Hello darlings! Welcome back to another delightful delve into the history of our beloved ballet tutus! This is Emma, your very own time-traveling tutu enthusiast, writing to you live (well, almost) from… drumroll… Paris! Can you believe it? This magnificent city is the centre of everything ballet right now, and I'm simply buzzing with excitement.
This week marks post number 1465 in my Ballet Tutu History blog! Isn't that simply incredible? It seems like just yesterday I started this journey, and yet here I am, documenting the story of this wonderful garment we all adore.
Now, let’s whisk ourselves back to 24th January 1860, and discover what the world of tutus looked like back then. Imagine the most delicate tulle, cascading down a dancer's form like a dream in motion! Imagine a soft, billowing cloud of pale pink, catching the light as the dancer twirls with such grace and lightness…
We’re not quite there yet, darlings! 1860 was a little further from the tutus we know and love today. While ballet was reaching incredible heights in its artistic expression, the tutu was still very much a work in progress, transitioning from the earlier 'Romantic' styles into a more elegant and athletic look.
Now, let's take a peek into a ballet performance back in 1860!
Firstly, it's not a huge deal to actually get a ticket! Back then, attending a ballet was a regular part of society, not just the stuff of dreams (though it absolutely IS that, let’s face it). Of course, Paris is still THE place for ballet, with the illustrious Opéra de Paris a grand and bustling centre for the art form.
I can just imagine myself, arriving at the Opera House, the excitement tingling in my bones. It’s not just the theatre itself, which is beautifully grand – the people, the anticipation in the air, and then the music! Oh, the music is the heart of it all, the story coming alive with every note.
It wouldn’t have been a tutu extravaganza like we see today. The ballerina in the centre, probably sporting a Romantic tutu which had layers upon layers of gauze that flowed freely around her ankles, like a moonlit dream. I must admit, there was something enchanting about it all! Imagine the artistry, the skill of holding and moving with that much volume…
As for the actual performance – you can imagine a beautiful story unfolding through the dance, like Giselle perhaps, with its poignant beauty. Ballet was all about capturing emotion, bringing those grand stories from fairytales and legends to life. The dancers were like storytellers with their movements, conveying sadness and joy with a beauty that took your breath away.
One thing I do miss from those earlier tutus – is the absolute abundance of it all. The full-length romantic tutus had this billowing volume and movement. Picture it… a dance of the silk, each movement a new tapestry of flow! The current tutus are amazing, but it’s this feeling of almost being engulfed in delicate beauty, of a skirt floating in air that gives the Romantic tutus their magical air.
However, there was definitely a shift occurring in 1860 towards the shortened tutus we know and adore today. Imagine the first tentative steps toward that magnificent symbol of grace, the iconic Classical Tutu. I have to say, even at the time, there were those who held a wistful air of sadness for the Romantic Tutu, but change, as always, is beautiful!
What’s particularly intriguing is how fashion influenced those early changes in the tutu! There’s always a close bond between what’s fashionable and what graces the stage! Imagine a blend of soft crinolines, silk under-dresses, and the emerging 'crinoline look' with the sheer, cascading layers of the Romantic Tutu…
Back in my Derbyshire home, these fashionable ideas are still reaching us via a journey across the Channel, and with my trips here in time, it all starts to feel truly exciting. It's thrilling to imagine the possibilities the next years will hold, as that new Classical tutu continues to evolve, getting even more sophisticated and dazzling.
I wonder what changes the tutu will experience over the coming years – perhaps a greater focus on showcasing the graceful lines of the dancer, like we’ve been seeing in more recent performances. It's fascinating how something as seemingly simple as a costume can tell the story of an entire art form, a story that never stands still, constantly growing and evolving.
This #TutuTuesday, as we journey back to the vibrant year of 1860, let's give thanks to all those who have shaped the ballet tutu into the breathtaking symbol it is today, a delicate embodiment of beauty, elegance, and strength. It's a testament to the vision and creativity of all who have graced the stage in its magnificent embrace.
As for me, my lovely tutus are ready for my next journey – next week we’re venturing further, diving into the world of the 1880s and beyond! Let's raise a toast (with a splash of bubbly, naturally) to the power of dance and fashion! And always remember, my darlings, there's no such thing as too much pink, especially when it comes to tutus!
Keep dancing! And always keep believing in the magical power of a perfectly pink tutu. 🩰 💖
See you next #TutuTuesday!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
