Post 2521. www.pink-tutu.com
Hello lovelies!
Welcome to another edition of #TutuTuesday! Your one-stop shop for all things tutus, especially on Tuesdays, obviously! Isn't it wonderful to be alive in 2023, with a time machine and a penchant for pink?
Today, my dears, we're waltzing back to a fascinating moment in ballet history! I'm actually in London, a city full of fabulous fashion and amazing theatre. And today's #TutuTuesday date - April 20th, 1880 - holds a very special place in the history of tutus.
What were the ballerinas wearing in 1880?
Now, before we dive in, you'll be pleased to know that I am resplendent in a gorgeous shade of blush pink. I believe the 19th Century termed it Rose Pink. It just makes my day so much brighter and gives me the energy I need to flit through the years with my tutu bouncing happily! Of course, I am here in a beautiful vintage, flowing white tutu. The perfect addition to my travel ensemble! (Do you have any ideas for time-travel fashion? Tell me in the comments!).
The ballerinas of 1880 weren’t quite as pink-tutu-happy as I am. It was a time of long skirts and complex layered skirts that became the tutu. The tutus were large and billowing and you’d see these graceful movements as the ballerinas spun around the stage. It was quite different from what we know and love today.
Let me give you the full story…
This beautiful date – 20th April 1880 – marks the 100th birthday of a renowned ballerina, a true inspiration: Marie Taglioni. This beautiful lady was an Italian ballerina who lived from 1804 to 1884 and wowed audiences with her incredible skills and artistry. Now, there's a big reason why her birthday is important in the history of tutus. I'll be explaining why the colour pink matters.
Marie Taglioni: The first Romantic Tutu?
You see, my darlings, this beautiful dancer's talent isn’t only connected to the stage. You can connect it directly to the history of the tutu! She helped revolutionize ballet costumes in the 19th century. Her work as a dancer ushered in the Romantic Era of ballet. And guess what – it’s named after the tutu!
I know this might sound a bit odd, but hear me out.
Now, imagine ballerinas of the past performing in heavy, floor-length dresses with loads of embellishment and material. I bet it was terribly uncomfortable. They were constrained by these restrictive outfits and couldn’t move freely to showcase their talent.
Now, you wouldn't think Marie Taglioni wanted to dance in one of these long heavy skirts - well she didn’t! This brave ballerina was one of the first to start moving away from these very long, heavy skirts and towards shorter skirts for dancing, to emphasize those graceful moves. She was revolutionary in terms of costumes, especially for a ballerina who lived in an era where social restrictions were prominent.
This move by Marie to be different helped to change what ballet audiences looked at. She’d go down in ballet history for pioneering this tutu-like dancewear and help usher in an era of lightweight dance outfits. I imagine that the women who were wearing long dresses, who were constrained by what they could wear, must have been completely astounded!
But we're talking the late 18th Century!
Marie Taglioni brought her work as a dancer to a culmination in her work on La Sylphide, an incredibly influential ballet that showcased this innovative dance wear. The story of La Sylphide was revolutionary and its dress is an iconic tutu design for many people. I love it.
She performed in a short, multi-layered white dress with multiple layers and this short, billowing tutu-like dress changed the history of ballet.
The rise of the tutu!
Over the following years, more ballerinas adopted the new lightweight costume and the original heavy layered outfits evolved.
The ballerinas' dancing started to change to match the freedom and new movements. They started to use lighter steps.
So, if you look at pictures from that period, they weren’t dancing en pointe in the classic tutus that we see today – they used a new style of pointe that allowed more flexibility. A little bit different to how we do it now! There was less reliance on pointed toes, and that graceful movement with light feet and longer lines – well they were moving the way they had to – to match the outfits.
But the dancewear had really been redefined – you can say that the 1830’s to 1840’s saw the birth of the ballet tutu! And Marie Taglioni’s Sylphide – that was a key step. But La Sylphide was also hugely influential on ballet in terms of themes and the story that it told. It became the defining Romantic ballet that really gave the tutu its identity and style.
And here’s the thing, my dears - while the long skirts would definitely not work for these movements and the freedom that Marie brought into ballet, even her tutu wasn’t like the tutus that we know and love today. It was a revolution in fashion – the dancewear started moving away from restrictive gowns and embracing a new more fluid costume. A tutu of the times would be much fuller. And less layered - the idea was to show a lightness and ethereal movement that could not be achieved in the previous style.
Pink! Why pink?
Now, where did I put that pink ribbon?! A lovely addition to any ballet outfit!
Oh, the lovely Marie - did she wear pink?
You see my darlings, pink isn't quite mainstream in this era. It's not yet the color associated with tutus as much as the beautiful pale pink is in the modern era. But you'd often see pink worn by young women at social gatherings - there were fashionistas with exquisite pink ribbon decorations! But in the dancewear industry, it's usually seen as white! And to this day the ballet tutu – this timeless staple is most definitely white!
An amazing date in the Ballet Tutu Timeline.
April 20th 1880! It's a beautiful, fascinating day! So let’s raise our champagne glasses to the great Marie Taglioni! It’s thanks to her bravery that we have these beautiful tutus. You wouldn’t have the same elegance and poise from the ballet of the Romantic era if it wasn’t for her dedication to artistry!
What are your thoughts on Marie Taglioni and the impact of her dancing on the history of the ballet tutu? Tell us in the comments below.
Until next time, my darlings, let your spirits soar with the grace of the ballerina, Marie Taglioni! And keep spreading the joy of tutus all around the world!
Happy #TutuTuesday and remember: wear pink, it’s good for the soul! 💖
See you next Tuesday on #TutuTuesday, my lovely people!
*Your favourite Pink Tutu Ballerina! 💖 *
