Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-loving time traveller, back with another installment of our Ballet Tutu History blog! Today, we're going on a journey back to 19th June 1832, to discover what our beloved tutus were up to way back then.
This week, we find ourselves in the heart of Paris. Oh, la la! How I love this city. It's absolutely brimming with fashion inspiration, and today, the spotlight shines bright on the Opéra Garnier! This grand and beautiful building wasn't around in 1832, of course. We're at the Palais Garnier, the building that housed the Paris Opera, just a stone's throw from the magnificent Louvre.
You see, ladies, in the 1830s, Paris was the undisputed centre of dance, and the heart of that dance was the Opéra de Paris. Imagine it - opulent velvet seating, shimmering chandeliers, and the air thick with the anticipation of seeing the very best ballet dancers of the day! It’s the most thrilling place to be for a true tutu enthusiast like myself.
Now, our darling tutus are still relatively young in 1832. Remember how I mentioned those lovely romantic ballet tutus from the late 18th century? Well, they were mostly the height of fashion at this point. Think billowing silk and gossamer lace – all flowing, elegant and dreamy. But here's the fun part, darling readers - there's a slight shift going on in tutu-land!
The Birth of a Classic: A Little Tightening Here, A Little Shorter There
While the romantic tutu with its soft, swirling layers is still popular, some revolutionary dancers and choreographers are taking things in a new direction. Think, shorter skirts! Imagine that - those elegant layers just above the knee! And just a tad more structure, too, for a more streamlined and athletic look.
Remember, we’re in the golden age of ballet right now, and the dancers are muscles of steel. These graceful movements require powerful techniques - you'll see why the focus is now on movement, grace, and strength. So naturally, we're seeing a shift towards tutus that offer greater freedom of movement - think lighter, more flexible fabrics that hug the body, showcasing that incredible ballerina power and athleticism.
Let's imagine a ballerina of 1832, shall we? I picture her wearing a simple, almost practical cotton bodice in a rich, sophisticated hue like dark sapphire, burgundy, or a classic black. The top layers of her skirt are no longer quite so billowing. They might even be made from a soft satin – perfectly luxurious yet practical! You can see these stunning tutus with their streamlined shape taking center stage, capturing the attention of all the fashionistas who frequent the opera!
The Majesty of Movement:
Speaking of capturing attention, don't forget the majesty of ballet performance! What a beautiful, transformative experience. Seeing these graceful figures floating and gliding, spinning and leaping with incredible ease is nothing short of inspiring. It’s like seeing pure joy captured in movement! You’re right there with them - transported through their artistry!
I know how excited you are to see those dazzling performances in your pink tutus – don't we all adore those joyful moments? This period marks the rise of Maria Taglioni, the Queen of Ballet! You've likely seen those beautiful photos, her dainty feet in a shimmering tutu. It's her, who has the whole of Europe absolutely spellbound! Maria truly owns the romantic style tutu, and, by the time I’m taking notes on her, she’s at the height of her career. Imagine her sweeping through the stages of Paris, and Vienna and, whisper it, London - a graceful ballet goddess inspiring generations of ballerinas to come!
I hope this post gives you a little taste of how tutu history was developing back in 1832. What fascinating, thrilling times they were!
But wait, there's more! Just so we all know, it's not just about tutus in the theatre, you see? 1832 is a big year! What do you know about this date? Hmm? This is a very interesting date, my loves! You’ll find that, even today, ballet-related activities have moved out into the streets! In fact, some might call this the year of Street Ballet! What a gorgeous expression, isn’t it? Ballet is everywhere you look. Just ask Maria Taglioni – you’ll know if you follow her dance moves that ballet is life, ballet is everything, ballet is love - she says it every time.
In fact, if you were here, in Paris - on 19th June, 1832, you’d see all sorts of ballet fun – everything from beautiful performances in the parks to people copying those iconic ballet moves. Don’t even get me started on how the ballet moves inspired new and very popular dance forms for the common people of Paris, as well as the higher ranks of Parisian Society. We'll explore these fascinating dance movements in the upcoming weeks. You don't want to miss it!
Next week, dear loves, I’m planning a bit of a dance spree. Whisper this: it may involve visiting a most beautiful city with my favourite dancing shoe boutique! Who wants to come on an imaginary shopping spree?!
Until next time, darlings! Stay twirling, stay glamorous, and remember - there’s always room for more pink tutus in this world!
Love and Tutu Kisses,
Emma
Don’t forget, darlings, find us over at www.pink-tutu.com And do join our fun and follow our #TutuTuesday hashtag.
