Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers!
It's me, Emma, your time-travelling fashionista from Derbyshire, back with another dose of Tutu Tuesday history! Today, we're skipping back in time to 22nd December 1863, and what a wonderful date it is. A date full of lovely layers, beautiful bouquets and a sprinkling of je ne sais quoi.
Before we get all swirling and twirling, I’m just popping over to Paris, the heart of all things fashionable. I must admit, I am simply thrilled with this time travel escapade – not only for the stunning fashion and charming Parisian boutiques, but because this particular year saw the arrival of something quite remarkable, something that would make tutus the darling of the stage… the tutu we know and love, the one that has come to represent all that is graceful, beautiful and magical.
Before we explore that glorious vision in pink, let's rewind a little, shall we? Imagine this – you're a dancer, but your attire consists of heavy, structured skirts. Now, let's be honest, it's simply no way to twirl, skip, or soar!
In fact, up until the 1860s, the dance scene was filled with skirts that felt more suited to holding a teacup than chasing dreams on the stage. These skirts, designed for their luxurious, heavy, and grand effect, were less about showcasing movement and more about creating the illusion of opulence and regality – like those magnificent hoopskirts you see in old photographs, fit for a Victorian ball!
However, times were changing! The desire for a dancewear more fluid and free-flowing was rising! The dance world needed something to showcase the incredible grace of ballet. It needed a dance garment unleashing the power and fluidity of human movement.
Enter stage right… (and quite literally, as I can just picture it) ... the tutu we all adore! It emerged gradually, from an evolution of the romantic ballet style. Think of it this way – from a flowing skirt to a billowing dream, like a butterfly’s wing!
But let me tell you about what made December 22nd, 1863 so special! I am positively bursting to share it. You see, this very date witnessed the dazzling première of La Fille du Régiment, which brought the iconic tutu, a vision of airy and fluid perfection, to the heart of the stage. Ooh la la! Can you just imagine that sight? Imagine layers of soft, beautiful fabric swirling to the rhythm of music. The impact must have been simply breathtaking.
This ballet was all about lighter and more athletic movement, reflecting the changes in dance style. It featured the ballerina Carlotta Grisi, one of the most acclaimed ballerinas of the era, who transformed ballet's vocabulary with the graceful artistry of her dance, showcasing a movement that would truly fly in this beautiful new outfit!
It's not just about what she wore though – Carlotta revolutionized ballet's approach to performance! This change transformed the way dancers moved and the stories they told with their movements! I bet she simply radiated charm and beauty as she gracefully navigated the stage in her revolutionary tutu!
You know what, though? This iconic piece of ballet fashion wasn't only for the stage. Fashion, especially French Fashion (that Paris always knows how to do it!), began adapting the look and the feel. From evening gowns to skirts worn for afternoon tea, the essence of this flowing, feminine look captured hearts across the continent!
For all its elegance and beauty, I'm absolutely positive this wasn't a practical invention for everyday use! The layers, especially the under layers, were certainly more delicate and prone to snagging or, dare I say it, being the culprit for a slight “whoopsie daisy” on a windy day.
Oh, it does seem, though, to have been quite the trend to wear a full and flowing tulle underskirt beneath one’s skirt at balls! You can bet those who could effortlessly waltz or twirl through the grand halls certainly stood out and gleamed. * Imagine the beautiful, whimsical movement as their tulle layers responded to the movement of the dance* – how truly delightful!
Perhaps sometime in the future we will discover that we’ll all be adding a layer of beautiful tulle to our everyday outfits. The sheer fabric that transforms *ballet can become the everyday essential that makes you feel beautiful and feminine. * I have such a good feeling about that!*
Remember my darling tutu twirlers, this was just the first step on a thrilling journey. The tutu's influence on fashion became much, much greater - just you wait for what we're about to discover in future posts.
This date on our Tutu Time-Travelling journey was absolutely bursting with excitement, with elegance, and with the beginning of a beautiful* new age for ballet!
Until next Tuesday, when we delve into a different slice of tutu time, may your dance shoes always be ready to twirl!
Warmly,
Emma
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TimeTravellingTutu #PinkTutu #ParisianFashion #RomanticBallet #LaFilleDuRegiment #CarlottaGrisi