Welcome back, darling dears, to another fabulously frivolous #TutuTuesday, right here on www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things twirly and pretty! This is Emma, your friendly neighbourhood time-traveling ballerina blogger, fresh from a whirlwind tour of⊠wait for it⊠1834!
Oh, the thrill of it all, darling! I've just travelled back from the bustling streets of Paris, my mind spinning with exquisite sights, delicious pastries, and⊠well, not really tutus exactly, but definitely the beginning of what would become our iconic dance wear!
This week's history lesson, my lovelies, is about the skirt! Yes, the fabulous, frilly, magnificent garment that every ballerina dreams of twirling in. Today, I'm diving into the world of 19th-century ballet costumes and showing you how the "tutu" evolved from something quite... bulky... to the elegant, floating form we know and adore today.
So, grab a cuppa (or perhaps a glass of something sparkly!) and get ready to be swept away by the enchanting world of early ballet costumes!
A Blast from the Past: Before the Tutu, There Was⊠the Skirt?
I know, darling! The thought of our beautiful, floating tutus coming from a much⊠bulkier garment might seem shocking! But believe me, history is full of unexpected twists!
In 1834, the idea of "tutu" was just beginning to blossom, and frankly, it looked more like a layered skirt than anything we see on stage today. The famous Marie Taglioni, known for her incredible leaps and graceful movements, had started to revolutionize dance costumes, shedding the heavier layers and heavier-than-air dresses of the past. Imagine long, elaborate skirts made of layers of thick fabric, which restricted movement and didn't exactly make you feel light on your feet!
Marie's revolutionary ideas? She shortened the skirt! Yes, imagine that â the bold decision to show a little more ankle! The "jupe Ă lâEspagnole," also known as the "Spanish skirt," was a real game changer in the world of ballet! This lovely new costume style was shorter than what came before, which made it perfect for dancing and spinning.
Of course, 1834 wasn't a fully realised tutu. The skirt might be shortened, but it was still full and made of fabric that was probably as heavy as a horse-drawn carriage! Think tiers and tiers of fabric and lots of tulle, darling, creating a full, dramatic shape that probably weighed a ton.
Dancing Into the Future:
This was the spark that started the tutu revolution! We're talking about a massive leap forward for ballet costuming, with a real focus on lightness, grace, and yes, movement! The Spanish skirt paved the way for more exciting designs and gave dancers freedom to really express themselves through their movements.
As the 19th century progressed, this new style became more refined and streamlined. It was about making the skirt more streamlined, and finding new and beautiful fabrics to make them even more breathtaking! By the end of the 19th century, we were starting to see a real shift towards the "tutu" shape we know and love today! It still had a good bit of fabric, and sometimes had frills all the way around the bottom. (How else could a ballerina create the dramatic whirl when she pirouettes?) But that iconic form was emerging: Light, airy, and making movement, particularly dancing, look absolutely ethereal.
So, letâs recap what's great about skirts and tutus, darlings!
Freedom of Movement: We wouldn't be able to do the grand jeté or even a simple relevé without a little help from the light, flowy, and well, shorter tutus!
Visual Aesthetics: What else can make a ballerina on stage look as stunning and graceful as a well-crafted tutu does? Imagine those cascading layers of tulle flowing as a dancer moves, creating a truly magnificent sight. We owe the beauty of dance to these magical garments.
Inspiration for Creativity: They inspire dancers to explore different styles, and designers to create more daring, imaginative, and jaw-dropping outfits.
I am a total tutu-holic, darlings. I mean, where would we be if not for the magic of the tutu! This historical peek at the early days of the tutu, shows how far ballet has come from its simpler beginnings! We are witnessing not only an evolution in fashion, but a change in the way we experience dance and express creativity.
Oh, but what is the real meaning of âtutuâ itself? I know that's on all of your minds. Believe me, this is one topic that will require further investigation, dear reader!
And guess what, darling? This was only the beginning of our Tutu Tuesday journeys. Next week, we're whisked away to another period of ballet history to learn more about how the tutu continued to evolve. But for now, we're celebrating the fabulous âjupe Ă lâEspagnole", a truly historical gem. And as a bonus for today, I shall share a little glimpse into 1834 that wasnât dance related:
What Else was Happening on the 5th of August, 1834?
It was a Wednesday, not a Tuesday â although the fun was just as great!
A little known fact: The very first train to carry passengers between Manchester and Liverpool began its run in Britain! How fascinating â we can thank 1834 for making it easier to explore the world by train. (And darling, that was so vital to this time-traveling blogger â what would I do without train travel! Imagine what it must have been like for folks back then with a few hours or days needed for a single journey. )
The United States was still quite new, just beginning its presidency under Andrew Jackson.
Fashion trends included puffed sleeves, corsets, and lots of elaborate frills - yes, sounds quite tutu like to me!
*But itâs back to my passion for *tutus that takes us on these amazing historical journeys, dear friends! I will be returning next week, with even more insights and information about the amazing history of the tutu. Until then, keep twirling and let your passion for ballet take flight. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and on our www.pink-tutu.com website, too! #TutuTuesday, #TutuLove, #HistoryOfTheTutu, #TimeTravelTutu. **
Oh, darling, and please, keep tutu-ing yourself and spread the tutu love wherever you go! And yes, wear a pink tutu, itâs always in style! đ
Until next week, dearest readers, stay fabulous!
Lots of love, Emma.
