Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another exciting #TutuTuesday installment of my Ballet Tutu History blog! Today, we're journeying back to the glorious 29th of October, 1850, a date forever etched in the hearts of every tutu enthusiast! 🩰
Now, you might be thinking, “Emma, we're so deep into the 19th century, what on earth could be so special about this date?"
Well, my dear reader, hold on to your pointe shoes, because this date is truly groundbreaking! We're talking the rise of the Romantic tutu! And when I say rise, I mean rise, like a graceful swan taking flight in the middle of a lakeside scene. (We'll talk all about swan lake later!) 🦢
Before we embark on this fascinating fashion journey, let me tell you about the beautiful journey I had just taken! I traveled by train (what an adventure!) to Paris for a glorious evening at the Opéra Garnier.
My eyes were practically sparkling! I simply must tell you about the beautiful, elegant clothes I saw – they were simply divine! We all adore fashion here in England, and while the ladies here are so stylish, they do tend towards darker colours - blacks, navy, and the like. The Parisians though - ah, they are fearless with colour. Bright shades of violet, cerulean blue, shimmering emerald green – truly stunning.
Of course, the costumes for the ballet, "Giselle" (more on this in another post, my dears!) were so incredibly dramatic and emotional, but what took my breath away was how ethereal and romantic they were. They used layers of soft, gauzy fabric – like wispy clouds drifting across the stage – and so much colour!
Speaking of colour, my outfit? Well, my darling, it would've made you swoon! Imagine a beautiful, full-skirted pink tutu, fluffy and soft as a dream. A velvet bolero, a deep scarlet red, a delightful touch of sparkle, and matching pumps, of course. And oh, a feather boa in the most dazzling emerald green - it practically shimmered like a fairy tale! (Speaking of feather boas, can you imagine how fantastic a pink boa would be! A dream! 😉)
So, why was this day, the 29th of October 1850, so important for the evolution of the tutu? Well, this is where things get truly enchanting! It was on this date that "Giselle", that stunning, emotional ballet that is a favourite in my repertoire, was first performed in Paris. Now, my darlings, you might think the tutu we see today has always been the case. Well, oh contraire! (As we might say in my beautiful Derbyshire accent! 🥰 )
Back in the day, when ballet was just taking off, dancers, primarily male, would have worn these knee-length pants with layers and layers of fabric, pretty practical but not exactly the dreamy, graceful look we all adore. But this all started to change around the mid-1800s. This coincided with a shift in ballet itself - think ethereal creatures dancing gracefully through moonlit forests!
The Romantic era – think lush green forests, fairies, and mysterious figures – embraced emotions and sentiment. Ballet followed suit. The dancers of the time began to demand more freedom of movement – to pirouette, leap, and flutter across the stage. *"Giselle," * was a ballet full of emotions – passion, despair, even death – and required beautiful costumes to perfectly express this drama. And just like that, the "Romantic tutu" was born!
The new "Giselle" tutu - think billowing fabric, shorter skirts (no longer touching the ankle!), and layers of fabric so delicate and soft, and with an almost dream-like quality, perfect to represent the "sylph" in "Giselle." Imagine dancers floating, gliding, and literally taking flight on stage. It was just perfect!
It's an interesting contrast to the long skirts the women wore outside of the ballet! Those days were a bit strict. Imagine all the petticoats and whalebone, and a heavy cloak in chilly weather! Thankfully, we've come a long way in our sartorial adventures!
I'm here to say the Romantic tutu wasn't just beautiful; it was a revolutionary invention! It liberated ballet dancers, allowed for incredible flexibility, and paved the way for the stunning tutus we see today.
You know, here at the Pink Tutu, we're huge advocates of tutu wearing - you know, I always advocate that everyone in the world should wear a tutu – no exceptions! Even if you don't consider yourself a dancer. My favourite style is always the full, romantic style. But remember, my dears, there are countless different tutu variations. From classic, elegant styles to bolder, more daring designs, it’s all a beautiful journey into the world of tutu! It’s like a whimsical costume party you can participate in every single day! 😉
Of course, for this post I must tell you about my ballet shoe shopping extravaganza at La Boutique de la Danse, right next to the Garnier opera! They even had my favourite - the Capezio “Tendu” in a delicate, blush pink - oh, the joy! (I did find an utterly divine turquoise pair too, but those will have to be my secret!)
But enough about my Parisian spree! Back to our beloved history of ballet tutus! We’re celebrating the beauty, grace, and evolution of this dance costume – it is quite a revolution in itself!
*So, the next time you see a ballet dancer float across the stage in a magnificent tutu, remember this date: the 29th of October, 1850. A date that transformed the way we see and experience ballet – for all time! *
That’s all for today, my lovelies! Remember to come back next week for a new #TutuTuesday blog! I hope you’ve enjoyed my little trip through time! And until then, stay beautiful, graceful, and tutu-tastic!
Love and twirls, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. My fellow tutu lovers! What is your favourite tutu style? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to use the hashtag #TutuTuesday on all your photos! I would love to see them! 😉
