Bonjour, chérie! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, back for another #TutuTuesday dive into the wonderful world of the ballet tutu!
As you all know, my travels take me all over the globe – a lovely bonus to my passion for all things tutu and a chance to share our beloved dance history with you all!
This week, we’re travelling back to a particularly interesting moment in time, way before the elegant tutus we know and love today - 8th January 1833! It's a date steeped in dance history, but to fully appreciate the tutu's journey, let's imagine stepping into the ballet world of this time.
The 1830s was a whirlwind of change for ballet, moving away from the ornate, courtly style towards a lighter, more athletic approach. It's during this time, darlings, that the modern tutu was really taking its first pirouettes! Now, picture it... a world where our classic, layered, flowing tulle tutus, haven’t quite graced the stage!
Tutus before tulle? Yes, you heard me right! Imagine the ballet stage decked in gowns of shimmering silks and satins - a bit grand for a ballet leap, wouldn't you say?
The "tutus" of the day were really more tightly fitting dresses that showcased the ballerina's graceful lines. There were some hints of what was to come: skirts becoming a bit shorter, fabrics becoming a little lighter. Think of them as the ballet's first glimpse of the fluffy wonders we know today!
Now, while our fluffy, frou-frou tulle beauties weren't yet a fixture on the dance scene, you can bet your petticoat the stage was alight with talented dancers who captivated audiences! This is where my time travel fun comes in... you see, back then there wasn’t much ballet shopping, darlings! So I have to whip out my most elegant and fluffy vintage tutus, which is really a joy as they have such incredible details. Imagine me waltzing around, feeling just like a ballerina back in the 1830s – but with a touch of modern flair, of course!
But while fashion trends were different, what remained was a true passion for dance and grace, so on this day back in 1833, it wouldn’t have been unusual to find ballet dancers and enthusiasts sharing this love at various dance studios and theaters around the world. Just as I love to experience ballet's evolution by attending shows, shopping for the newest styles, or learning new dance steps at a London dance studio, people of this time would be engaging in the dance form, in whatever way they could.
Perhaps a gentleman will be attending the Opera House in Paris and be completely spellbound by the performance – his heart stolen by a particularly breathtaking ballerina who graces the stage in a whirlwind of silks (a fashion we still see, dear readers, even with tutus so loved!).
And why not! The 1830s saw ballet moving into its "golden age". Mari Taglioni, one of the first ballerina's to achieve international stardom, had taken the world by storm with her revolutionary roles, captivating audiences with her elegance and effortless movements. These influences pushed forward a bold shift in design – and the tutu was already well on its way to making its stunning entrance on the ballet stage.
Speaking of influences, the beautiful French designer, Charles Worth (he of the fabulous gowns), was a driving force behind some of the early evolution of ballet's costumes. Though not directly linked to the ballet world, his work as a couturier showcased a light and feminine approach to garments – something the dance world quickly picked up on, opening the door to revolutionary dance attire!
We can trace back the ballet world's obsession with* beauty, romance, and graceful movement* through history. This love, dear readers, has driven change and has brought us the stunning tutus we love today!
It’s hard to think of a stage today without those frothy and glorious tutus adorning its center, dancing beautifully across the space. So, while today we can see the full potential of the modern tutu, back in the 1830s, it was only just taking its first steps. It was an era of beautiful garments and breathtaking dance – setting the stage for something even greater, the tutu as we know it.
Now, back to my journey! This trip to the 1830s took me by train – the charming steam-powered trains, complete with billowing smoke, and my adorable vintage travel bag, filled with some modern accessories – a reminder of the exciting journey we've all shared with tutus over the centuries.
Remember, darlings, keep a little pink in your heart and wear that tutu with pride! See you next #TutuTuesday with more amazing stories from the past.
Until then, wear your tutu with joy and twirl with abandon!
XOXO, Emma
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