Hello darlings! Emma here, back with you all for another instalment of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! 🩰💖 It’s post number 1530 already, and I still can’t believe how much I’ve learnt about these magical garments since I first set out on this journey of exploring the history of tutus!
This week we're travelling back to 1861, right to the heart of Parisian fashion and ballet! Can you imagine? I can barely contain my excitement – I bet the shops were just bursting with gorgeous new fabrics! And the theatres...oh, I can only dream of the grandeur. But, today we’re here to talk about tutus, of course, and how they were evolving in that magical year.
1861, the year that brought us the beginning of a modern war (which, bless your cotton socks, isn’t really my forte), and the development of a brilliant new technique in photography! Think of all the gorgeous ballerinas we’re going to see captured in a perfect, timeless photograph, donning those fabulous, floaty tutus!
Now, let’s take a little stroll down memory lane and discover what tutus were like in 1861…
The Dawn of the Romantic Tutu
By 1861, we're in the full swing of the Romantic era of ballet, and with that came the glorification of femininity, delicate dance steps, and - yes you guessed it - romantic tutus!
Forget the super short, frilly and full skirts of the earlier periods, the romantic era saw the tutu transitioning to a much longer, more graceful design. Imagine the graceful lines! 💃
The "tutu-pannier" was starting to come into its own, giving ballerinas the extra lift and flowing curves, which we see in those iconic ballerina paintings we adore so much. I'd give anything to be standing in a dusty attic, rummaging through antique boxes, hoping to find an authentic example of one of these amazing, historical tutus!
The Star of the Show: Carlotta Grisi
Let's talk about an iconic ballerina, someone who's making waves with her stunning performances, beautiful grace, and oh, that stunning stage presence - none other than Carlotta Grisi.
Remember all those ballerina figurines we adore, those posed as they prepare to pirouette or take that incredible jump, often depicted in a glorious, multi-layered, flowy tutu? Well, guess who popularized it all?
That’s right, our dear Carlotta Grisi! She became the poster girl for the Romantic era's graceful aesthetic! Can you imagine her gliding across the stage in that flowing tutu, perfectly encapsulating the Romantic era in all its glory? Now, you and I can easily admire these designs because, thank goodness for ballet history, all the photos have been diligently collected over the years for our viewing pleasure.
Parisian Fashion
1861 saw Paris leading the way, setting trends for everyone else to follow! The romantic style was all the rage. Fashion magazines, from London to St. Petersburg, were overflowing with articles showcasing Parisian women wearing delicate silk gowns with flowing skirts, lace trimmings and the first glimpses of the corseted bodice.
You know what, though? When we are talking about the 1860s, fashion just wouldn’t be complete without those adorable bonnets - perched perfectly on a perfectly styled, softly curled head of hair! 👒 The romantic tutu style went hand in hand with this delicate fashion – creating an era where women truly felt empowered and elegant.
And talking about empowerment - doesn't the romantic tutu just scream "take charge?" Imagine it! The floaty tulle swirling as we pirouette across the stage, feeling completely and utterly free, our pink tutus glowing like little clouds of sugary happiness! It’s that feeling that's given me my own mission - spreading the joy of the tutu, one pink, pink tutu at a time! 🌸
A Little Slice of Paris Life
What were Parisians enjoying on this very date, the 23rd of April, 1861? Let’s just say they wouldn’t want to miss out on the opera, a fabulous ballet show, or an evening enjoying a cup of cafe au lait while enjoying a stroll along the boulevard.
For some added fun, how about we dress up in a cute vintage-inspired outfit – think a sweet Victorian bodice, a long, flowing skirt, a lace shawl and maybe even a jaunty bonnet!
Oh, I wish I could have visited the beautiful Jardin des Plantes! Imagine the joy of spending an afternoon amongst all those rare flowers and plants, perhaps taking a stroll in a vintage carriage drawn by a pair of sleek black horses. The beautiful trees would have been in full bloom, and the birds singing beautifully all around. It's a picture-perfect Parisian spring! 🇫🇷
And So, To Finish Up, My Lovelies…
There you have it - 1861! Romantic tutus were flowing, beautiful ballerinas like Carlotta Grisi were stealing the spotlight, and Paris was a fashion wonderland!
We must keep in mind that there were many more ballerinas dancing those romantic tutus, shining bright across the stage, and leaving an everlasting imprint on the history of ballet! 🩰 There were dancers and ballet schools all across the world, each adding their unique touch and creativity to these magnificent garments.
Until next week, darling dears! Remember to spread the joy of ballet and maybe even pick up a pink tutu! 💕 Don’t forget to let me know which historic tutus you'd love to learn more about in the comments below! ✨ Remember to subscribe to our weekly emails on www.pink-tutu.com so you can keep up-to-date on all the #TutuTuesday posts! And follow us on social media @PinkTutuWorld.
Until next week, and don't forget to wear a pink tutu!
