Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling, ballet-obsessed blogger. It’s a blustery Tuesday, and I’m absolutely buzzing with excitement for today's #TutuTuesday! Today, we’re taking a journey back in time, all the way to the 14th December, 1847, to discover the magical beginnings of the tutu!
This blog post is numero 833 on my ever-expanding journey through tutu history, and, just like the spinning twirls of a ballerina, this blog post will take you on a delightful dance through the history of the tutu. It’s time to put on your most comfortable pair of dance shoes, grab your favourite pink ribbon, and settle in for a fabulously fascinating ride!
The Year of The Romantic Ballet!
Let’s begin our journey in the vibrant, theatrical, and oh-so-fashion-forward capital of the world – Paris, of course!
On this date in 1847, the world of ballet was just entering a glittering golden age, known as the Romantic Era – think frills, drama, and swirling emotions all presented in the most breathtaking, ethereal style!
You know those long, flowing, soft tutus that are just begging to be twirled? It all started in this Romantic Era! I know, it sounds almost unbelievable!
For the last 150 years, dancers were bound in heavy, thick fabrics, layered on top of one another like the decadent skirts of the period. Then, BANG! Everything changed, forever!
In 1839, the celebrated dancer Marie Taglioni (who I hear was positively iconic with her sparkling personality and mesmerising technique, almost as dazzling as my favourite ballet shoes) decided to have a go at streamlining her look!
She decided that less was indeed more and asked the famous fashion designer, Jean-Baptiste Reichel, to craft her a new stage outfit. She needed something light, flowing, and ethereal, just like the stories told through the ballet performances. She had her own distinct personal fashion style and taste in beautiful and elegant dresses and wanted to break away from the restrictive garments of the time.
You won’t be surprised to hear that she totally revolutionised the look of a dancer with a tutu! (And remember, tutus are never truly out of fashion.) She created a new type of costume – short, and so light and airy that it created the illusion of dancers floating across the stage!
Reichel gave Marie a simple, yet spectacular design, made of fine tulle and lightweight fabrics, like the softest of petals on a beautiful flower!
The short and lightweight tutu – also referred to as "Romantic Tutus," or "The Italian Dress," was met with applause, not only for their beauty, but also for the way they revolutionised the way women moved!
They created an unparalleled flow, showing the elegance of female dancers like never before. I bet even my ancestors from my little village of Dronfield in Derbyshire, would be amazed by the beauty and grace they had on display!
The beautiful thing about this new "look" was that it became quickly popular and embraced not only in Paris but across the continent, especially across the English Channel in the grand city of London. It brought to life the incredible Romantic spirit of the time with an undeniable elegance and glamour! You’ll find them everywhere - the Opera, the theatres, all around the grand halls of society!
The Art of Fashion – Backstage and Out!
Do you want to hear something incredibly interesting? Even though ballet had entered a completely different phase with a new kind of attire – this change also triggered another important moment in the fashion world. It all goes to show that fashion and ballet really are the perfect companions, wouldn’t you say?
Think of it!
Just imagine all the fashion houses at that time getting creative with their new and improved designs and what it means for a world where every lady can dress with the glamour of a prima ballerina! The Romantic Period truly saw a flourishing of the most intricate fashion, influenced by those beautiful, airy, twirling, dancing tutus!
Think romantic prints, flowing silk dresses, with intricate ruffles and exquisite embroidery – just imagine a ballerina floating on stage with such finesse and grace. You just have to give the ladies in those dresses a huge applause, they were trailblazers, ahead of their time!
I’d imagine some beautiful fabrics like a silk satin in shades of delicate blues and pastel pink. Just like what I imagine those first, graceful tutus looked like! The whole mood would be about light fabrics and exquisite materials like soft cashmere or velvet – giving the dancer an ethereal, dream-like presence that really captured the imagination of those lucky enough to see them. I can already hear the whispers of admiration!
Oh my! I can picture all the beautiful dresses and gowns made from fine satin and intricate fabrics – all crafted to embody the elegant beauty and grace of the ballerina and the artistic freedom she held on the stage! Imagine, every woman wanting a touch of that effortless magic in their wardrobe! The elegance of this fashion trend continues even today. Just picture your grandmother with a full skirt and delicate lace on her sleeves. The modern world is built upon these old and enchanting fashions! It really brings all of these beautiful traditions to life, doesn’t it!
Now that you're seeing the world of tutus in 1847 from a completely different angle – think of it as a whole new performance! We have more to discuss about this spectacular historical period and it all goes to show just how much has changed throughout the ages. I have some thoughts on what my favorite Romantic era designs are.
It's Time To Go Back to the Past!
To finish this blog, I wanted to highlight a particular performance. On December 14th, 1847, a production called "Giselle" was performed in Paris and it totally embodies this Romantic period with every nuance and delicate, feminine touch. It really helps to understand that tutu trend we talked about, in all its fabulousness!
This story takes us to the magical countryside with a haunting tale of betrayal and love, where Giselle, the enchanting and captivating heroine, falls in love with a disguised prince called Albrecht, who is unfortunately already promised to another. The plot revolves around Giselle’s romantic heartache – that all makes sense, right!
Imagine a performance bursting with a passionate storyline and magnificent choreography! It features amazing dancers like Giselle herself – her incredible performance just screams "Romantic ballet" at every turn. This captivating storyline features so much movement that we must go back and understand its historical roots. We need to have that kind of creative thinking to understand where our own style is coming from – you know, those pink ballet shoes I adore wearing around town, every day! It’s an important step towards appreciation!
In addition to that fabulous storyline, think of all the incredible costume designs in Giselle! Imagine a sea of fluttering tutus – just the visual image I need to give me that extra oomph during my daily exercise regime! Imagine those stunning tutus– all hand crafted, every detail reflecting a real masterpiece! The magic of the romantic era in each and every stitch – just amazing!
That beautiful design – it creates an air of sophistication that reflects this fantastic age. So, it all comes back to what a big deal the invention of this fabulous look really is!
This romantic look had everyone dancing - literally - all through the 19th century and beyond, just like the incredible Swan Lake story that stole the show for everyone. I really encourage everyone to see the captivating costumes for themselves at a grand performance at a real ballet theater!
That’s it for this Tutu Tuesday! It was such fun looking at what the world of ballet was all about – you have to tell me about it. I have loads to show you! Come back again next week for another tutu journey through time, you know I’m always eager to show you all about how history and tutus have something unique and special for everyone, even those lovely folk in Dronfield! You’ll want to wear that bright pink tutu after seeing this! I might have even been inspired to take on a new costume for a special project for the year, just wait and see!
Stay beautiful, stay elegant, and of course, stay sparkly.
Yours always, Emma
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1847 #RomanticEra
