Post 1412: January 18th, 1859
Bonjour, mes chères amies! It's Emma here, back again for your weekly dose of tutu-tastic history, ready to whisk you away on another delightful journey into the world of ballet!
As I settle into my carriage, the wheels clickety-clacking on the tracks, my mind drifts back to a date that's particularly dear to my heart, a day that whispers of the romantic era of ballet: January 18th, 1859.
Why, you ask? Well, on this very day, a momentous ballet premiered at the Opéra National de Paris. I just had to visit and see what all the fuss was about! Oh, it was positively exquisite! Imagine delicate silk tulle, a whisper-thin whisper of a skirt, flowing around the ballerinas, with the softest of pastel colours shimmering under the warm gaslight. And, of course, I simply had to have one, too! A vibrant pink, naturally. What's a ballerina without a touch of pink? 😉
But let's rewind a little, shall we? Back then, it wasn't as if a tutu popped into existence out of thin air! Imagine if it did, just poof! And in the midst of Paris, a big, pink tutu descends from the heavens, just like in a fairytale, how magical!
Now, while a ballet's movements are so important, let's not forget about those glorious tutus that tell half the story, eh? This year, 1859, is a great time to chat about a very important, almost essential item of any dancer's costume, the tutu. They were already a fixture on the stage back then, and in the Romantic Era, their lightness, airy shape and elegant movement helped contribute to the dreamlike world that audiences embraced so much.
What are they exactly, these fascinating pieces of art? Well, I like to think of them as the essence of lightness, an airy symphony of fabric, a ballerina's secret weapon for unleashing breathtaking jumps and delicate turns. Back in those days, tutus weren't the frothy concoctions of today!
Instead, picture the ballerina's silhouette as graceful, sleek and poised, often sculpted with soft, draping fabrics that create an effortless, elegant look, rather than an overly puffy silhouette. It was all about movement, a natural, ethereal grace! The ballerina had to flow, and not only with her graceful steps, but the fabrics had to dance with her!
The tutu's story isn't a simple one! The ballet tutu has undergone some major transformations. Early designs in the early 19th century were much fuller, more reminiscent of a dress or skirt.
I can see them, flowing like cascading waves around the graceful ballerina, swirling and moving, a ballet within a ballet, and I must admit, the way it flows like silk on the breeze is truly enchanting!
It’s a captivating glimpse into how ballet has evolved and why these historical movements of change in fashion remain a strong, captivating factor in fashion today, don't you agree? It's all about innovation and expressing creativity.
*Of course, I must share with you the amazing show I saw yesterday, *I couldn’t help but attend the Grand Ballet's show! They were performing the beloved La Fille Mal Gardée – an enchanting story about a mischievous girl who dares to dance to her own tune. Such elegance, such heart! It truly captured the romance of ballet, and as I twirled in my pink tulle myself, I couldn't help but feel a bit like a character from the stage!
Oh, my, and do you know what is truly fantastic? Today is also the birthday of one of the greatest ballerinas, the divine Marie Taglioni! Her beauty, talent, and stage presence were nothing short of awe-inspiring. I'll share her story soon, with more wonderful photos from her iconic shows and details about her inspiring life, but for today I hope you enjoy the La Fille Mal Gardée performance, and enjoy these photos from the Grand Ballet show last night. Don’t forget to come back for my next #TutuTuesday. It’s sure to be a grand time. And do you know what? Today was the day I saw the beautiful **Marika Besobrasova dancing! You must find a performance soon to witness this fantastic dancer for yourself. She's such an incredible ballerina!
I shall leave you to indulge in more inspiring performances yourself! If you’re in the mood for some creative ballet history fun and fashion, join me on #TutuTuesday as I discover new facts and more incredible stories about my favorite ballet era - the Romantic era!
Keep dancing, keep dreaming, and keep twirling, mes amis!
Yours ever,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
