Greetings from your favourite tutu-loving time traveller! It’s Emma here, bringing you another dose of #TutuTuesday history, straight from the archives of my vintage fashion scrapbook!
Today we're stepping back in time to 29th August 1871. Oh, the excitement! We're on the brink of something magical in the world of ballet! Just imagine, my dear readers, all those elegant tulle layers twirling around Paris.
Now, this week, my darling readers, it is simply positively divine! I found myself in the heart of the Parisian fashion scene. The air crackles with anticipation, a sort of excitement you only feel before the curtain goes up at the ballet! What's more, today marks a milestone in ballet history - the very first performance of "La Source", at the Opera de Paris, choreographed by none other than Arthur Saint-Léon!
But wait, Emma! You say 'milestone'. Tell us what this milestone actually IS?!
You see, dear readers, "La Source" was no ordinary ballet! It brought us a groundbreaking, oh-so-fabulous fashion moment! The ladies of the corps de ballet were all wearing new tutues!
Yes, darling, tutu-tut-tut!! A real breakthrough for the style and elegance we know and love!
Now, this isn’t your everyday tutu. It’s something different, a whole new look. You know I can’t keep a secret like this, so here it is... it was the first time the tutu was shortened! Gone were the days of long, flowing layers that dragged across the stage. Now we’ve got something that shows off the ballerina's legs in all their glorious length.
And imagine, darling! This new short tutu style became a sensation overnight. I hear whispers about dancers wanting to mimic the elegance, the lightness, the femininity! I hear it on every corner, everyone talking about how it gave the dancers a chance to leap and twirl with greater freedom, grace, and style.
Let’s go on a fashion adventure back in time, my lovely ladies! Picture it: Imagine a white satin bodice - oh, how perfect it looked against the backdrop of that stunning tutu! A real fairytale! Now you have those short layers, those gossamer-like swishes of tulle floating, almost flying, above those lithe, perfectly-toned limbs... how divine! It simply exudes effortless grace. I want to be in the moment, don't you?
I do confess, however, the reaction wasn’t universally enthusiastic. Some grumbled about the daring length, calling it scandalous. Can you imagine, my darling readers?! The audacity! I don't think anything could stop the tide of fashion. Change, dear readers, is inevitable, and always for the better!
Anyway, we can all agree that it was a big moment for ballet! And to this day, this style continues to evolve and inspire. What I love about it - just look at those leaps and turns, and those exquisite petits battements in the adagio!
You see, this change ushered in a new era of grace and movement on stage. The ballerinas had to work a little harder to control those short tutus, especially when it comes to making them float. Floating! That’s exactly what it looks like. My heart soars just watching!
Oh, this really brings home just how revolutionary change can be in ballet. What would the future hold? A constant flow of changes - perhaps a new style, or a brand-new colour of tulle?! Who knows what the world of ballet will see next!
But this brings me to my little reminder for you! Remember, every week here on Pink Tutu.com, we take a look back through time, all thanks to me! That’s right, every Tuesday we take a peek into history! There is such a lot of wonder in these stories. The ballet itself has been a whirlwind of colour, culture, change and above all, excitement for hundreds of years! Don’t miss a single Tuesday here on www.pink-tutu.com !
Now, off to take my daily pirouette! Have a fabulous week, and until next Tuesday… wear a pink tutu!
Love,
Emma xx
