Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed time traveler! This week, for our #TutuTuesday dive into ballet history, I'm whisking us all the way back to January 10th, 1832 - the very beginnings of the tutu as we know it! Fancy a journey to a Parisian theatre, complete with gas lamps, velvet seating, and the anticipation of a magical night? Come along, let's take a peek!
A Dress That’s Just... Dance!Picture this: You're settling into a plush velvet theatre seat in Paris, your eye catching the twinkle of gas lamps, and you're excited about the evening's ballet performance. This, my loves, was the era where a brand new kind of dress was first taking the stage - the tutu.
But hold on, dear reader! Now, I know some of you might picture that fluffy, airy tutu you saw your ballerina crush twirling in just last night! Back in 1832, the tutu wasn't quite that voluminous! It was a short, gathered, knee-length skirt - much shorter than what we might call a "ballet dress" today! The length, actually, is what made it revolutionary. You see, prior to this, ballerinas were encased in flowing, voluminous skirts and bodices – impractical and frankly, restrictive, if you ask me. This knee-length skirt revolutionized the whole idea of ballet movement. It gave dancers freedom – and grace – in a way never seen before!
The beauty of the new style was the way it helped to display the ballerinas' movements and technique - the exquisite développés, the soaring jetés, the elegant piqué turns ... it all flowed!. And of course, those elegant lines made the movement, the performance, all the more captivating! The ballerina herself took center stage, quite literally!
And why is this all so exciting, you ask? Because 1832, darling, marks the birth of a new era in ballet and fashion! The shorter tutu signified not just a new trend in attire, but a newfound sense of liberation, movement, and creativity.
Who's Behind this Dance-Ready Wonder?The "father" of this revolutionary garment was a man named Jules Perrot - a famed choreographer who adored the visual effect and the artistic expression he was able to create using these new tutus.
Can you imagine all the pink possibilities of a tutu, a whole collection of pink tutus? Well, Perrot, bless his soul, didn't quite go that way, my lovelies. He stuck to the classical - think white, think classic cream, think ivory - which is lovely, of course. However, it did lay the groundwork for a sea of colour, style, and playful flair! Perrot created that canvas of possibility, and I say - that deserves an encore!
But It Doesn't Stop There, Sweetheart!What made the 1830s a real turning point was not just the tutu, darling. Ballet was undergoing its very own renaissance.
And what's a renaissance, you ask? Change. A surge in creativity. A new emphasis on emotion and narrative. It gave us ballets like Giselle, with the heart-wrenching story of a young, betrayed girl who's tragically transformed into a wili, a creature of air and grace, sigh . And there was La Sylphide which brought in the ethereal and romantic spirit that would be defining for years to come.
Ballet itself was embracing new, lighter, more dynamic techniques and movements! We are talking poetic steps - not just the precise footwork of the past! Think ethereal leaps, delicate, floating gestures and emotions that took centre stage! This is where the ballerina, with her beautiful tutu, could really shine!
Oh, the Wonderful Trains and My Very Pink Tutu...Talking of shining ... there's something truly glamorous about the world of ballet at that time. You know, Parisian glamour! I could not resist making a stop at that time, especially since, quelle chance, it was a short train journey for me - in my own lovely little time machine, I hasten to add. I made a beautiful journey to see that magnificent city, and I took some time out to see Le Théâtre de l'Opéra, where it all began - so exciting!. It's like taking a grand leap into a dreamy world. And let's not forget about the shopping, my darlings, those glorious fabrics, the exquisite details. That’s the best bit of time travel - experiencing fashion history.
But you know I had to bring back my personal touch. Yes, you’ve got it! I took a detour to find a pink tutu - it was made with the finest silky taffeta and the delicate lace trim. Because pink just has to be in every fashion moment, don't you agree? I can already picture myself in my dreamy pink tutu, dancing beneath the chandelier at Le Théâtre de l'Opéra! Imagine the enchantment!
You're Invited, My Dear!The tutu revolution was a massive deal. Not only did it transform how we view ballet, it also elevated it to an art form for the ages! That's why I had to bring this week's Tutu Tuesday to this momentous turning point.
Now, darlings, my aim in life is to make everyone dance with joy, and what's better than the pink tutu, that whimsical and vibrant, absolutely gorgeous little garment?
I say we continue this exciting legacy of the tutu, that wonderful marriage of grace, art, and pure fashion pleasure! I’ve no doubt we’re in for some truly magnificent moments!
Now, I have a ballet performance to attend, oh, and a vintage boutique to visit, perhaps there is one more pink tutu out there waiting for me!
See you next Tuesday for more #TutuTuesday history, my lovelies!
Until then, embrace the dance! And wear pink!
