Hello darling tutu lovers! Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday instalment of your favourite Ballet Tutu History blog. Today is the 7th of June 1853, and oh darling, you wouldn't believe where I've been!
I woke up in the glorious city of Paris, the air fragrant with freshly baked croissants and the patter of tiny horse-drawn carriages dashing down the cobblestone streets. Now, Paris has always been the heart of fashion, but back in 1853 it felt absolutely alive! Think of all those beautiful gowns with crinoline, puffed sleeves, and stunningly intricate bonnets! The shops were bursting with colour and there were people everywhere â dapper gentlemen in top hats and frock coats, ladies in elegant gowns, and oh so many children running around giggling!
But today, my darling tutu enthusiasts, I'm going to whisk you off to a special event that happened at the ThÊâtre du Châtelet, the biggest theatre in all of Paris! It was a truly exciting event for any tutu enthusiast. A grand evening ballet was taking place â and with my timing, you'd never guess, but it was the première of a piece called The Little Faun. And who was the lead? You've guessed it! That darling Carlotta Grisi.
I mean, this is Carlotta Grisi we're talking about. The first ballerina ever to perform en pointe! A revolutionary act back in 1836. She was a huge reason the ballet world began taking a particular interest in the tutu - because she really loved a tutu!
She was considered the very epitome of feminine grace, elegance, and style, and everyone wanted to see her on stage, twirling in her pretty little ballet costumes! Imagine - a full length skirt worn back then could have been five or even seven layers thick â and here was she taking the stage in a single layer, sometimes just one, or at most, two. You can imagine the scandal, my dears. But oh, she was fabulous! I even had a go with her during rehearsals, darling, though I mustnât disclose the exact moves... It was certainly much harder to execute en pointe than Ă la seconde. She had some very particular methods.
So, Whatâs a Tutu Exactly?
Now, darling, some of you might ask, what exactly is this tutu, which I, well, I tend to write about a little⌠more than is absolutely necessary, perhaps. But you can never have too many tutus! (There I go, it just slipped outâŚagain. SIGH)
Letâs clear something up. The tutu â or to give it itâs full name - the tulle â is the ne plus ultra of ballet costumes! It's a dream, my dear friends, it is! That wonderful and intricate swirl of tulle that moves so elegantly when the ballerina is spinning. That feeling â the fabric swirling round and round and catching the light! Divine!
So you see, the story of the tutu is interwoven with the story of ballet itself. We cannot talk about ballet without mentioning the tutu. And to tell you the truth, even the earliest dancewear would be considered the earliest form of the tutu â simple skirts tied to the waist with cords or a rope. Theyâve become more intricate and fashion-forward through the years.
A Trip Back in Time
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, 1853! That little tulle is definitely going to have its role to play in the story of the development of the ballet costume. Think of the romantic tutu, or what they called the âromantic skirtâ, all those lovely long flowing skirts that would billow around their ankles! I think of dancers as little fairy folk â graceful, light as a feather and flitting across the stage! Just heavenly!
Carlotta Grisi was part of a larger, growing trend that became increasingly prominent towards the mid-1800s - ballet dancers began performing in more minimal clothing, which included shorter and shorter skirts that began resembling the tutus of today! And who was behind the change, you might ask? Why, Maria Taglioni. That is one incredible ballet star to keep your eyes on, and we will, darling, very soon.
The more I look around, darling, the more I realize it is really the late 19th century and early 20th century when tutus came into their own â the ballerina tutu was literally on a trajectory to become as icon as it is today. And just think â imagine what the costume of a ballerina would have looked like without that special skirt! Can you even picture that, dear ones?. * shudder * ... We can't! The tutu really was the beginning of ballet costumes!
As you probably already know, darling, the modern tutu is often made of several layers of tulle that are attached to a short waist belt (the waist sash, or what the French call the ceinture). This construction enables the tutu to float beautifully. A really good quality tulle, by the way, is very soft and drapes beautifully â this is what makes a real professional tutu. This has become the defining and icon costume of ballerinas around the globe. *And don't we just love them! *
*The *Tutu â an Important History Lesson in itself! **
The tutu is part of the culture and history of the whole world. Itâs even appeared in the worlds of fashion â we're all obsessed with them! This magical little bit of fabric - it has influenced high fashion design, we have seen it on fashion runways all over the globe, even that lovely Dior one. (Can we make a pink Dior tutu happen? That is a little vision in pink... divine! I have so many ideas...!) But it wasnât just ballet - tutus have taken us around the world of fashion, from dancewear to high street clothing, my dears â who would have ever guessed how such a tiny article of clothing could take off in the world? But what makes them so lovely is that they represent grace and femininity â qualities I want to embody and spread into the entire world!
So, darling, hereâs the key â next time you see a tutu you should think, âWhat a beautiful thing. So pretty!â * And you know what *I want you to do? Why, you have to think about it this way, Whatâs that magic tulle doing for us â is it lifting up our world?â Yes darling. That tutu, with all it's lovely frills and little delicate layers⌠that is an important thing for the whole world.
Well darling, time to travel onward. The only thing better than a tutu is a pink tutu! Until next time, take care and donât forget to make sure you put your tutu on every chance you get, whether at home, in your garden, on your way to the theatre, or even down the street or on your way to pick up those delightful baguettes and pastries from your local boulangerie.
With love,
Emma
P.S. Be sure to join us next Tuesday for the latest #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History - #1120 at www.pink-tutu.com !
