Welcome back, lovelies, to another #TutuTuesday, a journey through the magical world of the ballet tutu! I'm Emma, your ever-so-slightly pink-obsessed, tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina. This week, we're taking the train, literally, back to 1858!
Now, as many of you know, my journey through time isn't fuelled by whimsy alone. Oh no, dear friends! It's the magical, mesmerising power of ballet itself! Each dazzling performance, every beautiful pirouette and plié, funds my thrilling time travels.
This week, I find myself nestled in Paris, the very heart of ballet, a place where every twirl and leap seems to echo with elegance and history. I'm particularly excited to be here because today, 28th September 1858, is a momentous day in ballet history, dear friends. This is the very day, the precise date, when our beloved tutu as we know it today began its evolution!
But let me take you back a step. Before our sleek, graceful tutus, there were costumes so incredibly heavy, it would make even the most hardened prima ballerina sigh. Imagine, layers upon layers of stiff, elaborate petticoats and fabric, making it impossible to perform with the fluid grace we all love. Oh, the struggles of ballet in those days!
Then, thank goodness, came Marie Taglioni, the ethereal muse of the ballet world. With her innovative genius and undeniable flair, Marie began to champion the idea of lightness and freedom in dance. She ditched the restrictive petticoats for a lightweight, flowing creation – a fabric that allowed her to float across the stage with grace and elegance. Imagine, a single layer of tulle, ethereal and light!
However, her revolutionary concept wasn't exactly the sleek tutu we see today. It was still a voluminous garment, but a whole new, much lighter one! And here's where our special day, 28th September, 1858, becomes significant, my lovelies. On this day, a famous ballet teacher, Arthur Saint-Léon, made a crucial decision!
He introduced a modified tutu – much shorter than its predecessors, hitting right around the knee – allowing for greater ease of movement. A game-changer! Imagine the sheer freedom, the elegant leaps, and the expressive artistry that now became possible! Oh, what a delight for the audience! It was like the stars were reborn, glittering brighter than ever before.
This marked a major shift in ballet fashion and marked a turning point towards the graceful, iconic tutu we admire today. While it took some time for the new tutu to fully catch on – the old way had quite a strong hold, dear friends – this short and lighter design laid the foundation for the ballet tutu to become a symbol of freedom, grace, and sheer elegance!
While the world buzzes about Paris and the latest ballet, today I'll be indulging myself in the sheer joy of shopping in a luxurious boutique in the heart of this beautiful city! As the world swirls around me, I can't resist buying myself a new pair of dance shoes. And who could say no to a delicate little tiara to make my performance even more glamorous, right?
The Parisian scene is filled with excitement. I can't wait to witness the brilliance of ballet this evening and see that iconic tutu shimmering under the stage lights! Don't forget to tune in next Tuesday for a whole new adventure!
Until then, remember, there's a pink tutu waiting for you to embrace your own inner ballerina, dear friends!
Until next week, twirl on! 🩰💖
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesdayPost #1396
