Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, back again for another exciting journey through the history of ballet's most glorious garment â the tutu! This week we're heading back to the Victorian Era, a time of gaslight and bustle skirts. Today's date is the 27th of May, 1851. Now, I can already hear you wondering, "But Emma, tutus were barely a thing back then! What's there to say?" Oh, my dears, hold onto your tiaras, for you are in for a delightful surprise!
The 1850s marked a transition period for the tutu. Think of it as the Edwardian era, but with a lot more boning and whalebone. Gone were the billowing romantic tutus, a little like the ball gowns worn in the first ever televised ballet "Giselle", back in 1956! (A lovely time, wouldn't you say?)
Back in our time machine, let's step into 1851... and picture this. You are at a ballet in the grandest of London theatres. Gaslight flickers across the stage, and the air hums with anticipation. The orchestra tunes its instruments. As the curtain rises, what do you see? The ladies on stage are adorned in tutu-ish creations, a symphony of white, white, and more white. But not the kind we are used to today.
The tutu-ish garment they wear is more like a full, gathered skirt, flowing down to their knees, or perhaps a bit lower. These skirts were built upon layers of tulle and fabric, just like the iconic ballerina dresses, but their volume was often grander.
These designs, my dear readers, were very much influenced by the style of the time. Victorian ladies wore large, wide dresses with intricate detailing and an emphasis on corsetry and elaborate adornments. The ballerina dresses, or "tutus", reflected this Victorian grandeur. They are, however, not quite a full tutu. Imagine, dear readers, a combination of a bell-shaped dress with frills at the bottom, worn under an ultra-dramatic hoop skirt, or perhaps, the "crinolines", as they called it back then. You can see some sketches of what we are discussing online, which you will probably recognise and tell me "Yes! I think that was inspired by ballet"! This was all part of the romantic era of the time, with dancers swaying like ethereal swans on the grand stage. The era of Tchaikovsky had not yet arrived.
In the 1850s, the "tutu-ish" designs were still evolving and finding their perfect shape. These designs, in my opinion, were less glamorous than the classic tutus that became popular in later times, the crinoline, the tutu, or the roman skirt. Perhaps, these styles would not make the catwalk now! The ballet designers at the time favoured a long, billowy shape, highlighting the feminine grace of the ballerina, with skirts flowing down their legs as they glided across the stage. Think of it as the early years of the modern tutu, in all its delicate glory! It's certainly more graceful and much better than the panniers worn by ladies in the early days of theatre, imagine a skirt up to 18 inches deep! I cannot even imagine the sweat involved! I am convinced that if a lady fainted on stage due to the heat and effort involved with wearing a pannier in a play, this could explain the tradition that to bring on the fainting ladyâs spouse, you have to place a white handkerchief to their nostrils? Or am I off track again on my theories... sigh
Speaking of grace, darling, have you ever seen a ballet with a pannier? Now thereâs a topic for a future blog post, the origins of the crinoline, how the corset became popular and the ballet influences of the era on dress. A great example of fashion history! We should definitely do a #TutuTuesday about that, don't you think? Leave a comment below, if you want to go there... but you know what, we must come back to today's #TutuTuesday! I think you might have been getting distracted.
To me, this era was really about how the ballerinaâs garment, in my view the tutu, is like an expressive dance form in its own right, flowing, billowing, and evoking the romantic essence of the performance. We really need to be appreciative of the historical context, and not forget how beautiful this evolution was, even if not everyoneâs cup of tea! We still find examples of what this early tutu is like in many modern performances. They are truly inspiring!
Today, on this day of the 27th of May, in 1851, history tells us it was a busy day in London. It's said that one of the famous dancing figures of the Victorian era, Marie Taglioni, was giving a private performance. Sheâs the famous ballerina whose style and form were legendary! Do you know of the famous, âLa Sylphideâ? Now, imagine how these tutu-ish creations graced her stage, making every movement a graceful work of art. My goodness, you must picture the joy of dancing in her lovely costumes! Marieâs impact on fashion was substantial, she brought elegant dancing back into style! There she was with her tutu-ish gown and romantic moves! Just the thought of it makes me want to whip up my favourite Tchaikovsky waltz, on a trip down to Derbyshire with the train, to see how these tutu-ish designs would compare to a show that the ballet world can only imagine now... oh my! This gives me so many thoughts...
Now, back to our day, and 1851 London! To continue with the day's timeline, did you know, dear reader, the same day as this private performance was an unveiling of the Crystal Palace, the most magnificent architectural marvel, which you could say, resembled the grand Victorian Ball Gown design that has been an influence in so many modern fashion trends! This amazing Victorian exhibition became known throughout the world as âThe Great Exhibitionâ or sometimes the âExhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nationsâ ! Can you believe all that in one day! The very same day, Marie Taglioni danced! My mind is completely blown away, even just writing about this! It must have been amazing to see! Imagine! All of these events!
As a huge fashionista from the Derbyshire region of England, I absolutely love The Great Exhibition of 1851! For me, this era really signifies a golden era, or if youâd prefer a silver era for ballet design and stage costuming! It has become part of the design culture for the most part of history and, therefore, a favourite place for a time travel jaunt! You can certainly imagine how much I want to see this wonderful time in history and *experience it all first-hand! What better time to wear a pink tutu with a bustle in my hair. A huge hoop skirt on my dress, as well, wouldnât that look fantastic?
Until next week's #TutuTuesday, darlings! Do check back, as we have lots to talk about about tutus. Do write to us to suggest a historical day, an era, or a designer. Whatâs your favourite style of tutu, dear readers, let us know what your thoughts are below and tell us which day you want to time travel with me! Maybe next time, we can visit Marie Taglioni! Wouldnât that be wonderful?
I shall leave you now, to catch a ballet performance down in the local theatre... maybe the Royal Opera House? They put on wonderful performances at the Royal Opera House. A real favourite of mine, where one may buy lovely floral corsages too. I will catch you next week, dearest. Until then, stay fashionable!
XOXO, Emma
(PS. Do visit www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest news, information and exciting opportunities. A new blog is uploaded each week! Do feel free to join us on our online tutu community! Stay elegant!)
