Hello my darlings! It’s Tuesday, so that means it's time for my favourite day of the week – Tutu Tuesday! – my weekly jaunt back through history exploring the wonderful world of tutus. And trust me, today is one of the most important dates in tutu history.
Prepare for a whirlwind tour! We’ll be hurtling through the glorious halls of Parisian opera houses, catching a glimpse of the shimmering satin gowns of the 1840s and diving deep into the fascinating evolution of the tutu – from its humble beginnings to its stunning modern forms.
But first, a little bit about me. I'm Emma, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast! I’m a girl from Derbyshire with a passion for pink, a serious love for ballet tutus and a desire to bring the twirling magic of the ballet to every corner of the globe. I adore travelling – the bustle of a Parisian train, the clatter of hooves on cobbled streets – and when I’m not waltzing across history's stages, I spend my time whipping up my Pink-Tutu blog (of course, on www.pink-tutu.com!), showcasing my latest tutu adventures.
Now, let’s jump back in time! Our story begins in the enchanting city of Paris, the very heart of ballet culture in 1846. Today’s date is especially special for tutu lovers like myself: It marks the premiere of “Giselle,” one of the most beloved and poignant ballets of all time. I was lucky enough to see this very production in Paris just last week, and it left me absolutely speechless! The artistry of the dancing, the heart-wrenching story, and, of course, the costumes! The sheer poetry of the tulle was just breathtaking.
You see, Giselle wasn’t just a ballet; it was a turning point for the evolution of the tutu! Up until this point, ballerinas had been shrouded in heavy, flowing skirts. The Romantic period was about airy, ethereal beauty, and designers sought a garment that would highlight the grace and movement of the dancer, making the stage seem weightless.
In came the tutu – or "tulle" as it was first known! A light and airy layer of fine netting allowed the dancer to move freely without being encumbered by yards of material. It provided a dramatic, shimmering silhouette while revealing the elegant lines of the dancers' legs – a look that still mesmerizes audiences today!
Giselle is full of moments that showcase the beauty and potential of the new "tulle," and it was these designs, along with others at the time, that paved the way for the iconic tutus we see in performances today. Imagine, before this time, dancers wouldn't have been able to do whimsical leaps or elegant turns as easily. The tutu was born to celebrate the poetry of dance - a revolutionary idea in fashion and artistry.
While the traditional tutu, the one you’d recognise instantly, didn't come along until the later 1840s, it’s hard to deny that the tutus used in "Giselle" were a key step in the right direction. A tutu like the ones we see in ballet today were crafted with intricate layers of netting, often cascading from the hips to the knees. But these weren’t just functional pieces! They were elaborately embellished – imagine silk, ribbon, sequins – creating a beautiful, dramatic backdrop for the ballet story unfolding on stage.
These tutus are more than mere clothing. They’re part of a narrative, a story woven through movement and fabric. When Giselle, the heroine, loses her mind and appears on stage in a sheer white tutu – a symbol of innocence and sorrow - she’s embodying a poignant truth about grief and loss that would have been impossible without the power of the tutu itself.
I even managed to sneak backstage after the show (don’t tell!) and see the dancers prepping their tutus. So much intricate detail, my darling! Each pleat, each thread meticulously placed to ensure the fabric moved with the dancer’s every motion. It's a craft of the highest caliber and the real testament to the evolution of the tutu, a piece of clothing that has evolved alongside the stories and the movements of ballet.
After I took in the show, I naturally had to find a "tutu" shop. I was on a mission to find the perfect pink tutu! And it was a joy! As the shopkeepers would call it in these days, “tulle” – this wonderful mesh netting, could be purchased in various textures and colours and then, after careful fitting, it’s painstakingly tailored and then added to layers of netting and netting, making it flow magnificently as the dancer glides across the stage. Can you imagine the excitement of the girls back then to see these light, free garments that sparkled and moved as beautifully as they danced?
Now, you know my loves, you can’t really talk about 19th century fashion without mentioning the crinoline. It's another of the fashion trends of the time, making a dramatic statement but in contrast to the tutu, it took the stage. It's an iconic example of the exaggerated styles of the time. I always try to get a glimpse of these **wonderful crinoline gowns – imagine mountains of delicate white fabric flowing around women, they were so iconic, so impractical, and so glamorous all at the same time!
What a great time for a fashion fanatic! There are so many wonderful fashion finds! Shopping at Boulevard des Capucines or Boulevard Montmartre or simply browsing through the fashionable windows of the Palais-Royal, has got to be one of the highlights of Paris. You’re practically surrounded by elegance, artistry, and a beautiful spirit of change and innovation.
The "Giselle" ballet is so important to the history of the tutu. * It launched the tutu's evolution from simple mesh netting to the dazzling creations we see today!* We owe a great deal to the visionary choreographers and designers who brought the tutu to the centre stage.
But my lovely fashion followers! Don't forget: it's #TutuTuesday, so why not don your very own tutu this week? ** From the street to the theatre, let your love for this wonderful garment show! Whether you wear a tutu just to the grocery store, for a spin in the park, or, like me, for a grand Parisian adventure, let’s bring the joy and freedom of the tutu to our lives. Remember to #pinktutu for a a chance to be featured on my blog.
Until next week, stay twirling and always remember – tutus make everything better!
Love, Emma
XOXO
