Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! 🎀 It's Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, and this Tuesday I'm whisking us back to the shimmering world of ballet in 1848. As you know, I love tracing the origins of our beloved tutus, so today we're venturing into a time when things were starting to change, a time when a new kind of dance was blooming across Europe!
This particular Tuesday, July the 4th, was a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. Imagine: I'm skipping around the cobblestone streets of Paris, soaking up the lively Parisian air and, of course, eyeing every lovely boutique with hopes of discovering a new pink ribbon for my tutu. But hold on a second, there’s something rather unsettling in the air…
This 4th of July wasn't just another day in the history books. No, it was the day France decided to make a dramatic shift! While the ballet world was celebrating the beautiful and dramatic skills of Carlotta Grisi – oh, did I tell you I saw her perform "Giselle" last week? Truly ethereal – political changes were happening on the streets of Paris. Can you believe it? It's not something we usually associate with ballet!
But let's focus on the fabulous fashion, because there’s always a silver lining, isn’t there? While 1848 might have felt turbulent in the larger world, for the ballet world, it was a time of elegance and innovation. I had the chance to watch Marie Taglioni perform “La Sylphide”. Can you imagine? To see those soft, delicate tutus fluttering around her like whispers of silk. They've moved on from the much-longer tutus that were popular a few years back, and it's such a delightful evolution. I think it makes the whole dance even more ethereal.
These were times of romanticism in dance. There was this delicate beauty and emotion, and of course, graceful movements that mesmerized audiences! You couldn't really wear the extravagant dresses, and hoops, and corsets and all the frippery that society insisted on wearing back then. That would get in the way! Imagine trying to do a pirouette in one of those massive dresses! The dancers needed something airy, something flowing, and what's more airy and flowing than a lovely, layered tutu? And it was so feminine, don't you think? It became the quintessential expression of ballet's femininity!
You wouldn't believe the excitement surrounding these performances! They were the social event of the season. The Parisian ladies flocked to the opera houses, draped in their best gowns, clutching their opera glasses and admiring all the latest fashion trends. While these dresses and their massive skirts might seem like a hindrance now, they still represent this romantic and stylish flair, that elegant spirit, and it perfectly mirrored the graceful ballet style! There's nothing more inspiring than the energy of the crowd on a night when ballet stars are about to take the stage! It truly ignites a spark within.
This is why, every Tuesday, I hop in my time machine (fueled by ballet magic and my love of pink!) to tell you all about the captivating history of the ballet tutu. You might think that every time period is just the same when it comes to ballet and tutus. Oh no, my dear! There’s been incredible innovation throughout the years. We have this gorgeous style today thanks to those wonderful dancers, those innovative choreographers and fashion designers, those trailblazing figures who took those first brave steps to create the tutus we know and love!
As always, I invite you to leave a comment on our www.pink-tutu.com blog. What are your favourite types of ballet? Do you love romantic ballet? Let's keep this conversation about our lovely ballet tutus going!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a grand jeté appointment at a delightful ballet show tonight, and it’s quite a fashionable affair, you know! The costumes are positively lovely! I do love it when everyone dresses up and wears their very best, but of course, I always insist on wearing my pink tutu! The only difference between these elegant gowns and my own personal style? The tutu! But you knew that, right?
Happy Tutu Tuesday, and remember: If it’s pink and fluffy, you can always find me there!
Your Time-Travelling Tutu Enthusiast, Emma 🩰💖✨P.S.: I'm absolutely going to write more about those elegant and dramatic ballet costumes from this era next week. What's your favorite ballet era? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to join us for a grand #TutuTuesday dance party next week!
