Hello, my dears! Welcome back to Pink Tutu for another exciting installment of our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History journey! This week marks blog post number 503, and you know what that means… it’s time to twirl back to 1841!
Can you believe it’s already August? This month has flown by in a whirlwind of waltzes, workshops and lots of lace! This time last week I was attending the most wonderful gala performance at the Grand Théâtre de l'Opéra de Paris. The dancers were exquisite, and the costumes… oh my! Such vibrant colours, intricate embroidery, and yes, you guessed it, the most glorious tutus! Speaking of which… let’s travel back in time, shall we?
I’ve just hopped off the train at the Gare du Nord, a mere twenty-minute journey from the bustling Paris, and let me tell you, darling, that train journey was an absolute dream! Such elegance, such refinement! And, as if to add to the enchantment, the beautiful Parisian countryside is blossoming with poppies and daisies in shades of pink… a fitting reminder for a #TutuTuesday.
Now, imagine yourself, dear readers, in the Paris of 1841. This is the world of Marie Taglioni, a veritable queen of ballet. This was also the world of La Sylphide and Giselle, ballets that captivated audiences with their sheer grace and ethereal beauty. A world of tutus!
A World Without Tutus?
You might be surprised to hear this, but in this year, dear readers, the tutu we know and love wasn’t yet commonplace. Yes, dancers were using a form of skirt called a tutu… tutù in French, but these weren't the bell-shaped wonders we admire today!
Imagine a longer, fuller, slightly pouffy skirt, flowing around the dancer, often featuring intricate ruffles and frills. Quite frankly, a bit of a frump by today’s standards! Don't get me wrong, these early tutus were breathtaking, particularly when worn by dancers of such calibre!
But picture a woman standing onstage in this time, in a white satin bodice, paired with a skirt so full and elaborate…it would have looked like a fairytale! The very embodiment of lightness and grace. A beautiful vision of Romantic Era theatre.
The Art of Tutu Design
The way dancers would perform in such long and luxurious skirts would truly amaze you. It is testament to their strength and grace! The skirt would flow like a dream around them, allowing them to move freely on stage, expressing every subtle movement with captivating elegance.
But things were changing rapidly, darling! The ballerina world, you see, is constantly on the move! As ballet moved through various epochs, so did the tutus, always pushing boundaries and reflecting the style of the times. This shift towards shorter skirts began in 1841, as the stage demanded a change for the next decade's ballet techniques.
I can see it all unfolding right now - those beautifully decorated rooms filled with talented dressmakers meticulously constructing the tutù! Fabrics sourced from the farthest reaches of the world, from softest silk to finest gauze, were carefully cut and sewn to perfection. Each stitch a masterpiece!
As the years progressed, so did the designs and the silhouette of the skirt itself! Can you imagine how thrilling it was to be at the forefront of these advancements, to watch this transformation happen with every new performance? That is the magic of ballet! That constant evolving of design and style!
The Dawn of The Tutu
Think about this, ladies! In just a few years, by the end of this decade, these dancers would be swirling onstage in tutus we recognize today. We are witnessing the birth of an iconic symbol of the dance! So much has been born from this, from a style that has revolutionized fashion forever. From tutus on stages, to tutus at royal balls, even to tutu designs we adore in modern dance!
Speaking of which, wouldn’t you just adore a vintage-style ballet dress for our upcoming picnic by the lake? Perhaps in a gorgeous pastel blue, and adorned with soft ruffles…a truly romantic feel for a lovely, sunny afternoon!
And yes, my lovely friends, as we travel back in time, I will continue to search for that perfect pink tutu, from era to era. What better way to celebrate our shared love for ballet and its glorious history? It will be such fun to explore its evolution, through the decades, as we embrace the spirit of #TutuTuesday!
So, remember, my dears, while the tutu of today might have a modern twist, there is an incredible story to discover beneath every tulle layer. That’s the essence of #TutuTuesday! I hope this post inspires you to celebrate ballet in its entirety. Let us learn from the past, appreciate the present, and twirl towards a tutu-ful future!
Until next time, may your dance shoes be polished, and your days full of tutus!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #Fashionista
