Bonjour, darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, and welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! Today, we’re going to take a trip back in time, all the way to May 19th, 1857! Can you imagine a time before pointe shoes and tutus as we know them? Let’s dive into a world where ballerinas were just beginning to soar!
I’ve just disembarked the Orient Express after a fabulous trip to Paris. The sights were so lovely, from the boulevards to the magnificent theatres, and the clothes – divine! Oh, the frocks! Such flounces, lace, and panniers, not to mention those delectable hats with the most enormous feathers!
But for us ballet aficionados, there was only one place to be - at the Paris Opera. They are really pushing boundaries in ballet with the beautiful dancing and all the lovely costumes. Oh, and let’s not forget the theatre! It’s so opulent with gilded everything and such rich red velvet. It makes you feel like a princess in a storybook.
And talking about princesses, a big event happened just a few weeks ago. The Empress Eugénie had her wedding. Such a spectacle! Even I, with my love of tutus and extravagance, found myself a little speechless by all the extravagance! The sheer number of ladies in their elaborate dresses was astounding. Did you know she even had a golden carriage! Honestly, even the trains were adorned in lovely fabrics - and of course, everyone wanted to be seen. It’s a lesson in fashion we can all learn from, dear readers! Be a spectacle, be bold! Don't be afraid to make an impression.
But let’s talk tutus, my loves!
Now, I must confess, 1857, dear friends, is a little too early to see tutus as we know them. Those short, bouncy skirts that we can pirouette in and jump with glee were still taking shape! Think, instead, of much longer, fuller skirts, something more akin to what you’d find in a romantic waltz – layered, cascading fabric, creating the effect of a floating cloud. The skirts might even be ankle length. The early ballerinas were quite remarkable as they pirouetted and hopped in all that glorious volume! It must have taken incredible strength and agility. And I dare not imagine the amount of fabric used! Honestly, imagine what the dressmakers went through!
This time, though, we get a tiny hint of what is to come! The first "tutu" like shape came about due to dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa. Now Marius, he was the first to have dancers wear tight-fitting skirts and, gasp, wear a pair of silk undergarments to make the fabric stand out. Talk about daring! Imagine that! Imagine only two layers between your dancing legs and a grand audience. Not for the faint of heart! However, the full-on tutu wasn't yet to come. That's still waiting on the wings.
However, the ballerinas still knew how to look absolutely gorgeous! Remember, the 19th century was an era of the romantic! Think delicate colours, sheer fabrics and even silk ribbons! Can you imagine the costumes! Can you imagine twirling around a stage in them, swirling like the leaves in the wind! They would have used colours like pastels and peaches, just perfect for giving the impression of airy gracefulness. Honestly, it must have been such a captivating and breathtaking performance to see!
Back to 1857, where our tutu journey begins!
The Paris Opera is, of course, known for its long-standing ballet traditions. As you know, Tutu Tuesday has to honour the very places where our tutus have taken flight! The opera house in Paris was still under its grand and iconic roof! Imagine what it would be like to perform under the watchful eyes of angels. What an honor it would have been! The ballet school that sits above the Parisian opera, was of course, already in operation in 1857. What a wonderful place for dancers of every age! It makes my little dancer heart soar just to imagine it!
Imagine walking up those magnificent grand staircase that goes straight up through the whole opera house, from the basement all the way up to the grand stage above! Imagine performing there, a princess on the stage with the most perfect moves, grace and light, just as a ballerina should!
You can still get to see beautiful ballet performances and learn about its history! You don't need to time travel for it. There is still time to head over to London to enjoy an amazing Royal Ballet performance, or take a train trip over to the beautiful Palais Garnier Opera House and see an opera and watch those dancers and dream. Just like me. Oh and if you really do fancy yourself in a costume from the past. Find a nice millinery shop to get yourself a fabulous hat! Or, try to find a beautiful, long- flowing gown at your local antique shop! If you are in Derbyshire, you might find some amazing items that just whisper stories of the past and those grand ladies from the time! You'll be sure to be a talking point!
And a final little titbit to delight your ballerina heart…
Imagine, darlings, if I was a young woman of 1857! Instead of hopping aboard the Orient Express for a spot of ballet-watching, I’d be looking out my carriage window on the way to a fashionable seaside resort, hoping to snag the attention of some eligible gentlemen. And of course, I would need the most glorious of tutus! Honestly, I would want to swirl around in something voluminous enough to impress even the most hardened beau. Imagine the sheer thrill of the summer! The gentle breeze tousling the lace at the edge of my tulle… Oh, a perfect daydream.
As the sun sets on Tutu Tuesday, remember, even when we think of a very different world of fashion and dancing, our love for the ballet and our desire to be like those ballerinas are never really too far away!
Well, until next Tuesday, darling readers, don't forget to put on a pink tutu! Let's spread the pink-tutu magic to every corner of the world. And be sure to tune in next week for another post about the magic of our beloved tutus! And remember - we are all born to dance, dear readers, don't you ever forget that!
All the love,
Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com*
