh, you didn't know about Marie? Allow me to introduce you. Now, Marie was an absolute star. Her debut in 1832 in âLa Sylphideâ was the talk of the town. She just floated around the stage, those little tutus creating such a sense of lightness and magic! You couldn't help but be captivated. And let's be honest, her dancing in that tutus is pure perfection, don't you think?
Imagine a theatre packed with expectant faces, gasps and whispers at every move, and a young, captivating dancer dressed in what could only be described as exquisite and revolutionary. She was not just a dancer; she was a goddess in that fluffy, ethereal pink!
Of course, even a goddess needs her clothing designer! In Marie's case, it was none other than Eugène Lamy, a genius who actually had the foresight to design what would eventually evolve into the modern ballet tutu! Thatâs right, this was a turning point in ballet fashion, and we are eternally grateful. It changed how ballet was performed and viewed, freeing up the dancers to move with even more grace and agility!
Now, 1865 is when this fabulous garment really starts to take hold. Think of all those fabulous performances by ballerinas with even more flowing, swishing movement than ever before! That's thanks to Eugène Lamy. The era of romantic ballet was on its way and with it, tutuland!
I have to admit that those tutus of that era were not quite as gloriously voluminous and pink as they are now. But you can definitely see the foundations of what became the ballet world's most beloved outfit! It was an era of experimentation and refinement. From those delicate skirts in Marie's âLa Sylphideâ we get that flowing, exquisite tulle which graces the stages of the world today. I just adore the whole design history - it's an intricate tale woven through creativity, technique and of course, the pure artistry of ballet!
This week in 1865, ballet wasn't quite the mainstream phenomenon that it is today. Ballet was starting to really establish itself, but it was mainly for the privileged few â though everyone else was definitely talking about it. The era of Grands Ballets, which Marie so gracefully started, is taking hold and everyone wants a taste of the enchanting artform. And letâs not forget that La Esmeralda is one of the biggest hits, just absolutely dazzling everyone on the stage!
But, imagine this â even if you werenât at a performance in 1865, ballet was everywhere! It was a fascinating and very fashionable way to pass the time. And speaking of time, donât forget the incredible fashion sense of 1865! There was a focus on detail and the Victorian era really loved the use of contrasting colour palettes for fabrics! A serious amount of elegance all around!
Of course, you might be asking, âEmma, what were the tutus like back then? Give us a sneak peek!â Oh, my dears! Letâs just say they were more structured - quite fitted to the legs with the bodice much fuller than you'd expect! Imagine it - the elegant, long, cascading skirts reaching down almost to the floor in full bloom! A lot of frills and fabric were the fashion back then! I dare say weâll need to do another whole blog just on Victorian tutus at some point - there's just so much history there!
If you are anything like me, you might find yourself just a little bit jealous of those ladies in 1865 who got to see Marie Taglioni in a beautiful Lamy-designed tutu. It sounds absolutely magical! But donât worry! You can experience the wonders of a beautiful ballet and tutu yourself anytime you want. Just head to your nearest theatre, slip on your pink tutu and enjoy a magical evening of graceful artistry. Thatâs exactly what Iâm planning to do - a beautiful dance class with a dash of tulle, just a dash of glitter!
And, as for my plans to convert the entire world to the beauty and joy of the pink tutuâŚwell, I've been busy creating the cutest tutu outfits with pink flowers sewn in for that extra something! Now, I don't know about you, but if I had a time machine, I'd grab that fluffy, gorgeous pink tutu and head back to 1865 and teach those lovely ladies how to dance in a little more fluff. You know what they say, âgo big or go homeâ - especially when it comes to pink tutus, darlings!
Until next Tuesday,
Your fabulous time-traveling ballerina blogger, Emma xx
