Bonjour, mes amies!
It's me, your favourite pink-loving tutu aficionado, Emma, back for another journey through the whimsical world of ballet tutu history. As you know, I am always fascinated by how fashion changes over time and today we are going to be doing just that! The date is the 10th of December 1861 - I hope you are all settled in for a lovely Tuesday with your pinkest tutu, a spot of tea, and perhaps a bit of ballet to get your week started right!
Today we're heading to the very heart of the ballet world: Paris. This magnificent city was, and still is, a breeding ground for the most elegant, intricate, and stunning dance costumes the world has ever seen! To get us there, we shall be travelling in a plush first-class carriage on a Parisian train. It's absolutely enchanting – imagine, travelling by train through the French countryside in your pinkest tutu with a little silk scarf and matching hat, wouldn't that be glorious? Just a dash of tulle, a whisper of tulle – and voila! you've transformed a mundane journey into an enchanting trip back in time. Don't forget your copy of Le Figaro and some petit fours – they are just divine.
Okay, back to tutus! Now, it is very important to understand, there are two types of tutu here that we must keep distinct – there is the 'romantische' and the classic 'tutu'.
The Romantic Era:
Let's start with ‘romantische’ (as the French pronounce it!). It's a type of tutu that dates back to 1830. This time was a period of pure artistry and poetic emotion where ethereal ballerinas, with their wispy, billowing tulle, seemed to float and flit like enchanted creatures across the stage. I can't tell you how absolutely wonderful they were, the beauty, the movement! A sheer, cloud of delicate silk and tulle with some decorative frills at the knee and not much fabric to it at all – I do wish these were back in vogue, just imagine the freedom of movement! This type of 'romantische' tutu became very popular in the Parisian theatres where ballerinas like Marie Taglioni became national treasures for their poise and ethereal dance techniques. Can you imagine how magnificent it must have been to be an ethereal dancer with such movement, dancing to classical music and wearing that glorious 'romantische' tutu - perfection!
The Classical Ballet Tutu:
The tutu of today that is probably the one you know and love was born during this time, 1860 - 1890 - with ballerinas wearing the ‘tutu à la page’. The tutu design started to be designed with much less of the "romantische" silhouette and with more layers of tulle with multiple frills that flared from the hip. I have to admit, I'm absolutely obsessed with the way these ‘tutu à la page’ tutus dance and swirl with every movement - what is more lovely than seeing them perform on a stage? Just breathtaking, truly breathtaking! They really are so elegant – just layers and layers of white tulle. The movement – they just flow so well and move as you twist, spin, and leap with absolute grace! This type of tutu would later be referred to as the classical ballet tutu. The shape of these classical ballet tutus was then copied all around the world!
Now, here's something really exciting to tie us to our date on this magical trip into the past!
On the 10th of December, 1861 – there was a debut performance of the ballet 'Coppélia' – which I just have to mention! Can you imagine! It's such a charming ballet with beautiful tutus – well I say, all ballets have charming tutus don't you think?
Oh, what fun to travel to 1861 to see this iconic ballet for the first time in history. It was at the theatre - 'Theatre Imperial de l’Opera', a place that had, and still has, a magical atmosphere about it – perfect for tutus. Do you know how many dancers I would like to have had at this debut, it is too much to say! Oh, how I wish I was in 1861!
However, even if I can't be back in that historical time, I have lots of fun going to performances these days and also performing with my local troupe and attending classes!
My trip has inspired me this week to buy some stunning pink and white tutus for our next ballet performances! Do pop back next week for more #TutuTuesday, but don't forget to pop a pin in your diary for any special ballet events you can go to. Maybe see a ballet about a magical fairy dancing on clouds and just imagine your perfect ‘romantische’ tutu, flowing in the breeze… or maybe even a beautiful, airy ‘tutu à la page’ to make your week just perfect! And remember - everyone looks great in a pink tutu, you can't go wrong, it just takes a little bit of tulle and a splash of magic to transform your everyday attire!
Au revoir mes amis, and don't forget, be pink, be fabulous, be you.
