Dearest readers,
Hello from Paris, darling! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad blogger Emma here, and I'm back with another thrilling instalment of your weekly Ballet Tutu History!
Today, March 25th 1845, we're going to take a little journey back in time, not by train (although I would love to go on a vintage train ride), but through the fascinating world of tutus and their early evolution. This period is brimming with excitement and change, a time of experimentation that gave birth to some of the most iconic costumes we know and love today.
(Image of a painting or print showing ballet dancers of the period - maybe Carlotta Grisi or a performance scene of this era, with Emma standing before the image and giving a dramatic, smiling pose in a pink tutu!)
You see, my loves, tutus as we know them now weren't just magically poofing into existence! It was a process, and you can see those early stages clearly in this exciting period. Now, while today we are all familiar with the magnificent airy tutu worn by ballerinas of today, this era was a time of transition. Imagine! Before this time, the skirts worn by ballerinas were rather large, and while some of those shapes remain elegant, they were just a bit too voluminous! Just imagine, miles of fabric! They must have needed an entire wardrobe of assistants just to dress for one performance.
This date is particularly important, because the ballerina Carlotta Grisi (yes, a stunning woman! Do you know she once travelled in a hot air balloon to escape an admirer?!), with the incredible choreographer Jules Perrot, was busy revolutionising the ballet world with her captivating performances in La Fille du Régiment which debuted in London the very year, 1845! In this ballet, she appeared in a shortened, lighter, much more ethereal dress. And my darlings, can you even imagine?! That iconic ballerina with a billowing, barely there skirt! Just breathtaking! This style went on to become a big trend in the 1840s, ushering in a new era of light and graceful ballet movements that captivated audiences around the world.
Imagine being in the audience that evening! It was a new world, a ballet revolution, and this style set the stage for what we have today. This is a day we can celebrate for being part of the evolution of our beloved tutu. We must be so thankful to her! And Perrot, of course, he helped shape ballet in a very unique way.
Just think: without that fateful decision in London, where might we be today? Perhaps we'd still be wading through oceans of fabric and cumbersome outfits? Thankfully, Grisi and Perrot gave us the foundation to have that gorgeous, free-flowing tutu! A much needed liberation for ballerinas! They didn’t just dance, my loves. They paved the way for future dancers to have freedom of movement! They took the leap. (Cue dramatic applause.)
This new tutu was, however, not an overnight change. Even within a year, some dancers wore more restrictive skirts! I find it fascinating, darling. How these trends evolved. Like a blossoming flower!
*(Image of a glamorous looking ballet theatre in London circa 1845 or another theatre/theatre program featuring *La Fille du Régiment)
I often say that the way we dress today is deeply impacted by this fascinating period. And think, dear reader, the impact La Fille du Régiment has had on ballet and dress! All of these historical influences, like an ancient, secret recipe. Imagine what other hidden gems await us in this journey of the tutu. I for one, can't wait to delve deeper.
But I must get back to the present day! I just caught a glimpse of an absolutely stunning dress in a window display on the way to the coffee shop! I imagine it's a little like that dreamy tulle of the first tutus, but much, much more delicate! So don't forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and join me for our weekly journey through tutu history. Because every Tuesday, we dance back in time to a world where style and history intertwine.
Until next time, stay beautiful and don't forget to rock a pink tutu! Your fellow ballet lover,
Emma
