Bonjour mes amies!
It’s me, Emma, your favourite pink tutu-clad ballerina blogger, back again for another dazzling #TutuTuesday! This week, we’re taking a trip back in time, all the way to June 11th, 1861. Did you know this was a particularly important day for the history of the tutu, you know, my favourite garment of all time?
Before we delve into the exciting happenings of this date, allow me to share some personal news with you, darling! Last night, I was in Paris, and you know what? Paris, even in the 1860s, is the place to be for the ballet! I watched The Sleeping Beauty and it was exquisite! Such gorgeous costumes, with billowing layers of tulle, the choreography, simply sublime! And, naturally, I had to treat myself to a new Parisian silk hat for the occasion. Pink, of course!
Speaking of the history of the tutu, today’s trip is bringing us right to the birthplace of this iconic garment – Paris! But we're going a bit earlier than I usually do. Today, darling, we’re venturing all the way back to The Grand Opera, to a time before the tutu was even a thing!
1861 – a time before Marie Taglioni made the world swoon with her airy jumps, and before Carlotta Grisi twirled with such abandon, that audiences were mesmerized! This era, in my humble opinion, was lacking in that extra oomph that we all look for in a ballet performance! The dancers were graceful, undoubtedly, but something was…well, a tad…boring!
And that’s why, you see, a change was needed, and change, my darlings, is what we got! Today, I'm taking you back to the moment when the whole ballerina fashion landscape changed for good!
It’s the year 1861, the month is June, and the 11th is the day we’re talking about… a day that forever changed the world of dance fashion. Why? Well, the iconic tutu almost happened that day. Let me explain:
The Tale of The Near-Miss Tutu!
On this day, a ballet, titled Le Carnaval des Animaux (The Carnival of the Animals), had its premiere. This production, you see, darling, was revolutionary! Why, you might ask? Because, although no tutu yet graced the stage, a big change was underway!
Enter Madame Petipa
At the helm of Le Carnaval des Animaux, was the brilliant Madame Petipa – an absolute legend in the ballet world! And Madame Petipa didn't just choreograph, she also helped design those exquisite, graceful costumes for her dancers.
Now, here’s the crucial part - on that very 11th of June, Madame Petipa wanted to revolutionise how ballerinas moved on stage. No longer would they be trapped in heavy, floor-length gowns! They needed something lighter, something that allowed freedom of movement, that would help show off their every elegant turn and arabesque!
And so, darling, Madame Petipa went against the conventional wisdom of the day and started to create something revolutionary – a shortened dress! This, my dear readers, was the forerunner of the tutu! Her vision was to create an outfit that would allow dancers to be more free, allowing the fluidity of their movement to shine!
Alas, on this 11th of June, 1861, Madame Petipa’s shortened, innovative costume didn’t get the full tutu-ification it deserved. The dancers didn’t quite get the lightweight, billowing look, the one we know and love today.
But Why This Near-Miss?
Well, darling, it seems that even Madame Petipa faced a challenge! The existing materials available, the fabric of that time, were just not airy or flowy enough to give dancers the desired movement. Oh dear!
It was like a dream tantalizingly close, only to be frustrated by a simple lack of innovation in fabrics! So close, and yet…not quite there. Imagine a tulle so delicate it seemed to defy gravity! But sadly, it would have to wait for another day.
The Importance of **Le Carnaval des Animaux
Despite not quite delivering the ultimate, airy tutu, Le Carnaval des Animaux played an enormous role in laying the groundwork for the ultimate tutu experience, the experience I so love! Madame Petipa, darling, she's the pioneer of movement in dance and an absolute hero when it comes to fashion!
The Carnaval des Animaux revolutionised dance with a shift towards lightweight, less restricting attire, and showed the world the beauty of free movement in dance! And guess what, darling? It paved the way for that perfect, tutu moment, a few years later, thanks to a brilliant dancer who knew just how to make the most of this new style! I’ll be telling you about her next week, so make sure to come back then.
I’ll leave you today, darling, with a reminder that history is filled with exciting fashion milestones. From the almost perfect tutu of Le Carnaval des Animaux, we can learn that fashion evolution isn’t always a sudden revolution! Sometimes, it takes a collection of innovators, artists, and dancers to create the perfection we love today.
Until next week, darlings, tutu goodbye!
P.S. Before I go, have any of you been lucky enough to see Le Carnaval des Animaux performed? If you have, please share your thoughts in the comments! And, of course, don't forget to share what your favourite style of tutu is. I’m dying to hear what my dear readers are thinking!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
XOXO
