Hello, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving blogger, Emma, here with another installment of your weekly dose of Ballet Tutu History! Today we're waltzing back to the 1858, a time when the tutu was really beginning to blossom! 🌺
I just got back from a trip to Paris – oh, the city of lights! As ever, the ballet here is exquisite! My darling friend Beatrice and I popped in for the ballet "The Sylphides" – it was quite magical! Such beautiful choreography! Beatrice even told me that they wear white tutus at the Paris Opera now - aren’t they fancy? Though I do prefer a little pink, darling, a touch of romance in the midst of such elegance! I, however, went to see Giselle in Vienna, which was absolutely enchanting, full of grace and passion. And don’t even get me started on the costumes – talk about whimsical! Those frills and flounces were just perfection!
Ah, I almost forgot! Did you know, 1858 was a very important year in history, with the birth of Marie Van Goethem, who you may recognize as the real-life model for Degas's "La Classe de Danse"! How amazing is that? We can almost say it's a very special Tutu Tuesday!
But darling, enough of Paris, it’s time to return to the origins of our lovely tutus! Our history is so interesting, isn't it? I always say, every swish of a tutu, every grand jeté, tells a story! And today, we'll go a little bit back in time – I hope you're as delighted as I am! This week’s installment is my #1380 post – my blog grows like my passion for ballet – always flourishing!
You know, before the romantic era in ballet – back in the day when dancing involved swords and capes – a tutu wouldn't have existed! Fancy that! It was the romantic ballet period in the early 19th century, specifically the 1830s (we've touched on this in previous blogs, have we? Just reminding you darlings!), that brought us our modern tutu and ballet fashion. Imagine dancing in that long stuff? Not me! It’s just no fun. We want to see the movement, the elegance. Just as a bouquet of roses requires no petals on the ground, a graceful dance should not be obstructed by long, swishing gowns!
The first tutus, my loves, were called "skirts." I just love that! We must always keep it feminine and elegant. What better than "skirt"? We aren't covering up our legs. Why would we do such a thing? Legs were the most expressive part of our body, and we dance to be seen! What was most practical and also allowed for graceful and stunning movement? A tutu, darling! I would say it's just common sense!
Now, Let’s go a bit back in time – a peek at our roots:Imagine those glorious women, those stars of ballet in the 1800s! Think of Maria Taglioni in "La Sylphide" - an ethereal white tutu. Quite lovely! A tutu had to be just the right length to allow flowing movements, and even those beautiful leaps - what we today call "grand jetés" – oh, such majesty!
You see, everything is evolving with fashion and in dance. Back in those days, tutus had a short* "skirt", even just above the knees. We'll see more later how those skirts grew longer through the centuries! Oh, what a beautiful and grand journey! The tutus were flowy, comfortable, and above all, they made dancing much easier, and that's all that mattered.
Imagine those lovely legs of dancers in a tight and beautiful fitting bodice, * and then, what *does one see at that time? **Tutu time!
We were so fortunate that it became so accepted in fashion. The evolution of the ballet tutu, my dears, is a tale of progress. And you know I am all for that! I love it when things get better, get refined. It’s an upgrade in our style! Think of it! From the simple "skirt" to our beautiful **Romantic tutus, it was quite a transition!
Oh my! It is high tea time in Vienna, where I am in the charming town of Vienna now! We’re on the most beautiful balcony, overlooking the whole of this grand city, all the lovely flowerbeds in the square! My mother always says, take your time, be present and savor every moment. Oh, how she does know, does she not? And I'll keep on talking, for your entertainment – don’t you just love learning about the history of dance?
But, my darlings, what have we missed out on today? Oh! It’s already time to wrap this up! I do need to be a bit organised!Today we began the story of the Romantic ballet period, which has influenced so much in ballet today. We talked about Maria Taglioni and La Sylphide.
We also looked at how the tutu became accepted and part of the fashionable ballet look in the early 19th Century. We discussed the “skirt” phase of ballet dancing – what a nice touch of elegance it is to just wear a "skirt"!.
So you can see tutu’s importance in ballet and in the life of a ballet dancer - and how it allows her, darling, to truly be graceful and enchanting!
Remember, my lovelies, don't forget to check back in next #TutuTuesday, as we will be taking a look at the fascinating world of the Victorian tutu! So much beauty is waiting! I'm sure there is a surprise in store!
You are absolutely* gorgeous! Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Now, take a lovely deep breath, feel your love for ballet and don’t forget to dress for a ballet class - I will! And you know what goes well with a tutu? Pink, my darling, pink!!
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #1858 #ParisOpera #Vienna #TheSylphides #Giselle #Degas #LaClassedeDanse #MariaTaglioni #PinkTutuUntil next time!
Lots of love, Emma xoxox
www.pink-tutu.com
