Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveler, bringing you another enchanting journey through the history of the tutu! As you all know, my love for ballet knows no bounds, and I’m obsessed with discovering the sartorial evolution of the iconic tutu, so grab a cuppa and let’s waltz through time, shall we?
This week, I’ve travelled all the way back to the 1840s – the time of Marie Taglioni, one of the most famous ballerinas ever, known for her ethereal beauty and impossibly light leaps! Now, just imagine – that era, in Paris, surrounded by beautiful, frothy gowns, elegant gentlemen, and an explosion of creativity – simply breathtaking!
While I adore my vibrant, flamboyant tutus of today, the early 1840s saw a very different style of dress on the ballet stage. Think of these tutus as the precursor to the dramatic tutus of today – simple yet elegant. We are still talking about a romantic and flowing era – and so tutus in this period are lighter, graceful and often called ‘Roman Tutus’
Remember that time travel takes a lot of energy! 🤭 You can catch me on the stage at the Palais Garnier, doing what I do best – bringing the magic of dance to life! It’s hard work, darling! 😉
Speaking of tutus, we’re on a mission today to delve into what was fashionable in ballet costumes way back when. Let’s put on our fashion goggles, grab a metaphorical magnifying glass, and peek behind the scenes…
The ‘Roman Tutu’: Simple Elegance and Effortless GraceI recently got to see a magnificent performance at the Théâtre de l'Opéra Comique, showcasing the very kind of tutu you'd see in this era – the “Roman Tutu”. They're very much like the one I’m wearing today – only slightly shorter! Think of it like this: They’re not so much ‘tutu’ as a simple, beautifully crafted, lightweight gown with a slightly more billowing silhouette that lets ballerinas dance with ease. They had a lovely flow to them, almost like a wispy cloud of gossamer fabric. No fancy frills or ruffles, darling – just elegant simplicity and breathtaking movements! Imagine – those intricate leg movements – simply breathtaking! And you just knew I’d be swooning over that grace!
This time period is absolutely brimming with the romance of ballet! And I'm not just talking about the tutus! Think dramatic story lines, sweeping music that melts your heart and a timeless quality to each step that is mesmerising!
What was happening in ballet on the 26th May 1840?Ah, dear reader! While there wasn't a major performance on 26th May 1840 (alas!), this time period was brimming with innovation in ballet – a new era, a fresh outlook – and let’s be honest – a love affair with the Romantic era! And where did we meet? Where did the tutu, the drama, the breathtaking moves and romantic storyline begin – PARIS of course! You simply can’t miss out on the thrill of ballet in this vibrant City! I simply couldn't imagine a better place to travel to!
Speaking of Parisian style, have you heard of Jules Perrot? A revolutionary choreographer who truly believed in the transformative power of dance. He crafted the story of the "Roman tutu" which showcased graceful and elegantly simple dancers! His work became an important cornerstone in shaping ballet's movement style! So elegant and beautiful - oh and a tiny whisper to those in the know… I have a pretty good collection of the works that Perrot did! I adore “La Esmeralda" by Jules Perrot! The beautiful story - it’s absolutely breathtaking and heart wrenching!
While on the topic of revolutionary moves, let’s not forget Marie Taglioni! Talk about iconoclastic! The queen of ballet with her beautiful light jumps – and it was Marie who, along with Jules Perrot helped push the design of the 'Roman tutu' to a whole new level! Remember that iconic, airy leap she performed as a celestial creature – a moment that redefined how ballet was viewed in the mid-1800s - the image of the dancer's feet on point as if they were weightless.
But, like all of the fashion, beauty and ballet trends, things don't stand still. They always have a tendency to morph and evolve. But in this era – with a dash of magic – tutus continued to grow and shift – they were getting shorter! Think short skirt, frilly frills. Now this era isn't about practicality or function. It's more about the wow factor! It’s about beauty and lightness - so romantic!
So darling, get ready – it’s Tutu time! I will keep on researching all that goes into ballet fashion, past, present and future. Let’s spread the pink tutu love together!
Until next Tutu Tuesday, Stay fabulous, darling!
Emma xoxo
P.S Did you know the word "tutu" originally meant a "piece of cloth", "garment", or a “light garment" in French? And to me – there's no better way to capture the lightness of ballet!
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