#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1884-09-30

Dearest fellow Tutu enthusiasts, welcome back to #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! I'm Emma, your pink-tutu-clad time-travelling correspondent, and today we're taking a trip to Paris, the beating heart of ballet! It's September 30th, 1884, and the air is buzzing with excitement. We're at the Opéra Garnier, a truly grand and spectacular venue.

You wouldn't believe the opulent grandeur of this theatre! It's simply stunning. Every detail, from the shimmering chandeliers to the plush red velvet seats, makes you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale. And speaking of fairytales, today we're about to see a most remarkable performance. A new production of La Bayadère is opening tonight! This is a truly iconic ballet, and tonight, we're seeing a very special new choreography by Marius Petipa. It's said he's added some particularly impressive scenes to the third act – imagine!

The anticipation is thick in the air. The Parisian crowd is known for its style and elegance. Ladies in elaborate gowns, gentlemen in fine suits, and of course, the dancers! They glide by, in the softest tulle, like shimmering wisps of air. Tutus, dear readers, are definitely the stars of the show!

And talking of stars, have you heard of the one and only Marie Taglioni? She's practically the Queen of Ballet. Now, this exquisite dancer has retired, but oh, wouldn't it be fabulous to have seen her grace the stage? She revolutionised ballet! She popularised the romantic style of dance – graceful, airy, full of passion! All those wonderful qualities that are mirrored in a beautiful ballet tutu.

Let me tell you a little secret: it was the romantic movement of the 1800s that changed the game for ballet costumes. Prior to this, ladies danced in elaborate, restrictive dresses, but those wonderful ballerinas like Marie Taglioni wanted to express themselves freely, to flow and leap. Enter the tutu!

This remarkable, elegant piece of clothing is all about freedom and elegance. Imagine that lovely skirt billowing out as a dancer pirouettes – isn't that simply breathtaking? Now, imagine the joy and lightness, the sheer delight of swirling in a beautiful pink tutu. Just divine!

This style of costume gave rise to those enchanting tutus that are so recognisable today. We wouldn't have all those incredible dances – the delicate en pointes and grand jetés - without it! It’s amazing to think how much our lives, how much fashion, are shaped by this extraordinary creation.

But tutus, you see, are much more than a simple dance costume. It’s like an artist's canvas – each dancer breathes her own style and personality into every twist and twirl. And don't get me started on the glorious colours!

This year's hot colour is a shade of pink, quite pale and delicate - just perfect for this season's new ballets. There's nothing quite like the delicate touch of pink tulle to create that romantic feeling. It's almost like whispering, “Don't you dare leave, please linger here in this moment, in this beautiful, timeless dance!"

Now, let's rewind a little and think about where it all began. Tutur history! Did you know that the very first tutus weren't quite so grand? Imagine that! They were quite simple and made with multiple layers of light material, like linen, and it would be difficult for a modern dancer to even attempt some of the leaps of the Romantic era with these. We had to have quite a bit of trial and error to get it right. Think of how many people had to create something that allowed these elegant, agile movements to be seen on stage. It’s incredible!

Speaking of extraordinary events, don't miss Le Sacre du Printemps coming next year! This ballet was created in 1913 by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and the choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. That year's premiere caused an absolute sensation! And you won’t believe the story surrounding its creation! But I'm not going to tell you, dear reader, not yet. You'll have to wait for my #TutuTuesday blog post on that date next year! It will be fascinating to take a look back, right?

Oh, you really must visit Paris and experience this city of lights, its charm, its vibrant energy, its captivating love of art, theatre, and, of course, ballet. It's a true delight for all the senses!

I leave you with this - it’s easy to be dazzled by all the beauty and grandeur of ballet, but always remember what makes it all work: those wonderful ballerinas, those breathtaking dances and their tutus - these delicate, elegant creations that tell so much about beauty, expression, and grace. So, don't be shy – join me on this journey of dancing dreams, and don't forget, we can all be graceful and beautiful like ballerinas in a pink tutu! Until next time, stay fabulous and stay stylish. Your faithful tutu-loving Emma!

You can find me, dear reader, at www.pink-tutu.com. You can always find a new post each Tuesday! And if you have any tutu questions for me, leave them below, and we will be sharing stories of ballet through the centuries!