Hello my darling tutu-loving lovelies! Emma here, your favourite pink-loving ballerina blogger, bringing you another peek into the magical history of the tutu! Today, we're going on a whirlwind train trip back to 24th November, 1846. Pack your suitcases with your most fabulous tulle and get ready to step into a world of fashion, theatre, and the very beginnings of our beloved tutu!
Before we start, a little shout-out to everyone joining me for #TutuTuesday! Thank goodness for those glorious Tuesday mornings, it's a lovely day to grab a spot of afternoon tea, a few macarons and let ourselves be whisked away to a world where tulle reigns supreme. Don’t forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com after to see all your beautiful pink tutus. And don't be shy, I want to see those gorgeous twirls in your latest tutu purchases, post your photos to social media and use the hashtag #TutuTuesday. It brings so much joy to my pink-loving heart to see you all living your best tutu lives!
The Ballet Scene
Imagine a time before tutus took over the world! It sounds impossible, right? But darling, you wouldn’t recognise our tutus if you travelled back to the 19th century, not yet! That's where today's little history trip comes in. Let’s get ourselves to a magical ballet show in Paris, 1846, where things were just starting to take shape! Now, Paris is always the epicentre of the latest trends, isn't it? We love those fashionable Parisians.
In 1846, the grand Paris Opera House was bursting with excitement. Imagine – chandeliers sparkling, orchestra tuning up, and an audience adorned with their finest frocks, and of course, opera glasses held high to admire every detail! That is what ballet meant to them then, a fashionable event to show off your best finery, like the Queen's coronation!
The most fashionable ballet in town would be by Marius Petipa, the most influential choreographer of his day, who is considered to be one of the founders of ballet as we know it! I wish I was there to twirl along to those wonderful stories brought to life by dancers! I’m thinking tutus were getting just a tad more glamorous then!
Tut-tu-too or Tutu? The Evolution of Our Beloved Skirt!
Back then, ballet costumes were a little different. It wouldn't be quite what we'd recognise as our signature tulle tutus today! There was a shift happening, you see. Back in the 1800s, ballerinas danced in a ‘tutu’ made from multiple layers of tightly pleated silk that, as it happened, was quite uncomfortable and cumbersome to move in. A bit like a bell-shaped skirt made of fabric. This might sound rather different to us, but that's what made ballet dancers so strong and beautiful - think graceful ballet movement mixed with some acrobatics to navigate that skirt!
However, the dance world was about to embrace a revolution in style and comfort. This evolution would see dancers dancing in something much more flowing, graceful and comfortable – imagine! By the late 1800s, those skirts became looser, using gauze and, importantly, tulle.
The Fashion Influence
Do you see how connected our love of ballet is with fashion? Fashion in the 19th century was as flamboyant as today, although we definitely wouldn't be caught dead in a corset or some of the other styles back then, right? It was so different then - with hoops and petticoats and lots of fabric! We definitely like to show more leg these days and it's the tutu which gives us the chance to!
Fashion is constantly evolving! In the 1800s, the Victorian fashion era was really gaining popularity. Think big hoop skirts and big shoulder pads, and that beautiful fashion sense of the 19th Century is part of what started this shift in what the dance world would look like and even how we danced. A change in dress had a big influence on ballet and vice versa! I bet it’s an exciting time to see ballet taking these big fashion steps – we owe the designers of this time a massive debt of gratitude.
But, wait! Back to Our Journey! What Was Happening On This Particular 24th November 1846?
Let’s return to our time trip to November 24th. It’s so tempting to step out of the train station, just to enjoy the city atmosphere of Paris on a beautiful November afternoon in 1846. As a true lover of tutus, it makes me smile to think about where our love for this garment came from. I'm starting to see how those earlier tutu designs paved the way for those gorgeous, floaty tutus of the late 1800s that gave ballet dancers the freedom to move so gracefully and allowed that fluidity and ease that we know and love to see!
I think today's journey proves one thing for sure: the tutu’s history is amazing, darling, and shows just how strong and important the connection between fashion, theatre and dance is. And I know we'll keep seeing more wonderful changes in this amazing and inspiring garment for generations to come! So, next time you twirl in your gorgeous pink tutu, you can imagine a time when it all started - an exciting time when the foundations of ballet history were laid, paving the way for the gorgeous tutu-tastic future!
Love and tutus!
Emma
P.S. Did you know that there are also fun tutus for your dogs? Go on, I dare you, why not get your pet poochie one in pink? Don’t worry, I’ve bought my darling dachshund, Buttons, a beautiful pink tutu for #TutuTuesday this week and it’s quite a delight! You'll find lots of options on my favorite pet wear shops – have a look!
