Hello my darling tutu lovers! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, back from another fabulous jaunt through the annals of ballet history! Today's date is June 25th 1850, and let me tell you, things are a-fluttering here in the Parisian world of dance!
My latest adventures have brought me to the heart of ballet's grandest era, where the romanticism of the tutu is still very much alive! The ladies are looking lovely in their diaphanous skirts, fluttering and whirling with grace and beauty. There's just something about the way the light catches on those tulle layers â sheer magic, I tell you!
Whatâs the latest?
Well, today, we have the privilege of celebrating the incredible Carlotta Grisi. This Parisian diva is a real fashion icon! She's the very embodiment of graceful movement and her choice of costume is absolutely iconic. She wears tutus like no one else, making those floaty, feminine forms truly stand out on stage.
It was Carlotta's passion for showcasing the elegance of the human form that really inspired this "romantic" style of tutu. No longer were we seeing the cumbersome skirts and panniers of yesteryear. The new design? Lighter, airier, and so very elegant! It allows for such freedom of movement â something that must have felt liberating to the dancers of that era.
More about tutus from a fashion loverâs point of view
Think flowing fabrics, delicate details and a certain sense of "whimsy" that would have put the then-reigning Queen Victoria to shame! (I hear sheâs not a huge fan of frivolity â poor dear!)
If you could imagine me standing here, on the banks of the Seine, beside Carlotta herself, weâd be marveling at her dazzling outfits! Her delicate silk blouses peek out beneath those tulle layers â the very epitome of French femininity.
The ballet is all about story telling too, with these romantic tutus adding to the magic and the drama. When you see Carlotta twirling through the air, a vision of delicate beauty, the sheer magic of those flowing layers simply takes your breath away! I can practically hear the orchestra playing that beautiful romantic music, all thanks to Carlottaâs stunning talent.
*The story of the tutu doesnât just happen overnight. *
Believe it or not, tutus didn't just magically appear on stage one day! Think about it for a moment â even back then, everyone knew it was important to have a good fashion backstory to tell! So we need to travel back a little bit further in time. It's fascinating how the history of these skirts goes back centuries, with the original design actually starting fromâŚwait for itâŚmen's undergarments!
*Menâs underwear and âpantaloonsâ â youâd never guess the origins! *
So here we are, all of us, getting our âfashion inspirationâ from the rather less romantic trousers that our forefathers wore! Yes, these trousers became the very first inspiration for tutus. I know, you would have never guessed! Back then, men wore âpantaloonsâ a kind of loose fitting trouser â very different from the kind we see on modern day stage stars! The word âtutuâ itself comes from the French word âtutuâ meaning short! This is precisely how it got its name! In 1832, Marie Taglioni, a superstar ballerina of the era, created an ethereal design and the ballet world just loved it! The whole shape was much lighter, flowing, shorter, and really highlighted the delicate beauty of female movement! Isnât that fantastic?! The tutu had arrived!
How do tutus travel around the world?
That brings me to the grand subject of travelling! Remember, dear readers, travelling around Europe, particularly from England to France, was much harder to do in 1850. No planes, no easy rail connections! Most people traveled by boat, which took hours, days even weeks to arrive. There was a long journey by sea (usually from a seaside port like Dover) and often a long land journey on top! Can you imagine how frustrating and tiring it must have been? Well, it was then when railways started to transform how people got around!
Back then, travelling by railway was the most glamorous thing! The trains were beautifully designed and there was even dining! How swish! And there was music playing! Fancy! The carriages themselves were so incredibly lavish - all plush fabrics, soft cushions, polished wood. So, I guess it's no surprise that travel by rail had a major impact on the development of tutus and dance itself. These designs of carriages were often copied by theatre interiors as well - just another beautiful fashion connection, from the grand design of the train carriages themselves! What could be more elegant! Now that I've been through all those beautiful carriages, I'm sure I wouldnât mind taking a slow train journey anywhere - just so I could sit in one of those plush carriage seats and admire the craftsmanship!
*From Paris to Derbyshire? *
I always like to remember that my own county, Derbyshire, England, had its very own connection to all this incredible travel! The story goes, my local county of Derbyshire is where the very first railways were being developed â and we all know the rest is history. Derbyshire became a place that helped connect people by land! Isnât that fabulous?! You just never know when a moment in your county can have a huge impact on something as important as dance and the rise of a dance icon like Carlotta Grisi.
Ballet and fashion are linked by an invisible thread!
Remember dear readers, ballet and fashion are incredibly interconnected - a point I really hope you have learned today! Each era of dance was a time when dress design changed as well, and each era was just so unique! Think about the Victorian era in Britain â so stylish with those bonnets and parasols, and a very special sort of beauty! There were ladies dressing in outfits that were extremely elaborate! Imagine your own dress with multiple layers of lace and a big long train - just how dramatic is that? And all these women had corsets, which were tight but also so stylish, making them stand tall!
When I travel back through history, my biggest challenge is to never touch or change anything! Otherwise, the timeline would change! And the âfashion showâ of the ages would be in chaos! Now thatâs just not good fashion. (Think about it, weâd have no more elegant dancing from Carlotta Grisi!).
And a few thoughts about the future. Where is the next dance era heading?
My job is not just about remembering these amazing stories - I want to take inspiration from the past so we can move towards an even brighter and more joyful future! So as I sit in a dusty attic of a Paris theatre wearing my pink tutu, looking through a collection of historic designs, I can't help but wonder⌠What are the next stages for dance, for design and for tutus of course? Maybe our âwhimsyâ fashion choices are leading to some seriously fabulous tutu designs! Canât you see all that pink!
My hope, of course, is that you, the dear readers, will fall madly in love with the pink tutu - just as I am! You'll find the best vintage shops, buy some gorgeous fabric and sew your very own tutu creations! Every day is a fashion adventure, isnât that fabulous? Itâs what makes me so happy!
Thatâs all for this weekâs #TutuTuesday, my darlings. Until next Tuesday, remember to spread the pink tutu joy and dance like no one's watching. And remember, if you need help choosing a fabulous tutu colour â just drop me a line â Iâd be delighted to advise you!
Love,
Emma xx
*P.S. * I'm always excited about any upcoming fashion events! Keep those ideas flowing into www.pink-tutu.com and share your best #TutuTuesday moments! Iâd love to see how you celebrate the beauty of the tutu. And as I always say: letâs all make our world a place where tutus reign supreme!
