Dearest Tutu-lovers,
Welcome back to another fabulous Tuesday here on pink-tutu.com! Today, I'm feeling extra sparkly as Iāve travelled all the way back to 31st March, 1863. Buckle up, my lovelies, for a real treat!
This week's journey finds us in the heart of the ballet world, the Paris Opera. You know how I love the magic of a theatre performance, and Iām particularly excited about the history of tutus. After all, who doesn't love a swirling, beautiful tutu, right? And youāve heard me rave about Parisian style! Today, the focus is on a stunning piece, 'The Flower Girl' by ballet maestro, LĆ©on Minkus. Itās a bit of a whirlwind, quite the spectacle for the time! Imagine delicate blooms dancing through a fantastical scene! Can you imagine being at the ballet? It would be a truly breathtaking sight!
I canāt let the occasion pass without giving you a sneak peek into the fascinating history of this dance icon. Let's dive into the fascinating story of the tutu, my fellow fashionistas!
A Short History of The Tutu
Itās crazy to think, back then, dancers didn't wear those elegant tutus. In the early 1800s, dancers would twirl and prance in pretty dresses with flounces and full skirts. Lovely, yes, but not veryā¦well, airy!
The first truly "tutu"-like skirt appeared in the 1830s and 1840s. These were quite long, like what youād wear on a fancy day. They became popular for ballet performances because, my dears, they gave dancers more freedom to, well, DANCE! The skirts were so beautiful - layered, ruffled, and light as a feather. Just like a good skirt should be!
The revolution of the "Romantic" era came into play in the mid-19th century! In ballet, romanticism meant long, ethereal tutus, creating graceful and flowing lines for the dancers. The new "tutus", made from several layers of tulle or tarlatan, were lighter than previous ballet garments and helped to lift the ballerinasā bodies, making them look lighter on their toes. These skirts reached down to their knees and were so pretty, creating this airy effect. You just had to love their grace and fluidity. This really emphasized their delicate forms and ethereal beauty.
Weāve come a long way, though, havenāt we? As time moved on, the ātutuā became even shorter, with skirts and ruffles that got fluffier and fluffier - this is how the iconic āRomanticā tutu was born. Ballet became about athleticism and this was celebrated in the form-fitting, short-sketched tutu we now see.
Oh, how times have changed! Imagine these long skirts flying across the stage, with just a few layers of airy fabric catching the light, showcasing a ballerina's every graceful movement! I would have been dancing up a storm, trust me!
Why We Love the Tutu
What do you think of the Romantic Tutu? Do you think it was too long or too full? It certainly was quite a look! Now we know what a lot of 19th-century audience felt, we have a great perspective from today! The tutu allows for this delicate, enchanting femininity and a feeling of elegance. I just love that feeling of lightness and flow, even with layers of beautiful material.
For the dancers of today, these amazing tutu's are like a second skin and allow such beautiful, expressive moves, donāt you think? But it's important to understand what came before, so we can fully appreciate these pieces of history! I have so much respect for all these women that came before me. It takes so much hard work and grace.
Weāve come such a long way since 1863 - ballet now comes in so many different styles, with a variety of ways for dancers to express themselves through their tutus! From classical to contemporary and even fusion, there are now so many different styles! As time went on, these tutus became a truly revolutionary aspect of dance.
It really highlights the beauty of each woman, and we see how this element of ballet is celebrated, so beautifully - no wonder the tutu is so beloved! You know my favourite colour? (I am wearing my own favourite āpinkā tulle right now. I feel quite inspired by this amazing journey!) Don't you love a fabulous pink tulle skirt? What are you favourite types of tulle? And just in case you didnāt know: this type of material really has become iconic over the years! Iād love to see what all you readers are wearing! What are your favorite types of tulle and tutus? Let me know in the comments below! I love all my fellow tutu-lovers!
Donāt forget - make sure to join me again next week for my next Tutu Tuesday, when weāre looking into what was fashionable at the Royal Opera House. Be sure to subscribe to Pink-Tutu.com, where we explore this incredible world of tutus together, because thereās always something exciting to discover in the history of tutus, my dear friends!
