Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling blogger Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday! I'm currently ensconced in a charming Parisian café, savouring a delectable éclair (divine, darling!), and catching up on my favourite historical tidbits. Today's post, number 110 on the pink-tutu.com blog, is all about the exciting evolution of the ballet tutu, and trust me, it's a story worthy of a thousand twirls!
(Remember to keep those dainty fingers poised on the "Like" button!)
Today's date, February 4th, 1834, doesn't exactly jump off the page as a landmark moment in tutu history, but let's be honest, we're celebrating every single moment on this fabulous fashion journey. You see, around this time, our beloved tutu was undergoing a quiet revolution, paving the way for the extravagant tutus of the Romantic ballet era that we all adore today.
Think Maria Taglioni in "La Sylphide." Picture Carlotta Grisi gracefully gliding across the stage in "Giselle." Imagine the ultimate ballerina silhouette, that flowing, ethereal gown of billowing tulle! We can't forget that every single stage, every dancer, every shimmering creation is linked to this quiet shift happening around 1834. It's a time of revolutionary romance, and a ballet dancer's tutu was going to be right in the centre of it.
But let's rewind for a moment.
Before the Romantics swept us off our feet, ballet tutus were practical garments, primarily for comfort and mobility. Forget the whimsical, cloud-like silhouettes of today - early tutus were pretty much knee-length, modest dresses designed for maximum freedom of movement. This was the era of classical ballet, where controlled, disciplined steps took centre stage (no pun intended!).
The dancers of that time had little lace-up shoes which resembled contemporary pointe shoes but without the modern box at the toes, and no-nonsense dresses in modest shades. Think white cotton, shades of pale blue or grey. It was a far cry from the shimmering silks and elaborate embroideries of later eras.
It's fascinating to see how this gradual change in dance and style created a whole new demand for what ballet costume could look like. It was a time when choreographers were finding new ways to express themselves and pushing dancers beyond their previous limits.
One pivotal moment, one of the earliest steps toward that Romantic tutu revolution, occurred in 1832 when Taglioni, in a performance of La Sylphide, stunned the world by wearing a tutu that was, gasp, knee-length! Yes, knee-length! This daring length, coupled with her iconic use of the en pointe technique (dancing on the tips of the toes), sent audiences into a frenzy and helped establish the vision of the graceful ballerina we know and adore today.
Imagine the gasp in the audience. It would be like wearing a midi-skirt today! Revolutionary, truly! The excitement about a dancer's dress, what they wear, it's a real thing!
I'm imagining a packed Parisian theatre, all gasps and fluttering fans, and of course, the scent of perfume, and an explosion of beautiful colours - some women wearing outfits, gasp very similar to the very modern fashions of today! And amidst all the excitement, I bet there were many, many whispered comments about Taglioni's revolutionary choice of knee-length gown. Just picture it, darlings!
And what did this fashion moment create? It set the stage, no pun intended again, for an explosive tutu revolution. Soon after Taglioni's game-changing move, ballet tutus went even shorter, eventually reaching the ultra-feminine and elegant silhouette we associate with Romantic ballets. It's a cascade of lovely changes from the demure, modest designs to a short, wispy skirt, made of several layers of tulle, each one so delightfully diaphanous it appears as if it's been kissed by a cloud.
What is the difference? The earlier ballet tutus served as functional uniforms, these new ones, the tulle layered tutu of the Romantic ballet, was a costume. And just like modern fashion it was all about fashion.
But of course, the shift wasn't simply about shorter hemlines. It was a confluence of creative forces, where new stories, innovative dance techniques, and a burgeoning interest in ethereal aesthetics converged to redefine what ballet could be. This resulted in new costume designs that were as light and graceful as the dances themselves.
From a simple dress to a shimmering ballet tutu, such a transformation, it makes me want to twirl just thinking about it!
And let's not forget the fabric of dreams that propelled this new look – tulle! Imagine being enveloped in such soft, lightweight elegance. This incredibly fine and delicate netting changed ballet forever, capturing the ephemeral lightness of the dances and enhancing the dancers' movements with an almost otherworldly fluidity.
It's like we're wearing a dream made from light and air. Oh la la! And speaking of dreams, the Romantic ballets like "Giselle" that followed in this wave, captivated audiences and became instant successes. This further entrenched the iconic ballet tutu as the embodiment of the graceful ballerina, with its intricate patterns, flowing ribbons, and sparkling embellishments that spoke to a new wave of visual delight.
Today, you see these tutu forms used all the time in our fashion: in dresses, eveningwear, fashion shows. Ballet style is always around us!
I've always found that a splash of pink really elevates a tutu to another level of fabulousness. Why settle for dull pastels, when you can sparkle and twirl in a tutu as bright as your personality? Imagine the stunning impact a pink tutu would make on those 1830s audiences! I can almost see the look of fascination and sheer wonder on their faces as I pirouette across the stage.
(It's about to happen in our next time-travel trip...don't miss out!)
Speaking of captivating audiences, guess what's happening right here in Paris this evening, February 4th, 1834? None other than a performance of the iconic "La Sylphide" at the Théâtre de l'Opéra! Talk about perfect timing, right? Imagine witnessing that revolutionary piece that ignited the romantic era of dance and witnessed the first wave of those beautiful ballerina costumes that captivated the whole world! I must find my way into the theatre, darling. I wouldn't miss it for all the tulle in Paris!
Well, darlings, that's all for now! Stay tuned for my next #TutuTuesday adventure, filled with pink tutus, and lots of lovely, fashion-forward insights.
And remember: life is a beautiful, and sometimes very brief, dance - so twirl with joy!
Love,
Emma 💕
PS: What colour do you love to wear for your ballet tutu adventures? I love a lovely shade of lavender as much as pink! Let me know in the comments below, darling. Let's have a fabulous discussion!
PPS: Do check out the new ballet dress line on my online shop - some pink, some lavender, you know, just lovely - all from my latest travels to the Victorian era! Go check it out, darlings!
