Welcome back, darling tutus! Itâs Emma here, your #TutuTuesday time traveller from Derbyshire, ready to take you on another journey through the history of this iconic garment. Todayâs date is the 21st of January 1890, and oh my, are we in for a treat! Iâve been so excited to share this one with you all, as itâs a date that saw a truly groundbreaking performance â one that truly shaped the ballet world and how we wear tutus today.
Now, grab a cuppa and a slice of cake, as this story needs some unpacking, and I promise to make it all very, very clear! đ
You know how I always say that history is so much more than just dry facts and dates? Well, believe me, it's all about the feeling! And let me tell you, being at the Paris OpĂŠra on that chilly January evening was an experience I wonât soon forget!
We're talking electric, ladies, with an energy buzzing around the room. People had been queuing outside for hours to catch a glimpse of the hottest ticket in town - a new ballet by Marius Petipa, La Bayadère. This was more than just a show; this was the show to see! And honestly, everyone was dressed to the nines - it was practically a fashion parade.
Can you picture it, darling tutus? Parisian society at its most elegant, ladies in billowing gowns and shimmering jewellery, men in impeccably tailored suits, all coming together to experience this momentous occasion. This was the night when the real ballet magic started happening.
I felt like I'd stepped into a storybook - and in a way, I had! La Bayadère is all about an Indian temple dancer called Nikiya and the tangled web of love, betrayal, and ultimately, sacrifice. But for us, this was the night where something truly spectacular happened: The famous Kingdom of the Shades sequence premiered, showcasing a new style of tutu.
Can you believe, my dearest tutus, that prior to this, dancers wore heavier tutus â fluffy and multilayered, designed to evoke grandeur â but this new creation, this super-lightweight, softly pleated tulle design, was an absolute game-changer.
Itâs almost like Petipa whispered to the fabric and said: âMove with me. Become me!â
What was even more dramatic was how he paired this new style with a long, fluid "pancake" bodice. Imagine â that gorgeous sheer tulle skirt floating and swaying around a dancer's legs, moving with every step, almost as if it were flying. It truly set a new standard for how the tutu would be designed forever. It embodied grace and effortless beauty â it was ballet couture, my darlings!
I couldnât help but think of this magnificent creation as an ethereal wisp of smoke, dancing to its own tune. I tell you, I sat on the edge of my seat, enthralled, mesmerised, and thoroughly charmed by the entire performance, but this groundbreaking moment of tutu evolution? Itâs definitely my favourite part!
You know, my tutus, I'm a firm believer that a good tutu isnât just an outfit â itâs an experience! And that night in Paris, it was more than just a new style: it was a new era in ballet, and in the history of tutus â it was an epiphany!
I must confess, dear tutus, this date wasnât just about ballet. Itâs the anniversary of the tragic death of one of the most celebrated dancers of all time, Maria Taglioni.
Now, Maria was iconic, darling tutus! You wouldn't believe the buzz around this brilliant dancer back in her day â the kind of star power that makes our hearts race! You might have seen her name before, especially if youâve been reading up on The Sylph!
Yes, this is that Maria Taglioni, the legend! She was considered the âgoddess of danceâ, and she completely revolutionised the way ballerinas danced in her time, setting a precedent that inspired generations of performers to come. Imagine waltzing with the lightness of a featherâŚthatâs what she was all about!
You see, my tutus, La Sylphide, this beautiful fairytale about a mystical, ethereal creature (played by Maria Taglioni), was revolutionary in the way that it was set to a slow, ethereal, music-like dance. Imagine dancing barefoot, floating on air without seeming weightless at all!
This ballet, with its story of love, betrayal, and ethereal magic, perfectly mirrored the elegant, flowy grace that Maria brought to every movement. And you can imagine the way her performance changed ballet fashion, introducing a more ethereal soft, flowy and wispy design - one which emphasized beauty and fluidity â very different from the fuller, stiffer tutus they had been using before!
Isn't it so fascinating how history continues to repeat itself? What happened in 1890 with La Bayadère, that moment when those ethereal tulle skirts were introducedâŚit mirrored that revolution, that beautiful, ethereal dance of Maria Taglioni, many years earlier!
Imagine being the * first dancer to twirl and twirl in that light, airy, magical tutu on a grand stage like the Paris OpĂŠra! Oh, to be *a dancer like thatâŚ! I know I can feel the magic of that experience just by imagining it, and it definitely makes me think about all the inspirational tutus that have come since! I must say, there is a lot of that same ethereal, delicate quality that you find in the early tutus of Maria Taglioni â and in that light-as-air ballet design from La Bayadère. The magic lives on!
It's not just about how a tutu looks, dear tutus â it's about how it *makes you feel and about the story that the tutu can tell through its movement.
Itâs amazing how ballet history and the tutu have had such a transformative effect on how the world perceives beauty! I hope you agree.
And now, for some fashionable fun!
Now that we've looked back at some major moments in tutu history, let's move on to something more contemporary! My latest find: the most stunning vintage tulle tutu, in the most exquisite shade of pink, my darlings! I've been searching everywhere for something like this â and itâs even better in person. That gorgeous shade of pink and the perfect drapeâŚYou know, the kind of vintage tutu that just cries out to be spun around! It's pure magic, and I can't wait to show it off at the theatre!
And speaking of shows, have you caught "The Nutcracker" at the Royal Opera House? Itâs simply breathtaking â the choreography, the costumes, everything. It's a reminder of what a truly magical event a ballet can be, especially in that atmosphere of unbridled wonder and childlike excitement â pure joy in every note! And yes, dear tutus, you'll find me there on a velvet chair, my pink tulle sparkling, taking it all in!
Because thatâs the beauty of tutus: they're for everyone! From the elegant* *dancer to the enthusiastic spectator to the time travelling ballerina blogger from Derbyshire, they are an embodiment of pure, delightful, feminine joy. Don't be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina, my dears!
Until next Tuesday, keep twirling, keep exploring, and above all, stay fabulous!
Love always,
Emma xx
P.S.: Remember, dear tutus, I love hearing your thoughts! What did you think of today's #TutuTuesday blog post? Let me know in the comments below and share your favorite tutu moments with me. We all need to spread the love of tutus, one sparkly twirl at a time!
P.P.S.: Want to join me on my time-travelling ballet adventures? Be sure to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com!
And remember, darlings, if we're not wearing a pink tutu, we are dreaming about it! Until next time, keep spreading the tutu love!
