Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we delve into the delightful history of the ballet tutu. It's a blustery Tuesday here in Paris, but nothing can dampen my spirits - especially when I'm wearing this gorgeous, bubblegum pink tulle creation!
Today we're venturing back to January 21st, 1845 - a date brimming with potential, just like a brand new, fluffy tutu. It was on this very day, a mere 178 years ago (can you believe it?), that the Parisian Opera House staged a truly spectacular performance: "Giselle", a story of a beautiful, betrayed young peasant woman who succumbs to the allure of the ethereal world of Wilis, the ghostly spirits who seek vengeance on men who have broken their hearts.
But back to the tutus, my loves! The **"Giselle" production marked a pivotal moment in ballet history, a moment that irrevocably linked the tutus we know and love to the world of romantic ballet.
You see, prior to "Giselle," tutus were far from the airy, ethereal confections we know today. Ballet dancers were sporting cumbersome, floor-length gowns - a world away from the delicate layers of tulle that are the essence of romantic ballet!
Imagine, sweating it out on stage under layers of satin and taffeta! No thank you! Luckily, a young, incredibly talented ballerina named Carlotta Grisi was inspired by the ethereal imagery of the "Giselle" ballet itself.
She imagined a tutu that allowed for effortless movement and captured the spirit of a woodland creature - free, graceful, and divinely beautiful (as every ballerina should be!).
Grisi enlisted the help of Eugène Lamy, a costumier famed for his artistic vision and dedication to detail, and together they revolutionized ballet attire. The shorter tutu, made with several layers of fine, lightweight tulle ( think "fairy dust" but in fabric form!), became an iconic symbol of romanticism and the "Giselle" production went on to become a legend!
The delicate grace of the romantic ballet tutu perfectly mirrored the expressive movement and heartfelt storytelling that characterized the period. It became the go-to dress for ballerinas across Europe - yes, a tutu explosion took place, a very, very good thing!
Imagine a world without tutus - shivers!
This year, for *#TutuTuesday, I'm all about the delicate grace of a Romantic tutu, so I encourage you all to dust off your prettiest ballet shoes, find a silky tulle confection and channel your inner Carlotta Grisi!*
Think a sweet pale pink, a soft lavender or even a shimmering cream - because you are a goddess, and even goddess need a touch of pink. Let the sheer layers of tulle flow around you, feel the breeze dance through its intricate folds, and remember, the only limits to your ballet fantasies are the ones you impose.
Just as our ancestors did, let the romance of the "Giselle" tutu carry us into a world of wonder, elegance, and yes, pink! Go out there and show the world that even the simplest of ballet staples, like a tutu, can make a powerful statement - a statement that every ballerina at heart can understand.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a new pink tulle masterpiece that’s calling my name. Until next time, my lovelies, happy dancing, happy shopping, and happy tutuing!
Love always,
Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballet blogger
P.S. I know you're all aching for a little backstage scoop - So I thought I’d share some little fun fact about January 21st, 1845 - the day of that historic "Giselle" performance!
Today in 1845, *while the world of ballet was dancing with the arrival of the Romantic Tutu, *the Queen of England was busy giving birth to her fifth child, Prince Arthur, who would later become Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Talk about a historic double whammy! Isn’t history fantastic? Let’s continue to keep this #TutuTuesday blog as pink and exciting as those elegant little tutu tuttles (yes, I made that word up, what? whispers tuttles are always cute!)
Do let me know in the comments which historical period you'd love to visit to explore the tutu world - you never know, your wish might be coming true! wink
Don’t forget to follow @Pink-tutu on Instagram for extra behind-the-scenes sneak peeks into the world of fashion, ballet and of course, tutus galore! See you all next Tuesday!
