Bonjour mes chéries! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and welcome back to another exciting #TutuTuesday post from the depths of my ever-expanding Ballet Tutu History blog. I'm writing this one with a flurry of excitement, from a cozy Parisian cafe, with a steaming pot of chai latte and a pile of fresh croissants (so delicious!).
Today we're taking a leap back in time, back to September 24th, 1850. Hold onto your tiaras, ladies, this is where things really get exciting! And I am bursting at the seams with all the history I've discovered, just for you!
A Fashion Revolution, Just Like That
Now, you lovely ladies already know that tutus are more than just a garment, they're a statement! They are, and I do mean ARE, an ode to female empowerment. 1850 was a very important year for the tutu. It's a date I keep close to my heart. Why, you ask? Because on this very day, the tutu - or shall I say the tutu as we know it - was born! And it happened, as all amazing things do, in Paris, the city of fashion, of romance, and of, well, everything glamorous. Think cobbled streets lined with cafes and charming boulangeries, a smattering of the finest ladies sporting the latest trends - you're starting to get the picture.
The Big Change
Before 1850, dancers in ballet performances were clad in full-length skirts - picture long and flouncy with tiers and layers of fabric, kind of like a ballgown in motion. These were rather practical, but imagine trying to perform a 'Grand Jeté' with all that fabric, just impractical, don't you think? And we can thank the incredible Marius Petipa (who is he you ask? Oh my darling! He is the legend, the rockstar, the 'Papa' of all that's fabulous and glamorous in Ballet). Now, this visionary genius is credited for the arrival of the shorter, fitted tutu! It was the big breakthrough in dance wear, giving the female ballerina, such as myself, a brand-new, elegant way to move - freely and flawlessly. A true game changer!
The Tutu Takes Centre Stage
The iconic tulle that we associate with tutus made its first appearance in the romantic ballet "Giselle." That's the stuff of true magic! A story of betrayal, grief, and ethereal love that brought a whirlwind of new dance steps that had never been seen before. We see the grace, we see the elegance, we see the pure magic. And that is just Giselle. Think what it led to? Think what it spawned?! That's what, we call a revolution.
And then we come to Carlotta Grisi
Ah, darling, I'm sure she's looking down with a twinkling of her eyes on us now. Imagine: long limbs, a graceful air, she danced with such brilliance. She was the first ballerina to perform in the new, iconic, short-waisted tutu. The public were utterly mesmerized by it all.
And not only that. It is thought that the actual shape and length of the new tutu, was inspired by Carlotta’s waist and leg. What a lady. And what a stunning fashion moment that was for women everywhere, right?
The world of ballet was buzzing with the arrival of the revolutionary tutus that not only enhanced their athleticism but also brought a new level of artistry to their performance. Think light and airy, a hint of fairytale sprinkled in with just the right amount of wow. And that is a story worth dancing about.
Now for a bit of trivia: What were Parisian ladies wearing in 1850?
Hold onto your hats, girls, because it gets even more fun! If I have not bored you, we are diving straight into the fashion trends of 1850. Think: bustles and corsets, with flowing, slightly full-skirted dresses that just swish about. We're talking huge bonnets with velvet ribbons, long gloves (very Cinderella), and high-necked gowns adorned with intricate lacework - picture Victorian elegance on a catwalk in a London department store. Imagine my joy, you could wear an 1850 outfit and look like a proper 2023 lady with your ballet slippers in your hand, a bag of your favourite goodies on your arm. Fashion transcends the eras darling! We know the trends keep coming back. And when they do I'll be ready with all my notes for your fashion future. And maybe one day a brand new invention will change the fashion world again. Just like Carlotta did.
The Pink Tutu Journey Begins
Parisian society was alive with color, patterns, and a desire for beauty. And oh! The shades! From bright, luscious blues to rich emerald green, and the ultimate, the beautiful, the magnificent - pink! The color is a vision to behold - feminine, elegant and full of joy, perfect for a lady on the go and it's absolutely my favourite. And, ladies, it is about time we started celebrating it. It makes every day special. So I have set my self a mission. Everyone, (everyone!!) should have a pink tutu in their closet - I don’t care who you are. You’re welcome to it. We’re all ladies, we’re all empowered and every day can be a dance, in your tutu. A statement. Because as much as ballet and fashion influence each other, we can both inspire each other to go big! And let's be real, nothing beats the joy of swirling around in a pink tulle dream, feeling like a graceful princess or even better – a dazzling star!
I believe tutus deserve a moment on a world stage, not just in the theater, even on the most normal of Tuesday’s. Every single day should feel like we’re on a runway! The way you walk and how you move with your lovely tutus is as important to us as the art of ballet!
Next Week
As usual my darling girls, I'm ready for my next #TutuTuesday adventure. It will take us all the way to 1851. Just wait until you hear what amazing things await in my time travel travel journal.
You can check in every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com And for more pink-tutu loveliness, and let’s start the tutu-wearing revolution.
Bisous mes amies!
Emma