Hello my darling dears!
Welcome back to my blog, Pink Tutu, where we explore the delightful world of tutus – those glorious frilly delights! I’m Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast and history buff. It's #TutuTuesday again and that means a trip back through time for our ballet-loving adventures! I'm feeling incredibly festive, so let’s step onto the stage of history together and bask in the glamorous sparkle of the 1840s, where tutus were still relatively new on the scene!
Now, if you’re feeling fancy, I have just the thing: an outfit worthy of our historical ballet tour. Think delicate tulle layered with pink satin, flowing ribbons tied into a beautiful bow at the back of your neck, and dainty slippers to match – all perfect for an enchanting afternoon at the ballet. We're channeling the very essence of the ballet era with our own modern flair, just like a real time-travelling ballerina should!
Oh, and darling! Have I mentioned my trip by train was simply divine? It was such a joy to see the world whizzing by in my pristine pink tulle dress! Speaking of joy, it feels so right to be back here, writing to all of you – my fabulous ballet-loving friends.
Today, May 16th, 1843, is a particularly exciting day because the very first version of “La Bayadère” ballet premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Can you believe it? The first ballet of its kind - so, darling, if you find yourself in the historical Russian capital, do be sure to check it out!
Stepping back in Time with the Ballerinas!
Before the iconic tutu reigned supreme on the stages of the world, dancers wore longer, heavier skirts which were quite restrictive! Imagine dancing in a floor-length gown, darling – the effort involved! Imagine those beautiful jumps being impossible to perform!
Thankfully, during the Romantic Era of ballet, the “tutu” emerged – that dazzling, delicate frill of tulle, that gives ballerinas freedom of movement and grace, all while being breathtakingly beautiful.
So, what kind of tutus were gracing the stage back in 1843?
They were known as The Romantic Tutu, an enchanting blend of sheerness and graceful length. Imagine a long flowing skirt with frilled tiers of tulle starting at the knees. These skirts were very popular as they perfectly blended with the themes of romance, freedom, and magical tales which were central to the ballet plots of the period!
And that is not the end of it, my dears. They came in all sorts of delightful shades of light blue, baby pink, soft lilac, and, naturally, a very pretty white – just think of the sheer elegance. Think romantic stories set in ethereal magical landscapes, beautiful fairies with ethereal light, and all that romance, love, and loss - so enchanting!
Imagine those romantic costumes. They were very fitting for those graceful moves, those leaps into the air, those twirls and that iconic point of the toe!
But let's be honest, the best thing about the tutus was that it helped highlight the ballet’s true artistry, allowing the grace and athleticism of the ballerinas to take centre stage! It is one of the most recognisable fashion pieces in the history of ballet.
Fashion and The Ballet
The romantic period also saw a fascinating shift in ballet costume, especially when we talk about the ballerina itself, right? No more of those heavy, restrictive skirts. Gone are the days of corseted bodices - thankfully, gone!
Ballerinas embraced airy lightweight gowns which perfectly complimented their ethereal movements and graceful artistry. A new lighter lighter fashion trend, perfect for ballerinas – I do love it!
Imagine flowing, sheer, gauzy, white or pastel skirts with lovely little flowers - think forget-me-nots and little lilies, darling!
Don't you love how elegant, simple, and understated it all was?
The romanticism of it all was very elegant!
Travelling with The Tutu:
The Tutu - so timeless. This was a magical era for ballet costumes! A true fashion marvel, as it was perfectly crafted to let these amazing ballerinas show off their dance moves!
From beautiful La Sylphide, Giselle ( I do so love this ballet) to The Sleeping Beauty, these elegant pieces have stayed with us ever since, influencing later costume designs throughout history! I do so love these classic ballets. They are an eternal celebration of the romance, the artistry, the movement.
And the ballet dresses? I am off to find a beautiful romantic-era dress, I just have to, to show off the graceful romance! Oh, the delight of having a tutu!
Oh, it is such a joyous thing to get lost in this rich history of our beautiful world of tutus, dear friends! We need to be eternally thankful for the designers and artists that put together such breathtaking designs. These magnificent creations make our heart feel filled with wonder, magic, and a sense of endless wonder - and don’t forget, my wonderful friends, I simply adore every single tutu!
Do you have a favorite Tutu from the romantic period? What are your thoughts? Do write me a letter and we will post them up in a special post, a lovely ballet ballet collection!
*So, my darling dears, join me next Tuesday for a fresh look into ballet tutu history! *
Until next time, darling dears! Don’t forget to share this post with your ballet-loving friends. Be sure to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for even more enchanting ballet stories and exciting tutus!
I can’t wait to dance with you again next week! **
Stay stylish and graceful, Emma **
PinkTutu TutuTuesday BalletHistory Fashion Ballerina