Hello, darling dancers! Emma here, your ever-so-pink, ever-so-tutu-obsessed, time-travelling blogger, back for another Tuesday tête-à-tête all about the history of our beloved tutus.
Today, we're jetting back to the 19th century, specifically to the 2nd of May, 1848, a day that still ripples through history, if you catch my drift! Now, while revolutions and uprisings may have been swirling across Europe, our focus, as ever, is on the swirling skirts and glorious gowns of the ballet world.
Imagine the scene: Paris, the City of Lights, pulsating with the very latest in fashion and art. As you step into the Opera Garnier (it's not yet fully built, but its grandeur is already known!) for a performance, what do you see? *The *tutu, ladies and gentlemen! **
*Tutu? Where did the "tutu" name even come from? * Well, rumour has it the term originated in France - quite apt for the ballet’s birthplace - around 1839, but its origin remains a little hazy. However, whether they were called "tutus" or not, by the 1840s, those adorable little skirts were already conquering the stages of Europe, captivating hearts with their fluffy grace and sheer elegance.
But now, let's backtrack a little. Before we land on the tutu's rise to stardom, think about the state of dance wear around the time of 1848. Women danced in long, elaborate skirts - imagine several layers of silk and satin, all held in place by corsetry that could have been rivalled only by the grandeur of a queen's gown. And the colours? A rainbow palette, bold and opulent, perfect for the grand spectacle of a Victorian opera ballet performance.
The 1840s saw a subtle shift in that grand old world, a hint of practicality beginning to grace the world of the ballet. These dancers were starting to be known as prima ballerinas, and their talent called for movement more agile and intricate than ever before. Now, the ballet scene embraced change - shorter skirts, lightweight fabrics and, lo and behold, the first hint of our beloved tutu!
But imagine! To the audiences of that day, this new dancewear was absolutely revolutionary! The change in skirts was a big shift, away from the heavy layers towards a design which celebrated their agility and skill. Suddenly, the dancer's legs became a central part of the visual artistry, showcased by the wispy fabrics swirling around them. It was a breathtaking evolution, darling dancers!
So, to fully understand this exciting new silhouette of 1848, you need to journey through history, but in my very favourite style: by train! Just picture it: a puffing steam engine pulling you through fields bathed in the golden hues of a Victorian dawn, taking you through a journey from old-school ballroom dresses to those gloriously fluffy, ever-so-chic tutus we love.
This is where our history gets juicy, my darlings! By the 1840s, Marie Taglioni, The Swan herself - yes, the very swan who perfected those ethereal movements! - had changed the face of ballet, forever.
Now, picture this: She danced in La Sylphide, wearing a tutu like nothing seen before, * its design based on the lightness of *gauze and chiffon, barely clinging to her figure. Imagine, a graceful silhouette with the focus not on grand robes, but on the effortless power of movement and her ballerina form. That is the revolutionary magic of Taglioni! She truly ignited the world's love affair with tutus!
That year of 1848 marked a big shift, but not just in fashion! It's where our tutus took centre stage in what would become a ballet world brimming with innovative choreographers and brilliant dancers. The tutu became a canvas for new ideas, a visual language expressing emotion, character, and of course, those graceful, breathtaking pirouettes we love.
On that note, dear readers, I must dash! I have a show to catch! Next week, I'll be venturing into a future full of tutus, a little closer to home, here in Derbyshire, to find the ballet magic hiding in the streets of our own city. I am off on a little journey for a "Ballet Street" exploration, with hopes of discovering my local ballerinas. I must share the love of the tutu everywhere, and see where else they lead me this time!
Until then, wear those tutus with pride, and remember: a pink tutu can take you anywhere!
Bisous, Emma
P.S: For more fashion history finds, check out my next post, coming soon! Until then, I'll be catching up on all the newest tutu-wearing news at www.pink-tutu.com I hope you will too, I have some lovely new pictures of the most recent ballerina performances! 💕
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #BalletTutu #PinkTutu #FashionHistory
