#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1845-12-02

Hello darling dears, it's your favourite time-traveling, pink tutu-wearing blogger, Emma, here! Today, I’m bringing you another delicious dollop of Ballet Tutu History!

Gather round and prepare for a delightful journey through time to 2nd December 1845! I'm going to whisk us off to Paris for a delightful whirl amongst the grandeur of the French Ballet. I’m absolutely tickled pink to be here! You wouldn’t believe how excited I am to see the ballerinas whirling around in those beautiful tutus they wear in the theatre - truly a dream come true. And for the month of December 1845 the Paris Opéra has got some beauties on stage for the performance of Giselle.

And of course, the perfect companion for such an evening is, yes, you guessed it… my favourite pink tutu. It's the one with the frilly edges - I simply cannot resist twirling in this particular confection!

But back to 1845 – just think, darlings, it's still over a hundred years before we’ll see the first tutus designed by the wonderful George Balanchine. And, back in 1845, there’s quite a lot going on in the world that we just wouldn’t understand - and of course I am here to break it down and help you with this amazing voyage of tutu discovery!

Before I delve into the delights of Parisian fashion in the ballet world in 1845, let’s look at what the rest of the world was doing. In France, they are in the middle of what's known as the July Monarchy. And if you’re thinking "Ooh! I bet that's got loads to do with tutus!"... then yes! I was thinking exactly the same. As with most things, royal fashion had a lot to do with dance. This was certainly true when Louis XIV created his "Ballet de cour" - but it had less to do with tutu and much more about breeches. A big departure in a short time, huh!

In the meantime, the famous Parisian Opéra was still very popular but sadly it didn’t become the Ballet Opera company until 1989! However, I am quite pleased to tell you that even back then, they didn't seem to care much for only wearing "breeches" for the dance - the dancers still liked their twirling and tutus. In fact, I am very happy to report, this tradition was strong right from the very early days, and would probably be why the very best ballerinas and dancers - like Marie Taglioni – would be famous for the way they moved in a tutu.

Did I tell you? I got a train ticket from Derbyshire all the way to Paris for this particular #TutuTuesday trip! Oh, darling - travelling by train is my new favourite way to go on adventures! Especially when there’s so much to see – and you know me, I always have my favourite camera, so I’m going to pop in some extra snapshots in today’s post, darling dears! You’ll simply have to see some of the costumes they’ve been using! And you know that it’s no coincidence, as we always know that the world of theatre – the dance, music, acting and costuming – all go together in a wonderfully cohesive and rather fabulous ballet.

But back to Paris and this Giselle show at the Paris Opéra, there's not only an amazing story, but such fabulous tutus. It really was the ultimate “look” for the theatre back in the day – and they haven't really changed very much. It’s a testament to the fact that something, sometimes, just gets it right the first time. Like, say, tutù.

And now we need to mention this extraordinary woman –Marie Taglioni! She was famous in France at the time for being the ultimate dancer. But you just have to understand that a ballerina always had to look and move perfectly. This had to happen all in a long flowy tulle dress... It was so essential back in those days that there’d be entire classes in what they called "attitude," "port de bras" and "plié"! Imagine being taught to pose in all the best ways! I think you'd all want to go to a ballet class right this very minute. If you are, make sure your new tutu is ready - go on, darling dear, just go to the ballet shop in town, buy one, it's ok. Now get that tutu, it's your time to dance!

Back in the early nineteenth century, ballerinas just did not have tights on! Can you imagine, darling, those big shoes – in fact very large shoes, designed to enhance and magnify those fabulous movements they would do – and no tights. They even wore a little bit of make up to accentuate their eyes! Well, what else can we expect from an Italian ballerina in France. I really don’t know, what’s more glamorous than a long white tulle dress (usually one very big petticoat) worn to create an illusion, not of being an angel... but definitely something close to it.

Now you must know that in this century there were many different forms of dance – including ballet d’action... but in 1845 everyone really thought it was so important to do a ballet for the pleasure of the movements.

This really became a very sophisticated look with an important design feature - what was really critical was the “look" of “en pointe" and to help the dancer's feet go “on pointe". This was essential. Because remember darling dear - when I said earlier that all the dancers needed lessons on “port de bras”, and so on? This was partly due to the big footwear - and, in particular "the pointe shoe" - which became more refined by 1850.

If you’re asking me, those are very good points! Ballet became much more popular than ever – because not only were the movements important - the tutu and the pointe shoe also helped to make them move. Oh my goodness. Can you imagine that, darling dear?

So, you know that “the movement” was key to the ballet d'action and the look - especially in Paris. Giselle is all about the romanticism of a story that is beautifully acted and interpreted with dancing - all set against some divine Parisian dancing. And as I write, the ballerinas have just stepped out into the spotlight. All those wonderful tulle costumes, their shoes (or “pointes”)... oh the romance of the Parisian ballet. The Parisian tutu was in vogue, with tulle as thin as a spiderweb. And my lovely dears, it has definitely been an inspiring trip!

Back to reality. What have we learnt, my dears? There's more to the Parisian tutu than meets the eye. It’s a journey! If there’s anything I hope that you get out of this, it’s that a ballerina’s outfit isn’t something to be taken lightly. A lot of care goes into the look! And for my dearest darlings... go forth and buy yourself a new tutu. What are you waiting for, my little darlings?! Get twirling!

Lots of love,

Emma x