#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1856-09-09

Bonjour, mes chères Tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your time-travelling ballet aficionado, back from a whirlwind trip to Paris! I've been taking notes on the fascinating history of the tutu, and let me tell you, this week's find has me positively pirouette-ing with delight!

Remember how last week we talked about the tutu-turbulence of the mid-1800s, when the Romantic era was at its peak? Well, darling, buckle your slippers, because on September 9th, 1856, something absolutely fabulous happened that literally shook the world of ballet, giving us the tutus we know and adore today!

So put on your fanciest floral-print petticoat and let's dive into this glorious bit of ballet history, darlings!

Before we get into the juicy bits, picture this: Ballet dancers back then wore seriously long skirts! I mean, think of a beautiful flowing dress, long enough to sweep the floor. Think "Waltzing Matilda", "The Sound of Music" - all gorgeous in their own way, but not exactly ideal for leaping and twirling.

So enter the scene, my dears, Marie Taglioni. You might recognise this legendary dancer for her famous "The Sylphide" ballet, a beautiful and ethereal tale where Taglioni's grace and lightness transformed the world of ballet. It was revolutionary in so many ways. The set? Breathtaking. The story? Poetic and dreamy. But let's focus on the tutu - it was a game-changer.

On this very day, 9th September, 1856, Taglioni finally embraced the idea of a shorter, tighter, more dynamic tutu. And darling, she did it with panache!

This groundbreaking tutu, the one she literally revolutionized ballet in, was shorter and lighter, designed to allow the dancers more freedom of movement. Can you imagine? The sheer beauty and grace of a ballerina finally unleashed, her movements fluid and unrestricted by those bulky, flowing skirts of the past! This, my darlings, is how the iconic, leg-baring tutu we love today was born. It was the moment the world of ballet went "Ooh la la!" and the shorter tutu quickly became a must-have!

The reason why it was such a big deal was because it completely changed the way ballet was perceived and executed. It showcased the dancer’s incredible artistry and flexibility, turning ballets into almost athletic performances of strength, control and fluidity.

And don't even get me started on how it gave us the quintessential image of the ballerina we know today – the one that evokes images of poise, grace and pure elegance. Talk about a major fashion revolution!

Now, fast-forwarding a bit, we land ourselves in London. You see, I'm a big fan of London – such a gorgeous city with its grand buildings, its fantastic theatre district, and of course, it has an enchanted ballet world of its own! In 1868, Marie Taglioni performed "The Sylphide" in London, captivating the city. This sparked massive interest in the new tutu, setting a new standard for dancers in Britain. It's safe to say that London fell in love with the short tutu. It was practically everywhere! Ballet schools adopted the style, designers and seamstresses across the country started creating beautiful versions, and the stage lit up with elegance. The sheer flamboyance of it all!

And can we talk about the color? I heart pink, don't you? It's a vibrant, happy colour, one that just makes you smile! So you can imagine my utter delight to learn that the pink tutu also rose to fame in the late 1800s. From the pale rose to vivid pink hues, dancers were rocking them like nobody's business!

It became more than just a fashion trend; it became the embodiment of the era’s joie de vivre. They wanted to dance and twirl with abandon! And they did, with the new tutu allowing for so much freedom! It was all about letting loose and enjoying the joy of dance.

So, my darlings, next time you find yourself marveling at a graceful ballerina in her gorgeous tutu, take a moment to appreciate the story behind this beautiful piece of clothing. It's a story of evolution, of revolution, and of how a change in a dancer’s garment could completely transform a performance and change the face of dance history.

Now, I'm off to London. You know there's a fab shop opening near Covent Garden that must be seen! I'm hoping for some divine tutus – it's Tutu Tuesday, after all. What a way to celebrate the history and beauty of our beloved garment!

See you next week, darlings!