Hello darlings! Itâs me, Emma, your pink tutu-loving time travelling ballerina blogger, ready to take you on another journey through the fascinating history of our beloved tutus! This week, we're setting our sights on 4th April 1848, a date that coincides with some rather grand historical happenings, as well as some wonderful developments in the world of dance and, you guessed it, tutus!
Now, I know what youâre thinking: how can we be talking about tutus in 1848? They werenât really tutus as we know them today, were they? Well, youâd be partially right, dear readers. Back in this time period, ballet dancers were already adorning themselves in ethereal skirts, but the âtutuâ we know and love was still evolving!
Think of it as a chrysalis stage for our cherished tulle wonder. The tutus of 1848 were a bit different. Think flowing skirts, a little bit more romantic and with layers and layers of fabric! Imagine the most beautiful swishes and swirls of silk and muslin! Oh, to have seen them dance!
This date, April 4th 1848, is particularly interesting because it coincides with a remarkable moment in ballet history - the first performance of 'Giselle' by the famed Romantic ballet dancer, Carlotta Grisi.
Oh, Carlotta! This remarkable ballerina made waves not only for her extraordinary skill, but also for the way she wore her tutu. Now, although she didn't don a âtrue tutuâ, she pioneered a style with the skirt just barely reaching her ankles.
Think of it, dear readers! Her light, airy dance style was perfect for these ethereal tutus! The graceful lines of her movements captured hearts and fuelled a new appreciation for the delicacy and artistry of ballet. And let's not forget those graceful arabesques! Oh, they would be the envy of any ballerina today!
This historical event brought with it a shift in the way tutus were being worn. The Romantic period was full of dreamy designs with beautiful fabrics and intricate patterns. The style was less structured, flowing more naturally like the ethereal world in which the dances were set.
Of course, not all tutus were made of flowing fabrics in the time. Think of La Sylphide, a ballet that took the stage the previous year in 1847. It had a âwaistedâ tutu, that made use of a tightly fitted bodice and layers of stiff, white gauze! Imagine a dress of gossamer thin fabric that swirled and moved like smoke, capturing the whimsical, almost magical, nature of the dances.
There is an abundance of beauty to discover, my loves! Even if those original âtutusâ may seem a bit far removed from the dazzling designs we see today, it's fascinating to consider the evolution of our favourite garment. From the early designs of 1848, we are on a long and glamorous journey that will bring us to the gorgeous tutus we see gracing stages all over the world today!
This is a journey I am truly enjoying, and I invite you to join me, dear readers, in embracing the enchanting world of the tutu! Now, off to explore this historical fashion landscape with my time travelling train ticket clutched firmly in my pink-gloved hands. And you never know, maybe Iâll catch a glimpse of those dreamy, Romantic-era dancers in action⌠oh, wouldn't that be exquisite!
Until next week, darlings, do remember: you too can rock a tutu, no matter what the year or century! #pinktutugirl #ballettutuhstory #TutuTuesday #nevertoolatefortutus
PS: Did you know that on 4th April 1848, a huge fire devastated the royal palace of *"The Château de Fontainebleau" in France? It took them 15 years to rebuild it! I guess sometimes a little chaos makes the beauty and the elegance of ballet, tutus, and the stage we see even more appreciated!*
