Hey lovelies! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, back with another edition of Tutu Tuesday. It’s a blustery January day here in London, the kind where the fog hangs low and the cobblestones glisten with a cold, wet sheen. But you know me, a bit of chilly weather can’t dampen my spirits, especially when there’s such fascinating history to delve into!
This week, I'm taking a trip back in time to January 20th, 1835, a date that might not immediately spring to mind as a turning point in tutu history, but trust me, it’s got a few little surprises up its sleeve!
Now, imagine it's 1835. The bustle of London streets is filled with horse-drawn carriages and elegant ladies in their finest attire. Think silks, velvets, and plenty of lace! At the grand theatres, like the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the Covent Garden, opera is all the rage. But within those walls, something else is brewing...
While ballerinas of the day would have been quite familiar with skirts, think more long, flowing, and cumbersome than the whimsical tutus we know today. Think layers upon layers of fabric! These skirts could be quite heavy, which hampered their freedom of movement, which in turn meant there was less room for innovative choreography. But oh, the costumes! The ladies in their gowns, those intricate silk sleeves and elaborate hats, were truly stunning!
Now, for this trip down memory lane, we need to travel across the English Channel.
That's where my trusty travelling companion, the steam train, comes in! I do love my rail travel and even in these earlier years, it really opened up the possibilities to explore different eras and destinations for my ballet adventures.
Let's alight from our journey at the Grand Opera in Paris on the 20th of January. Imagine! In the year 1835, on this very day, Maria Taglioni, a legend in her own right, took to the stage in a truly groundbreaking performance. But you might be saying, Emma, weren't tutus around way before that? And you'd be absolutely right to think so! But this particular moment was a game-changer in the history of the tutu, in a way that changed things forever, just like those delightful ruffled layers and those amazing bonnets of that era.
Maria, wearing a dazzling white dress, and with an array of graceful steps, made ballet history and her performance caused a stir that spread through the world like a wave of grace and innovation!
It wasn’t a tutu in the way we think of it today – a light, flowing creation designed for ease of movement. Maria wore a dress which was shortened and tiered! This innovative costume allowed for movement that no one had seen before, a flowing, effortless grace that redefined the language of ballet. It was revolutionary! The shorter skirts, while still relatively modest for the time, helped showcase the movement in a way that had never been done before.
Maria's daring dress was truly revolutionary in more ways than one. It broke with tradition and paved the way for more fluid, expressive ballet choreography. We all know those graceful leaps and turns! I mean, wouldn’t you want to see those mesmerizing steps in full flow without the restrictions of heavy layers and voluminous skirts? Talk about graceful movement!
This particular skirt style, which came to be known as the "Taglioni skirt" would inspire designers in the years to come, ushering in a new era of freedom of movement and graceful storytelling for ballet.
From the Victorian era and onwards, designers experimented with different fabrics, shapes and techniques, creating those glorious tutus that we cherish and wear with such passion and flair, those amazing tutus! Some were lighter and softer, embracing ethereal designs, whilst others explored elaborate creations using layers of silk and tulle.
I simply love all these different iterations! We can trace our obsession with the tutu, from those simple beginnings, to those delightful little girls, in their sparkly ballet tutus, all the way to the glorious, beautiful, long-legged tutus in classical ballet productions today! I would love to see all the glorious costumes on those talented ballerinas!
Fast-forwarding to the 1900s , we see even more experimentation. From the romantic "soft" tutu, with its billowing layers of tulle, to the bold and sculptural "classical" tutu, tutus came to symbolise the elegance and grace of ballet, the joy and excitement of each and every performance!
I simply adore all these styles of the tutu. Whether you find your personal favourite in the classical and romantic or modern tutu designs, there is always something unique and spectacular in each. Let’s take our journey, one tutu at a time. I even adore my tutu on my tutu walks through the parks and streets. To me, the tutu is more than just an outfit; it's a symbol of artistry, elegance, and a spirit of joy.
Today, even after all these years, we find the tutu continuing to evolve, inspiring fashion designers to create new takes on classic shapes and colors. It is no surprise then, to find many famous haute couture designers in the past decade using tulle for extravagant creations. From the runway to everyday wear, the tutu's spirit continues to inspire and captivate us!
Don’t be shy about your tutu love and embrace its captivating power. Because let's face it, a tutu can make you feel like a ballerina, no matter your age or ability. And, remember: If you can dream it, you can do it! You don't need to be a dancer to enjoy wearing a tutu, or to find yourself captivated by the history behind these breathtaking pieces of artistry.
Tutu Tuesday, once a week, keeps us moving towards that passion. As for my plans? You guessed it! I'm off to London's West End this weekend, for a glorious night at the ballet! 🩰
So what will be my ballet inspired outfit of the week? Let's just say... it’s gonna be fabulous, with a whole lot of pink tulle! 😉
And speaking of pink tulle... * remember to head on over to my favourite shop on Oxford Street! They've got some truly gorgeous tutus, including a limited-edition pink one inspired by my latest Ballet Tutu History adventures. Don't miss out, my dear readers, you know you'll love it!
See you all next week, for more tutu history, fun, fashion, and adventures! Remember: It's not just a tutu; it's a way of life!
Until next week, Love, Emma
#TutuTuesday #BalletTutuHistory #PinkTutu #EmmaLovesTutus #TutusAreTheBest
