Bonjour from Paris, my darlings! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another #TutuTuesday journey through ballet history. Grab your favourite cuppa (I'm sipping on some rose tea with a hint of bergamot – divine!), slip on your most twirly tutu (pink, of course!) and settle in for a journey back in time.
Today, July 7th, 2020, is a day that feels like a perfect excuse to put on my prettiest pink tutu. The air is buzzing with excitement; everyone seems to be dancing a little lighter today. That's because today is... wait for it... the day that Paris woke up to sunshine after a week of gloomy rain! The Eiffel Tower looks resplendent in the morning light, and I'm heading straight to the Seine for a lovely picnic amongst the green grass with my favourite fromagerie finds and a book of poems (something whimsical from Wilde or Shelley, naturally).
Speaking of Paris, darling, the City of Lights is a real gem for any ballet aficionado like myself! Every day here is a "Tutu Tuesday" as far as I'm concerned! You just can't go wrong with the opulence and elegance of the Palais Garnier or the sheer beauty of the Opéra de Paris!
Speaking of opulence and elegance – wouldn't you love to travel back in time and see the origins of our beloved tutu? This Tuesday we'll go on a time-travel adventure to find out how a simple garment worn for practice and rehearsals became the icon of grace, lightness and, dare I say, utter femininity that it is today.
It’s always fascinating to trace the history of this garment, a symbol of so much that’s joyful and empowering for women!
Our journey begins in the 1830s, a time when ballet was in a state of, well, a bit of a “tutu”. Imagine that! The early Romantic ballerinas (Marie Taglioni being a shining star of this era) didn't exactly leap across the stage in billowing tulle skirts. Their “dresses” were often longer, with layers of fabric – like an enormous petticoat! It was quite restrictive for the dancers, as these dresses hampered movement.
Enter our beloved tutu! This innovation wasn't necessarily intentional, but the result of the artistic genius of a certain Parisian Mr. Charles-Louis Didelot. He wanted his dancers to dance more freely, gracefully and he wanted to highlight their incredible movements, their graceful extensions, their poetry in motion.
This brilliant designer created a simple, streamlined outfit: A** tight-fitting bodice with a single layer of tulle, much shorter than what was typical for the time. This revolutionary invention created the classic shape that we know and love. It allowed dancers to move with a grace, agility, and ease like never before!
It became an instant hit and helped define an era. Imagine – the stage transformed, showcasing incredible strength and beauty! I'm sure it was thrilling! I'm sure the dancers, once constrained by their outfits, must have felt like they could fly!
For me, it was a joy to see the evolution of the tutu first hand in 1845 when I attended “La Sylphide” at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, one of the most famous early ballets using the short, tulle tutu! I was lucky enough to witness Marie Taglioni herself dancing – quite the incredible sight!
Our Tutu Time Travels don't end there! As the decades flew by, the tutu took on new shapes, new lengths, adapting to the changing trends of the times! Some were even worn in* colourful stripes! * A kaleidoscope of beauty!** Can you imagine dancing in tartan, polka dots and other incredible designs! Isn't that exciting?!
Fast forward to today, 2020, and tutus are still an indispensable part of ballet, and I think, darling, they're more popular than ever! The design of the tutu has been endlessly refined, creating a truly diverse range of styles, lengths, and shapes – each adding its own unique element to every ballet.
You'll see ballerinas twirling across the stage in fluffy, knee-length tutus, shimmering ballerina length styles and even those glorious tutus that trail on the floor like a wave of white tulle. Each design has its own history, it’s a visual story of dance. I find them absolutely fascinating!
Oh, darling! I wish I could share a slice of my fabulous lemon tart (recipe coming soon!) with you all! But unfortunately, time travel only allows me to bring back inspiration – no delicious treats, alas!
If you'd like to continue exploring the wonderful world of tutus, make sure to visit *my favourite online tutu emporium at www.pink-tutu.com. * They offer everything a Tutu enthusiast could dream of: tutus for everyday, tutus for the theatre, tutus for... well, for any and every occasion.
I know, darling! My life motto is to “ live, laugh, love, and never forget to twirl!" * And the only way to twirl properly is with a magnificent tutu! Don't you think? So don't hesitate to step into a beautiful, graceful, and joyful *world of twirls with a perfect, pretty pink tutu.
And darling, don’t forget – Tutu Tuesdays happen every Tuesday! Join me on www.pink-tutu.com for another amazing ballet adventure and who knows… you might even meet me in person at one of my favourite ballet events this summer. Keep those tutus twirling, darling!
Emma, signing out – à bientôt!
