Hello my gorgeous tutuesque darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It’s me, your time-traveling tutu enthusiast Emma, and as always, it's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time to dive into the thrilling world of tutu history!
This week, we're stepping back in time, way back, to a day in 1832. You might not be thinking "tutuesque" when you think of the 1830s. Picture ladies in voluminous, flowing skirts, lace galore, and hairdos that would make your head spin. But my lovely little swans, the tutu's story starts long before our current visions of billowing tulle!
I was lucky enough to take a whirlwind trip back to Paris – Paris! Where else would one find such exquisite fashion? I swear, I felt like I’d stepped into a storybook! This particular Tuesday, April 3rd, 1832 to be precise, the city buzzed with anticipation. Why? A new production of La Sylphide, a magical tale of love, spirits, and, of course, the beauty of ballet, was debuting at the Paris Opera!
My dear lovelies, we are talking big ballet! It wasn't just a performance; it was a cultural event. This wasn’t a fancy, pink sparkly production either. Think of a beautiful story, full of beautiful movements and graceful choreography. We were just a few years into what we now consider the era of romantic ballet, so the feeling was one of romantic fantasy.
And imagine my delight when I realised – this performance was pivotal in the evolution of the tutu!! La Sylphide was the show that popularised what we now call the “romantic tutu", which wasn’t actually a "tutu" yet in our terms, as such. Instead, imagine a beautifully flowing, lightweight skirt made of a fine muslin fabric called tulle – yes, tulle! Our beautiful material – in delicate layers and trimmed with flounces. The ballerinas could move freely, expressing their artistry, not hindered by heavy gowns! It was almost a foreshadowing of what was to come for tutus! It was like ballet saying "hold on! Let us move freely, show the fluidity and elegance!" This type of design had been introduced just a year before, 1831.
My time machine journey had me feeling like a princess from that romantic age. All that flowing muslin, just a whiff of "fancy" – but definitely nothing like a modern tutu! Imagine a beautifully draped fabric – like a cloud that has fallen to earth. Think elegance and ethereal grace. The emphasis, my lovely swans, was on the ballerina's beautiful lines, a graceful movement and ethereal elegance. This made the ballet world realise, in an age of opulent and dramatic, that less was absolutely more.
In the enchanting world of romantic ballet, it was all about storytelling through movement – no overly flashy embellishments needed. This period’s productions really emphasized the romantic element with beautifully created costumes, dreamy settings, and captivating music that brought it all together! And guess what? La Sylphide wasn’t even the only story showcasing this new movement! The performance took its place with the famous Giselle – both were pushing the limits of ballet as we knew it!
It wasn’t until years later, when a new ballet was born called The Fairy Doll (La Poupée, a true highlight!) which premiered in 1852 that our familiar tutu really stepped into the spotlight. We were finally seeing the true tutu in all its glory – those gloriously short skirts, beautifully ruffled, in shades of pink and blue that added an explosion of colour to ballet, allowing us to finally see those lovely dancer's legs as they moved with exquisite grace and fluidity. Now that’s something to truly get excited about!
La Sylphide, Giselle – what iconic pieces, what stories they brought! As always, ballet gave us a sense of magic – in the beautiful choreography, the ethereal stories – and of course, the movement itself! And oh my goodness, don’t get me started on how the dancing made the costume look absolutely beautiful. Can you imagine, it wasn't the tutu itself that took centre stage but the way the dancers wore them? Every move told a story, every twist a journey! And in 1832, the world was truly taken by how captivating this newly developed dress style could be.
So remember this week, darlings: It was all about elegance! It's just the start of an incredible evolution, but an important moment nonetheless. A big thank you to that amazing little skirt -the forerunner of the tutu!
Now, my loves, tell me what you’re thinking! Has this given you a new appreciation for your tutu's history? Have you seen these productions or heard these stories? Do let me know! As always, feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts. And if you find any pink tutus while exploring, let me know! Until next week, darlings, and don't forget, let your tutuesque dreams take flight!
And lastly, if you are visiting Paris – which you simply must! make a visit to the Paris Opera House and let your imagination dance!! It will transport you into a world of dreams, of dancing, of art! I mean, it truly is an elegant and breathtaking structure. You will have a hard time stopping the tutu loving girl inside from coming out to play!!
#TutuTuesday * #PinkTutu #BalletHistory*
Keep Dancing and Don't Forget Your Pink Tutu!
P.S. I'm headed to Derbyshire to perform my own ballet this weekend! I've even designed my own gorgeous tutu, of course, it's a shocking shade of pink! I'll share photos next week. I just need to practice. If you're in the area, come on down for a whirl or two! Love, Emma!
This blog post can be extended to about 2000 words by adding in:
- Emma's personal observations of Paris in the 1830s
- What the Parisian theatre scene is like (a bit like Victorian London's but more glamorous!)
- How Emma gets from London to Paris (by train of course!). She can tell us her journey by rail!
- How Emma funds her time travel (selling jewellery in antique shops)
- A detailed description of a costume or other fashion item she sees.
Just imagine: "That lady had on the most divine bonnet I have ever seen, my loves. Such elegant detail and exquisite pink satin! I will add a picture to this blog!"
She can also expand on:
- Details of La Sylphide, its musical score, the lead performers and how the performance actually felt to her
- A quick glimpse of another dancer and maybe a little gossip
- Thoughts on the social hierarchy of the Parisian ballet and opera worlds
Let your imagination soar and have fun with the details! Just make sure it all keeps that "girly" feel and the blog voice of someone passionate about ballet!
