Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler, and welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday! I've just popped in from a whirlwind trip to the fabulous city of Paris, where, believe me, tutus are taking centre stage in a big way. The Parisian ladies are simply positively bonkers for all things frilly and flowing, and tutus are a firm favourite for soirées, ballets, and even a spot of afternoon tea (although, I’ll admit, the Parisian teapot tutus do tend to be a little bit stiff).
Anyway, I’m here today to whisk you back in time – yes, it's another blast from the past! – and tell you about a momentous date: 10th September 1839. This day marks an absolutely crucial turning point in tutu history. Brace yourselves, dear readers, for this is when a revolutionary change happened to the design of this fabulous garment!
Now, imagine my delight as a lover of tutus (as you all know, my favourite colour is pink and I'm on a mission to get everyone wearing a tutu) when I arrived at the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The year is 1839, and the scene is buzzing with anticipation for the performance of "Giselle". But, you might ask, what's so special about this performance, Emma?
Well, dear friends, this "Giselle" marks a groundbreaking moment in ballet history: it's the first performance featuring a dancer wearing a **Romantic tutu!
You see, before this revolutionary change, dancers performed in the long, cumbersome, and restrictive “bell” style tutus. These beautiful, flowing garments looked amazing – a true feast for the eyes! – but unfortunately, their full length made it a challenge for dancers to move with freedom and grace. You can just imagine how a flurry of swirling silk can trip you up when you're performing complex balletic steps!
So what changed, you ask? Well, the introduction of the "Romantic" tutu ushered in a new era of lightness and freedom in the world of ballet! These tutus, with their shorter skirts and tiered design, allowed for a breathtaking fluidity of movement. It was like seeing ballerinas take flight! No more cumbersome long skirts hampering their graceful leaps and pirouettes!
This shorter length and tighter, tailored fit (think: corset!) served two primary functions. Firstly, it gave ballerinas the space and freedom they needed to perform incredibly challenging and intricate choreography, displaying their agility and technical prowess. The audience could actually see the dancer's beautiful form and movements in all their glory! Secondly, and maybe this is just my inner fangirl talking, this tighter, more fitted silhouette highlighted the ballerina’s silhouette and made those flowing skirts look even more elegant as they twirled.
Oh, but the revolution wasn't only in the cut and shape of the tutu. In the 1830s, as Romantic ballet swept across Europe, fashion changed with it. Colors became lighter and airier, and designs more flowing and free. Ballerinas now had tutus in pale colours – soft pinks, gentle blues, and shimmering whites – echoing the airy, delicate movements of the dances. No more heavy velvets and dark shades!
Oh, but don’t mistake this airy aesthetic for plain! Think feathers, beads, sequins, tulle… these details were incorporated into the Romantic tutu to emphasize its femininity, delicacy, and magical air. Honestly, it was like a cloud of tulle and loveliness!
As I sat mesmerised in the Opéra Garnier watching the Parisian audience lose themselves in the magical spectacle of the "Giselle" performance, I realized the profound impact of this tiny change in tutu history. The shorter Romantic tutu had not only revolutionised the ballet world but also the world of fashion! Imagine, from simple, elegant to fantastical, magical and dazzling - this was truly the start of something truly revolutionary and wonderful for the fashion world. And how lovely to see this lovely dance become so intertwined with style!
And what was I wearing in this whirlwind journey through time? Why, a sparkling pink tutu of course! It goes without saying! It paired perfectly with a delicate lace blouse and a feather boa. Now, wouldn't you just love to see a Paris salon styled with tutus and a feather boa? Perhaps a new addition to the “Salon du Ballet” would look magnificent! Just picture it – tutus adorning hats, teacups, chairs and tablecloths - a visual dream in delicate fabrics!
Now, back to "Giselle" – as you can imagine, I found myself totally entranced by the performance. Watching the ballerinas flit and glide with their new-found freedom and grace was such an inspiration!
It was an evening that solidified my firm belief in the power of tutus – even those made from delicate white or blush tulle! You see, for me, tutus symbolise beauty, grace, and joy. They make us feel magical, feminine, and free to move, laugh, and express ourselves. And what could be more lovely than that?
So, let's spread the love of tutus far and wide, and wear our tutus proudly - wherever and whenever possible! You know what they say – "the more the merrier"!
Remember, darlings, stay tuned for my next #TutuTuesday adventure! It will be another captivating dive into the world of tutus and their history! Until next time, keep twirling and stay fabulous!
Yours in tutu, Emma xx
