Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident Tutu Tuesday time traveler, bringing you another installment of our delightful journey through the history of the ballet tutu! Today we're stepping back in time to August 9th, 1836. Now, imagine this: no bustling London streets filled with pink tutus, no ballets spilling with magical stories, no "Street Ballet" for that matter! 🤯 Oh, the injustice! But fear not, for this Tuesday, I’m whisking you away on a fabulous train journey to the very heart of the ballet scene in 1836 Paris.
The Rise of Romanticism: A Parisian Ballet Boom
Let me tell you, darling, Paris in 1836 was buzzing with ballet. It was like a beautiful butterfly fluttering on a Parisian cafe table, captivating all eyes! You see, in the early 19th century, ballet was swept up in the Romantic movement, much like our current adoration of ballet's athletic grace and lyrical beauty. They craved passion and ethereal charm – and you bet, the tutu delivered!
Before the Romantic Revolution: Ballet in its Corseted Days
Imagine a ballerina confined in a very un-tutu-like getup, sporting a heavy, layered skirt that would make even the most determined swan unable to take flight! These earlier tutus were designed for courtly dancing, and were heavy and intricate, almost like a ballroom gown, with layers upon layers of petticoats and silk. Think grand but rather restrictive. The tutu back then? Well, let's say it had the elegance of a carriage but none of the effortless movement of a ballerina. But like our love for tutus, change was afoot!
The Rise of the "Tutu Romanesque"
This time was a complete revolution for the ballerina! August 9th, 1836 was smack-bang in the middle of it all, just a couple of years after a revolutionary ballet, La Sylphide, changed the game completely! It wasn't the plot, darling, though the ballet did feature an ethereal Sylphide who danced beautifully, it was the costume! The ballet's principal ballerina, Marie Taglioni, revolutionised the look with her flowing white costume that included a short, soft skirt which was, in fact, our beloved tutu! It was called the tutu romantique and the world of dance went wild.
Dancing in the Romanticism Era:
This time in dance was an age of magic. Gone were the rigid steps of the earlier court dances. Think about ethereal dances with graceful leaps and fluttery steps that seem to dance on air. Ballet dancers would flutter like delicate flowers caught in a breeze. Ballet started to become, dare I say, "the ultimate expression of grace and beauty" (a bit like us and our pink tutus)! And, in a wonderful turn of events, this made the romantic tutu a must-have accessory!
My Paris Adventure: On the Hunt for Inspiration!
Being a Tutu Tuesday enthusiast, you just KNOW I couldn't miss a chance to travel to Paris in 1836, could I? And when you’re in Paris, my dears, you need to be a Parisian! So, naturally, I hit the boulevards for a dose of Parisian chic and made a stop at the beautiful Palais Garnier – though it wouldn't be completed for quite some time! It's the iconic Opera House, darling, and I absolutely fell in love with its opulent charm and dramatic style! This building truly embodies the Romantic movement. Imagine being here back then - the opulence, the grandeur! Oh my goodness, my mind just danced in delight!
Dress to Impress: A Ballet Lover's Parisian Dream!
My Paris escapade wouldn't be complete without shopping for some exquisite fabrics, wouldn't you agree? The silk and lace in Parisian boutiques at this time? The crème de la crème of fashion. Think romantic, billowing fabrics that perfectly mimicked the fluttering movement of a dancer. The beauty, my darling, was quite breathtaking. In fact, I must confess I snagged myself some luscious, dreamy fabric perfect for my next tutu creation. (You will love this one, darlings! Let me tell you, it's going to be sensational! Think light as a feather!)
The Tutu as Inspiration for the Fashionable
Believe it or not, darlings, this Parisian Romantic era is directly related to why ballet tutus became such an integral part of our everyday wardrobes today! Ballet had a massive impact on high fashion! The ballet dancer in her "romantic" tutu was a muse for Parisian designers – a source of inspiration for fashion trends that reached all corners of the world! You see, the tutu’s flowing beauty brought elegance and fluidity into the streets.
Let’s Take a Walk Down the Runway... of History
Imagine my excitement, darling, to discover that even then, the elegant simplicity of the romantic tutu made its way into everyday wear! They would wear these tutus with fashionable Parisian touches. Think, for instance, of romantic-era women wearing white satin or muslin versions of tutus with floral embellishments for a sophisticated stroll along the Seine. They had to feel the ballet magic!
The Beauty of a Dance with Time:
Just like a pirouette in a beautifully choreographed dance, our ballet tutu journey keeps spinning. And it’s because of the "romantic tutu" from 1836 and onward that we get to embrace the joyful whimsy of wearing our tutus with such style! Oh my, how glorious that would have been, to be in Paris on that day! It all adds to the sheer delight of Tutu Tuesday, doesn't it? Every time we take a look at a ballerina on stage, a historical connection exists – one of grace, of movement, and above all, style! So, remember, dear darlings, each time you put on a tutu, you’re stepping into a grand legacy – a legacy of elegance, grace, and, well, simply beautiful dancing!
Until next week, don't forget to embrace the tutu love, dance with delight, and stay sparkly, darlings!
Love,
Emma xoxox
P.S. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for my Tutu Tuesday blog posts!
Now, it's your turn! What does Tutu Tuesday inspire you to do this week? Let me know in the comments below! 💖