Hello, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling historian extraordinaire! It's Tutu Tuesday, which means we're delving into the captivating history of this glorious garment - the tutu.
Today, we're taking a whimsical trip back to the glorious year 1854. Imagine a time when London was the epicentre of fashion and ballet ruled the hearts (and minds) of the social scene. Picture it, dears, cobbled streets teeming with dapper gentlemen and ladies in their finest finery. And in the heart of this vibrant tableau, we find the iconic ballet tutu starting its captivating ascent to stardom!
My trusty time machine landed me smack-bang in the middle of a bustling Covent Garden, the very soul of theatrical excitement. The air was buzzing with anticipation for a performance of "La Fille mal gardée" - which translates to "The Wayward Daughter" and a story every bit as delightful as the tutu worn by the leading lady. I managed to slip into a hidden, candlelit box and from my prime spot witnessed a stunning display of artistry that made my heart skip a beat.
The leading ballerina, the exquisitely talented Fanny Cerrito, captivated the audience with her breathtaking movements. She danced with the grace of a butterfly and the precision of a seasoned pro. But, darling, it was the sheer artistry of the tutu itself that left me spellbound! It was a riot of soft white, layered with delicate netting that floated around her as she twirled with an almost magical charm.
But wait, dears! In the late 1850s, the 'bell-shaped' tutu - you know the one with the rounded layers like an inverted bell - it wasn't actually all that popular yet. It was much later that these magnificent beauties took centre stage! Back in 1854, we were blessed with the short and airy tutu, like a swirling cloud of tulle around the dancers' legs, showcasing their elegant leaps and breathtaking grace.
It wasn't a 'perfect' world for ballerinas, my dears. Corsets, tightly-laced undergarments, were considered necessary evils, constricting the movements that brought freedom to the stage! And you know what else, I think it was precisely this uncomfortable and constraining dress that actually inspired a breakthrough. It motivated choreographers like Marius Petipa to focus on movement and the need to create costumes that moved freely with the dancer's every step, ushering in the graceful lightness of tutus we love today!
I couldn't resist, dear friends. The allure of this Parisian adventure called to me, so off I sped, whisked away on a grand, opulent train, travelling towards the bustling heart of Parisian society, to take in the fashion extravaganza that was the 1854 World's Fair.
Oh, dears, the world's Fair! A glorious amalgamation of innovation, ingenuity and art. It was the perfect opportunity to witness how fashion itself was in flux. From my private balcony overlooking the throngs, I spied some beautiful new inventions and revolutionary new technologies, like the sewing machine - just think of what this could do for our tutu creations, dears!
And there it was - a glimmering, majestic display of the first real ready-to-wear dresses. It was like a whirlwind of excitement, my darlings! Fashion houses were using these machines to produce clothing that empowered women, providing them with elegant, affordable garments. It was the start of a new age - a world of accessibility in the realm of beauty and fashion, which would, I suspect, lead to more exciting options for the dancers themselves!
You know, dears, one can only wonder - what did these magnificent dancers wear before the advent of the tutu? Well, the ballet world used to be much more restricted, much like their skirts. Before 1830, they wore what was called the "Robe de la danse" a heavier dress, much like what you would imagine for court dancers! This meant restricting movement, lots of layers of stiff silk and even a hint of what we today would call a "burlesque" feel, but a lot less dramatic, darlings!
There was the elegant 'leg-of-mutton' skirt, oh dears, what a shape! A truly wonderful name for an intriguing, and, sadly, impractical shape, even if it looked fab on stage! They didn't have much movement room with these, dears! Can you imagine how hard it must have been to dance in something like that? And as for colour choices, forget about vibrant shades! Think deep burgundy, maroon and some, well, dare I say, dreary navy blue.
Fortunately, the evolution of the tutu happened because of visionary people who embraced progress. Dancers wanted to show their talents, and they needed to do so in something that was more suited to their extraordinary movements! In essence, we owe it to Marie Taglioni, that enchanting Italian dancer, for really breaking free from that restricting skirt, to truly capture the freedom and artistry of movement. With a simple, beautiful costume, she transformed ballet and sparked a revolution of elegance! It was this bold move that ultimately transformed the dancer, not just on stage but also in the hearts of those watching!
Isn't it magical, darlings, to think about how fashion can reflect history itself?
That’s it for Tutu Tuesday this week, my lovelies! But, before I jet off to another historical ballet rendezvous, be sure to check out my latest blog post on www.pink-tutu.com - and don't forget to share your love for tutus by using #TutuTuesday.
Until next time, wear your tutus proudly and always remember: The world is a more beautiful place with a dash of pink and a swirl of tulle. Happy dancing, everyone!
Love,
Emma
