Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, back for another whirlwind trip through #TutuTuesday! Today, we're going way back in time - gasp - to 1875! Can you even imagine? I'm so excited to share the secrets of ballet history with you. Now, before we go too far back, you know my #1 rule: Pink tutus always make everything better! And when you see what was considered fashionable back then, you'll see exactly why my pink tutu mission is SO important!
This week, I boarded the most fabulous steam train. You wouldn't BELIEVE the luxurious velvet seats! They even had special compartments for your little bag of bonbons (I, of course, chose chocolate-covered cherries – a delicious indulgence, if I do say so myself).
We disembarked in the heart of Paris, France, the hub of the most beautiful, elegant fashion! Now, as I wander the cobblestone streets, I'm already feeling a bit lost, but don't worry! That's what time travel is all about: adventures, discoveries, and lots of twirling, of course!
Okay, so you want to know what's special about the date 1875-01-19? This is a very important date in ballet history! Now, let's imagine it's the late 1870s – Think: long, flowing dresses, elaborate hats, and, well, everything is pretty constricting! I mean, imagine trying to prance around a stage in THAT kind of clothing! No thanks! You’d need the strength of a super hero just to move! I know we've all been there. Sometimes I look at vintage photos of ballerinas and they seem to wear corsets underneath their tulle and everything just seems... so heavy and confining. It seems like they must have spent so much time training their core.
Speaking of super heroes, we all have one to thank for pushing fashion - and ballet - in a direction more comfortable and, dare I say it, a lot more tutu-rific! It's our friend, the fabulous, the legendary, the one and only - drumroll - Marie Taglioni!
Let’s take a time-warp back to her legacy, darling:
She's famous for, amongst other things, wearing a short skirt on stage. Yes, you read that right, short skirts on stage in 1832!! * I can't tell you how much she inspired me - just imagine a stage filled with graceful dancers twirling and spinning in something lighter, freer. *That's the power of change, darlings. Imagine how hard she must have fought against tradition! Talk about taking a chance for the greater good of, dare I say, fashion revolution?!
Let's just say that what we know of a “tutu” today would be unheard of to Marie, and that she would probably be SO thrilled with the modern adaptations! Even with this revolutionary fashion shift, the early tutus still wouldn't look quite like what you would picture. In fact, most would still be quite a bit longer, almost like a ballerina-style petticoat! We've still got some catching up to do, my lovely readers! * *
Let's bring the story to the late 1870s: Imagine a Parisian theatre, full of bright lights and velvet curtains - they’re putting on an absolutely dazzling show at the Paris Opera Ballet! It’s just after midnight, and the applause is still ringing in my ears - how wonderful is ballet? Imagine all the performers onstage wearing tutus that slightly more resemble what we imagine a tutu to look like! It’s a far cry from those restrictive, long skirts! You can even see a hint of the ballerina look we know and love today – it’s truly revolutionary! I have to say, the romantic tutu as they called it back then really looked dazzling! You know me - I am all about the dazzling!
So, you can see why Marie Taglioni was the QUEEN of tutu style in 1875! Even though the tutus were still a little less daring and much more modest compared to the styles today - we have her to thank! This is why she remains such a ballet icon. And don't even get me started on those ballerinas in that era! I am talking serious poise and athleticism – they have to have the endurance to make that ballet magic work! Just as much of a strength feat as being able to carry my big, fabulous, pink tulle tutus. We know what you’re thinking, darling: If these women had the fashion sense to ditch those long skirts, they could’ve added a dash of pink tulle into the mix – how fabulous would that have been?!*
I have to admit - for all my love for those voluminous tutus, they’ve come a long way since the 1870s! My mission to revolutionise ballet fashion with my signature pink tutu is very similar! And what I love most about the early ballerinas was their incredible commitment to artistic expression, all the way back to Marie Taglioni! Those early dancers were pioneering for our generation of ballerinas – you know what they say about making your dreams come true: Be the change! ** *This is our legacy!
Alright, my darling readers! Let’s have a little tutu-rific discussion! What are some things you wish you could time-travel back to 1875 and show them?! Don't forget to tell me how you wear your #PinkTutu!
See you next Tuesday, darlings!
XOXO
Emma
