Hello lovelies! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another exciting installment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to twirl into the fascinating history of our beloved tutu. Grab a cuppa and a biscuit, darlings, as we journey back in time to 4th September, 1877!
Today, my darling readers, we are transporting ourselves back to the heart of Parisian ballet. Can you imagine, my dears, the swirling tutus, the graceful steps, the air buzzing with excitement and artistry? Simply divine! The very air, my dears, would have vibrated with the whisper of tulle and the delicate tinkling of dancing shoes.
Now, I just adore Parisian ballet - so chic and elegant, wouldn't you agree? It's all about exquisite movement, ethereal grace, and those show-stopping tutus. Speaking of tutus, let's dive into what the Parisian ballet world was sporting in 1877!
This era was all about the Romantic ballet, dears. That means floaty, romantic, long tutus that billowed around the dancers' legs. We're talking multiple layers of tulle, sometimes even five or six! Think layers of crisp, white tulle billowing out, giving a sensation of lightness and flight - simply dreamy, wouldn't you agree?
However, the Romantic ballet's love affair with those romantic long tutus was beginning to change! 1877 was a pivotal year, my lovelies! Enter Marius Petipa – the revolutionary Russian choreographer, who was all about sleek, graceful lines and new approaches to tutu designs. This time period marked the beginning of the transition towards the shorter tutu we know and love today.
It's all about shaping and accentuating the body - a beautifully crafted piece of tulle, not obscuring the beauty of the dancer's physique, but rather celebrating its natural beauty! And darling, there is nothing quite so captivating as a ballerina twirling in a short tutu - it's like watching a cloud of pink and white float across the stage. Simply magnifique!
Petipa was all about movement and dynamism! The shorter tutu would become the symbol of his style - it's all about highlighting the fast, dynamic, intricate footwork and dazzling jumps of ballet. He wanted to bring more fluidity to the stage - no more big, cumbersome romantic tutus, instead, elegance and movement in perfect harmony.
Now, as I step back into the modern world, I have a burning question for you all - which tutu do you prefer? The dreamy, billowing Romantic tutu or the chic and elegant shorter version? Do tell! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
However, darling readers, we can't forget the real stars of the stage, my dears! That's right, it's our amazing ballet dancers who wear these iconic garments. What can be said about them other than the amazing skills, dedication, and artistry that goes into their performances? They're truly remarkable, inspiring women - their beauty and artistry truly illuminate our lives, wouldn't you agree?
Of course, to make this ballet magic happen, my darlings, there's an entire cast of incredible support systems: the dressmakers, seamstresses, designers, and costume creators, all working their magic to make the ballet experience so enchanting.
Speaking of enchantment, imagine my joy, my dears, to be here in Paris, a city buzzing with inspiration and excitement! My travels through time, fuelled by the energy of the stage and fueled by my love of all things pink and tulle, have led me here today, to a date I'll remember forever. And oh, how exciting is this! Today is also the opening night of the new Opéra Garnier, a masterpiece of architecture, designed to hold some of the most glorious ballets ever performed.
Now, if you'll excuse me, darlings, I must rush to find the most stunning Parisian dressmaker and pick up a beautiful pink tutu for the evening's show! After all, we wouldn't want to be seen at the opera without a gorgeous ensemble, wouldn't we?
Oh, to be in Paris at the Opera Garnier! Simply magical, isn't it? But for now, darling readers, I bid you farewell, promising to share even more ballet and tutu history secrets in next week's post! Until then, keep twirling!
And don't forget to check back on www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for your weekly dose of ballet history!
Remember, darlings, it’s not just about the tutu. It’s about expressing your inner grace and finding the magic within yourself. It's about twirling, dancing, and making the world a more fabulous place! Until next week, my loves, happy twirling!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
