Hello, darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and welcome to post #2181 of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog!
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Today’s journey has taken me to the breathtaking heart of Paris, France! It's the 14th of October 1873, and the city is absolutely buzzing with energy. I can just imagine the fashionable Parisians swirling about in their gorgeous dresses, with all their elegant bonnets and parasols - just like me, only with more fabric! I'm here, however, for one reason: to peek into the history of ballet and its gorgeous costumes - the tutus!
Today, my darlings, is all about Marie Taglioni. Do you recognise the name? You should! She was one of the greatest ballerinas of the 19th century, a true icon! Born in Stockholm, Marie’s love for ballet shone through from a young age. She trained with her father, Filippo Taglioni, himself a celebrated dancer, and the two of them soon created quite the stir in the world of ballet.
But it wasn't just Marie's stunning technique and graceful performance that drew attention; it was also the way she dressed. Marie was known for introducing the first ever real, "true" ballet tutu, a revolution in costume design! This short, knee-length tutu was a far cry from the heavy, layered skirts of the past. It gave dancers much more freedom of movement, allowing them to soar and twirl with a newfound lightness that simply blew audiences away. It was a revolutionary design that set the stage (literally!) for the elegant and expressive styles we love today.
But remember, the world was very different back then, so while the length was revolutionary, the tutu's fabric was still pretty restrictive, being made of multiple layers of tulle for maximum fluffiness! Still, just imagine how much this stunning, revolutionary design must have electrified audiences.
Speaking of captivating audiences, just picture this: I'm enjoying a delectable Parisian breakfast at a cafe - croissants and coffee, my dear! The sun is streaming through the windows and everything just feels so elegant and magical, very haute couture as we say. As I nibble on my croissant, my eyes catch sight of a newspaper headline. Oh, the gossip! Turns out, Marie Taglioni herself is to perform at the prestigious Opéra Garnier later today! My oh my, how lucky can I get! I just have to witness this performance and see her magnificent tutu with my own eyes.
My dear darlings, I just know I'll be positively mesmerised by her graceful movements and, of course, the beautiful, billowing silhouette of her tutu!
Think about it, this revolution in design isn’t just about beautiful outfits; it’s about female empowerment. About showcasing the power of graceful movement. Isn’t it beautiful?
Stay tuned for next week's blog where we will be heading back further in time, to investigate some even older ballet tutus!
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #MarieTaglioni #BalletCostume
And of course, my dearest friends, if you are enjoying my #TutuTuesday blog then be sure to sign up for updates and share this with your loved ones, friends, family - and anyone you know! You can also come and say hello to me over at my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, and maybe you'll even convince me to join you on one of my next adventures!
Love, love, love, Emma xx
P.S: And if you have a chance to try on a pink tutu, why not?! I promise, you’ll love it, too. 😊 We’ll make sure you pick one to suit you - every single one of us is worthy of a magical, pink, tulle explosion, don’t you think? Just ask any girl! 💖
