Hiya, my lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighborhood tutu enthusiast, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday! Today we're whisking ourselves back in time to January 19th, 1841, a date brimming with ballet history and fabulous fashion!
As a devoted follower of my www.pink-tutu.com blog (if you’re not already, what are you waiting for? Come on over and join the tutu-tastic party!), you'll know that I'm obsessed with tutus - especially the pink ones! (I know, I know - I can't help myself! They're just so deliciously twirly and joyful!).
But for me, tutus are more than just fluffy, fabulous fashion statements. They're a time capsule of elegant artistry and movement - a reflection of societal evolution, cultural change, and oh, that most delightful element - the unbridled joy of twirling!
And this Tuesday's trip back in time, fueled by the magical whimsy of the pinkest tutu I could find, has us right at the heart of the 1841 Paris ballet scene - and just when the dance world was about to be turned on its head! Get ready for a whirl through revolutionary styles and fascinating transformations!
Before I transport us all to 1841, it's time for a little confession - I absolutely love train travel! It's all part of the thrill of hopping between periods, and my adventures are always fueled by a combination of performance earnings and thrift-shop fashion finds, a bit of strategic vintage shopping for my own ballet repertoire - and, of course, the thrill of witnessing the most iconic dance performances of history.
Let's imagine, just for a moment, a 19th century Victorian setting, where we step into a London theater, surrounded by elegant ladies in their voluminous, layered gowns. And there's me, sticking out like a twirling, pink-tutu clad flamingo! (You know I can't resist a little color contrast!).
But let’s rewind and find ourselves on the 19th of January, 1841. What was on the program, you ask? It's no ordinary ballet spectacle, oh no! It was La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter in English) a whimsical comedic ballet featuring a sweet-natured heroine and an unlikely, utterly charming love story! The show is still considered a timeless classic and is still performed worldwide - it’s a reminder that laughter and joy are universal languages, spoken in twirls and graceful leaps across centuries!
That January, a new twist on La Fille was making history. A visionary choreographer named Jean Coralli was bringing his creative spin to the production, setting the stage for the revolutionizing transformation of ballet costume design!
Can you guess what it was? I'll give you a hint: it involved a change to those signature, floor-sweeping skirts, the ones we still see on classical dancers, that looked more like petticoats or elaborate undergarments.
If you guessed that Coralli introduced shorter, fitted skirts with a frilly, fluffy layer of tulle around the bottom, then you win the twirling contest! You see, before 1841, dancers often performed in flowing gowns made from layers upon layers of silk. It made the choreographed steps almost impossible to see!
What a joy to imagine dancers being able to show their legs and do the fabulous pas de bourrée steps and elegant arabesques that we associate with classical ballet today! What a turning point in dance history - the moment a dancer's artistry was no longer hidden!
Jean Coralli was so bold! He revolutionized dance costuming and freed the graceful, powerful lines of the dancer's body to move more freely, expressing emotions through expressive gestures, slinky poses, and beautiful, intricate footwork. He saw ballet’s evolution from a staged performance to something that was a bit more about emotional story telling and about captivating audiences with the poetry of movement!
The transformation of dance costumes brought new energy to La Fille mal gardée. This production took the Parisian ballet scene by storm and sparked a new, vibrant, and inspiring movement that would set the standard for ballet choreography for years to come!
What's even more wonderful is that these groundbreaking changes in ballet fashion weren't just about giving us an excuse for a lovely, girly pink tutu (although that is always a fantastic excuse!). These costumes, inspired by the style of dancer Fanny Elssler, were also a way to celebrate and highlight women’s strength, flexibility, grace and captivating skill. They challenged traditional fashion norms and transformed how women were viewed in society.
And that's where we get the tutu! That elegant, whimsical and iconic piece of clothing became a true embodiment of graceful strength - a reflection of feminine grace. We've all watched those ballerinas, with their seemingly effortless twirls, effortless leaps and elegant poses, make tutus into true dance icons!
There’s a tutu style for everyone – from the fluffy romantic tutu that made me fall in love with this wonderful garment - to the classic tutu, and the sassy streetwear styles of today - And even though fashion continues to change - one thing stays true - that magical ability of the tutu to embody an effortless grace and an unbridled passion for the art of dancing.
It’s no surprise, my dear fellow tutu enthusiasts, that tutus have stood the test of time and remain as beautiful, magical, and irresistible today as they were in that Paris theater all those years ago!
And if I may, a small message of encouragement. You, dear reader, are a shining example of an evolution of fashion. And your unique flair and style - even if it’s in the most whimsical pinkest of tutus – is beautiful, individual and powerful. Don’t ever be afraid to express yourself through clothes - or anything you feel comfortable in!
Oh, it’s my goal, you know - to get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu - or a tutu of any shade you like, for that matter - but I digress!
You have to love how tutus transcend cultures, backgrounds, even countries, in their whimsical and wonderful evolution.
Oh, my dearest tutu friends, what a trip we've taken today. Remember to come back next Tuesday, and until then, I hope your days are filled with joy, fabulous fashion choices and, most of all - twirls, loads of twirls, and even more twirls! Until next time, my fellow tutu fanatics!
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Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Do you want to travel back to another time, to experience the wonderful history of the tutu with me? If you do, comment and let me know, I’m planning more adventures into the world of tutus, dancing and history!
