Bonjour, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your time-travelling, pink-tutu-loving guide to the world of ballet. I'm thrilled to welcome you back for this week's #TutuTuesday on my website, www.pink-tutu.com (a space for all things tutu-related, by the way!). Today we're diving into the past, to a time where tutus were just starting to take the world by storm - 1852-12-21!
Now, if you're picturing the elegant, romantic tutus of today, you'll have to put that image out of your head. It's a very different story in this historical snapshot. The tutu, my darling readers, was far more practical in its early days! Forget about layers upon layers of tulle. The ballet world was still in the romantic era, and that means it was all about soft flowing lines, graceful movements, and showing off beautiful shapes - you know, what else can you show off at the theatre other than what you have!
So what did they wear back then? Think about a shorter, almost knee-length skirt made from a lightweight, gathered material, usually cotton or muslin. And no, they didn't wear underwear! The Victorians believed this to be an unfashionable, uncomfortable, and completely unnecessary.
*(I'll tell you more about this *shocking fact about underwear another time, darlings!) **
Anyway, back to 1852. Let’s take a closer look at the fashion of the day - because what are we if not a fashion obsessed, history loving ballet lover! The December of 1852, I'm off to Paris to see my absolute favorite, Marie Taglioni. Marie Taglioni is an Italian dancer known as one of the greats of the romantic period of ballet and she is dancing at the Théatre de l'Opéra National de Paris. Her performance has the entire city talking! What was she wearing? Let’s imagine Marie wearing a dress which resembles what we see in this fashion illustration from the ‘Modes Parisiennes’.
(I’ve just found this in the latest French fashion magazine – you all know La Mode Illustrée. A great read and all in french, but my French is quite good actually - it does help me on my trips to Paris.)
Here's the deal, you will see that the fashionable ladies have beautiful wide skirts. It was all about being as big as you could, but remember there is a practical purpose to the fashion. This gives the woman an enormous volume so when she walks her sway would make it hard for her skirt to impede her movement, because they are often made with multiple layers. You just don't want to stand on your skirt!
Of course, the real reason to love the fashion from this period - is the crinoline. This invention would soon become a sensation! It is essentially a big underskirt. Made of hoop steel, wood, or cane. You could say the crinoline is an example of a very early tutus, with an oversized skirt effect that makes it an enormous silhouette. Imagine, you need two assistants just to hold you up.
And why, dear readers, does Marie (she doesn't have a second name as that wasn't necessary) choose not to have her dresses flowing down to the floor? We are so used to seeing dancers in long elegant evening gowns in our period plays now. The reason is all about movement, of course! But, at this point in history, long sweeping garments weren't practical for ballerinas - no matter how beautifully the shape appears.
Let's talk about colour. Fashionable Parisians have long since moved past black, or other dull hues and now the fashions are bursting with a kaleidoscope of colors like light greens and yellows – with lots of pinks and of course beautiful floral prints and fabrics which have an exotic oriental look. Marie is on the stage. How much more glamorous can this get, for all of our fashion inspiration and inspiration to wear more pinks!
Remember to tune into Pink-Tutu.com for this Tuesday, darling readers, because the world of ballet fashion was in for major changes, including the arrival of something truly sensational. And you are the first to find out! Until then, try you out one of the more voluminous skirts. Perhaps one that makes you slightly more challenging to get through doors, and think of what we can all learn from Marie Taglioni, if only for one afternoon. Have fun!
Emma The Pink-Tutu-Wearing, Ballet History Enthusiast
This blog post has focused on Marie Taglioni, the early history of tutus and the Fashionable of 1852, however, what else was going on? There are some things going on which everyone should know - including our readers on www.pink-tutu.com.
Did you know: In the other direction of the world New Zealand gets it first settlers – you can't imagine everyone going around wearing white tutus in New Zealand and going to Ballet Performances - which they didn't by the way. That said, if it was all possible, I can picture a performance where we have thousands wearing a variety of pink tutus – in their various forms, lengths, shapes and sizes in the sunshine.
Of course there is also plenty to read in 1852 about America's expanding railroads. With our new transportation it's a shame that everyone wasn’t rushing off to visit their loved ones – because if they had, then everyone in the United States, could be a wearing pink tutu too! I think the fashion of this period could stand to use some inspiration and maybe more pink!
Don’t forget every Tuesday – don’t miss my new Blog. My website: www.pink-tutu.com. The most wonderful blog on all things, pink, tutu and of course fashion history and more besides. Until next week!
