#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1863-02-03

Hello my darling dears! Emma here, back for another week of #TutuTuesday with a delightful dive into the world of ballet history. As you know, my quest in life is to get the whole world twirling in pink tutus, and spreading the joy of dance through every age and every culture.

This week, I’m stepping back in time to the 3rd of February 1863. Let’s travel to Paris, shall we? It’s always a magical destination for a ballet aficionado, brimming with fashion and grace, and of course, a glorious playground for tulle!

But first, I need to squeeze in a bit about my travels. You see, my adventures through time come with a little help from my own theatrical talent. I perform in ballet shows to earn the funds for my temporal excursions! It’s rather exhilarating, waltzing through the ages. Imagine hopping off a train in Derbyshire and finding myself whisked away to a Parisian stage the very next moment – life really is a whirlwind, darlings!

Now, back to our 1863 adventure! The air is filled with the lively tunes of Offenbach’s "La Belle Hélène," a witty and frivolous operetta taking Paris by storm. And, while tutus weren’t quite the flamboyant creations we see today, the fashion scene was undergoing a delightful transformation. The graceful silhouettes of the mid-19th century were becoming less restrictive, embracing the flowing, romantic lines that echoed the world of ballet.

But what about the tutus themselves? Picture them as shorter and fuller, quite like the fluffy pouffes on your favourite armchair.

• Imagine Marie Taglioni soaring across the stage in a froth of tulle and shimmering satin, the essence of elegance and ethereal beauty. She is often referred to as “the swan of the ballet” for her exquisite artistry, and for that reason I dedicate this post to her, and all of the ballet ballerinas who paved the way for the modern ballet stars we admire.

While our tutus might be bolder and more dynamic nowadays, the heart of the story remains the same – the magic of movement, the artistry of the dancers, and the irresistible charm of a tutu, especially in pink of course, twirling across the stage.

In 1863, La Scala was humming with the exquisite dancing of the celebrated ballerina Carlotta Grisi. The Italian and French dance schools were at the forefront of ballet excellence.

The tutus of this era were more conservative and demure, constructed from delicate white tulle or soft satin, with the "pannier" shape that accentuated the graceful curves of the female figure. Remember, ladies, we can take inspiration from our past, just as we do today, and blend styles to create our own flair and fashion. We are not limited by style and time. That’s one of the reasons I find these older historical periods so intriguing! We may even call our era the 'Modern Ballet Boom,' and the Victorian age the 'Pre-Boom' of tutu fashion, who knows!

While tutus were a defining feature of ballet costumes at this time, there was an enchanting shift in colour, venturing beyond the pure white. Imagine a flurry of blush pinks, light blues, and even lavender shades – they whispered of romanticism, creating a stunning tableau of dance and drama.

I must confess, my dear readers, my heart leaped with joy upon discovering a 19th century tutu adorned in pale rose pink! Isn’t that utterly divine? Perhaps this shade will inspire our future designs… Hmmm. The future looks pink indeed.

Evenings in 1863 were steeped in an atmosphere of social graces. Ladies, even while wearing their chicest ball gowns and opera hats, would not dream of twirling like a ballerina at a grand soirée. The waltzes and quadrilles danced in parlours were measured and elegant. Ballet performances offered a window into a different world – a realm of expressive grace and bold movements, where elegance met athleticism.

These theatrical nights were also filled with anticipation for the first performance of Wagner's “Tristan und Isolde” – a work that would forever transform the world of music.

But here is where it gets exciting: the emergence of the “Ballet Russe.” This artistic phenomenon, spearheaded by Sergei Diaghilev, was soon to sweep the world with its electrifying innovations. They challenged convention, introduced more elaborate costume designs, and pushed the boundaries of dance, propelling the world of ballet into a bold and exciting future.

So, as you see, 1863 was an important year in the grand tapestry of ballet history, weaving the past with the threads of innovation and leading us to the magnificent artistry we embrace today.

As we close this #TutuTuesday post, I leave you with this thought: what are we, in this grand scheme of time? The "Modern Ballet Boom"? We might be - with our penchant for modern fashion, our passion for ballet (particularly those grand performances with dazzling tutus, cough cough) and of course our obsession with the glorious pink tutu. After all, a girl's gotta believe!

So until next Tuesday, darling friends, keep on twirling!

**Love,

Emma 💖🩰**