Hello lovelies! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing blogger, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away on another time-travelling adventure! This week, we’re going back to 1st August, 1843, a date brimming with fashion, dance, and excitement! Buckle up your tutus, because we’re off to Paris, the heart of dance and the very soul of tutus. 🇫🇷
It’s fascinating to see how fashion has changed over the years, but let me tell you, when it comes to tutus, the more things change, the more they stay the same!
Right now, as I stand in the elegant, dimly lit theatre box, I can’t help but marvel at the grand ballet performance unfolding before me. The ladies in the audience are resplendent in silks and feathers, with bonnets adorned with flowers and ribbons – such chic elegance! But let’s talk about the real stars of the show: the ballerinas.
Even though tutus were still relatively new to the dance scene, it was this very year in 1843 that the famous “Romantic tutu” reached its peak.
Now, hold on to your bonnets, because this tutu was revolutionary! Gone were the cumbersome, layered, floor-length skirts of the past. Enter the Romantic tutu: a shorter, billowing skirt made of layers of soft tulle and silk, a magical cloud that swirled around the ballerinas' graceful movements. They seemed to float, their ethereal forms almost otherworldly. Imagine delicate butterflies, dancing on a stage illuminated by flickering candlelight. Simply breathtaking.
Speaking of breathtaking, today is a special day because Marie Taglioni is dancing! Imagine, ladies, that Marie Taglioni! The goddess of the ballet, a pioneer of Romantic ballet and the queen of the Romantic tutu. To be a fly on the wall tonight, witnessing her artistry, is the dream of every ballet enthusiast.
*Now, let's talk tutus and fashion. * The Romantic tutu revolutionized dance attire, not only because of its elegance but also for how it enhanced the movements, making the ballerinas seem to glide effortlessly across the stage. It was like a new dawn for ballet!
It wasn’t all sunshine and roses though, ladies. While we’re celebrating this magnificent design, it’s important to note the struggles of those early ballerinas. That Romantic tutu was a technical marvel for the time, but the women in the company had to endure challenging and sometimes restrictive dance practices, tight corsets, and incredibly demanding routines to keep up with the growing popularity of this new era of dance.
But, let’s get back to fashion! Today, the Romantic tutu with its graceful flow was a dream come true! These gorgeous white or pale pink layered tutus, embodied the soft, feminine ideal of the Romantic ballet movement and perfectly complemented the intricate hair styles of the time. Think elegant buns, adorned with elaborate lace ribbons and flower accents. A timeless, graceful look, truly a ballerina's delight!
But hold on a second – remember how I said I travel through time by performing? This isn’t my first visit to 1843 Paris! My last trip was just before the famous Paris Opera House was completed. Remember how in 1841, the city's most renowned theater caught fire? Oh dear, it burned to the ground in a blazing inferno! Talk about a fashion disaster!
Well, good news for fashion-forward dancers, they were able to rebuild it, bigger and even more impressive, within just a couple of years! I must confess, my next ballet adventure will be here, watching a performance in this glorious building, soon as they finish it. Imagine the gowns, the feathers, and most importantly, the glorious tutus!
But before I get ahead of myself, let's not forget about those exquisite tutus worn by these amazing dancers! What truly captured the eye in this Romantic era was the delicate, intricate patterns of tulle, sewn with meticulous precision. Some tutus even boasted embroidery – delicate flowers or elegant motifs - on their tulle layers. A touch of class!
The artistry and detail of this style had everything to do with what made ballet an elite, elegant affair back then. You wouldn’t catch a ballerina looking rough or undone! This period is also associated with a change in ballerina hairstyles. Gone were the elaborate chignons, replaced by more free-flowing curls. The Romantic look demanded elegance and softness.
Don’t be fooled, however, by those flowing tutus. Beneath the billowing layers of tulle were tightly constructed undergarments made of stiff materials like whalebone. Remember ladies, beauty was often a lot of effort!
That said, the impact of these tutus on fashion was tremendous!
What we are seeing right now is the start of what became a true movement. A trend that evolved and adapted to new artistic expressions. But what is fantastic is that it’s not something lost to the past. We’ve come full circle, ladies. Today, in 2023, you can find similar tutus all over, even in modern performances, but with a twist!
Fashion is a magical journey and the evolution of the tutu has shown me that we have the power to keep reinterpreting a classic design in a thousand different ways!
Well, darlings, I have to run, but remember:
Wear your tutus loud and proud! The dance world is waiting for you!
And be sure to stay tuned next Tuesday for another edition of #TutuTuesday.
Yours in tutus,
Emma 🩰💕
