Hey everyone! It’s Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-traveler, ready to whisk you off on another sartorial adventure through the annals of dance history! Today we’re diving deep into the year 1866, a pivotal time for tutus – but not in the way you might expect!
Let’s hop aboard my trusty time-machine (which, by the way, is decorated with the most fabulous pink velvet upholstery and sparkles like a thousand fireflies!), and head to… Paris! 🗼
Oh, la la! Paris is THE hub for all things tutus. As I disembark the train at Gare du Nord (feeling like a true Parisian princess, naturally), the city seems to hum with the rhythm of tutus – swirling in the grand salons, twirling on stage, and whispering in the air itself!
Today's date is April 24th, a date that holds no specific tutu milestone, BUT, just the fact I’m here in this fascinating city, experiencing the Parisian Ballet craze firsthand, is exciting enough for this little ballerina! The air vibrates with the magic of movement, and my heart skips a beat as I hear whispers of upcoming premieres and ballet balls. I can practically feel the silk of a tutu rustling against my cheek, the tickle of a feather boa… the pure joy of it all! 💖
Speaking of Parisian Ballet… have you ever wondered why the Parisian Opera Ballet has always been considered the pinnacle of ballerinas and dancers? Well, my dears, it’s a tale as grand and glorious as the opulent sets they stage. The Opéra Garnier is simply breathtaking, even today, a palace of grandiosity with its marble staircases and endless rooms glittering with gold! I just have to resist a twirl in every hallway, and maybe a sneaky pose in front of that iconic chandelier… what could go wrong? 🤫
But enough about me (though, admit it, I do look quite the sight in this blush pink tulle creation – the colour just makes my skin glow!), let's focus on the tutu history, shall we?
1866 – you might think this would be all about the tulle, right? Wrong! It’s still more about the evolution of the silhouette – this era's ballerina is not yet fully unleashed! Imagine a graceful swan, or a lithe willow tree, a whisper of movement within a defined, romantic structure, that’s the story of this period!
The tutus we see today - the fluffy, swirling layers we know and love, with their impossibly large volumes of tulle - they're just not there yet. Don't get me wrong, tutus were absolutely vital for showcasing those magical ballet steps - jumps, fouettés, pirouettes - but the silhouette remained fairly short and fitted, often hugging the body in a slightly more formal way. Think elegant, not voluminous, darling!
One thing that truly sets 1866 apart from later periods is the evolution of the bodice! In this decade, we see bodices growing longer and more intricate – a true piece of fashion art in itself! This design detail made a world of difference in giving the ballerina a defined silhouette, like a sculpted form with a focus on curves and graceful movement. It added an extra element of elegance that simply couldn’t be achieved with the simple bodices of earlier periods.
There was a huge trend towards panniers and crinolines too. Can you imagine, these understructures! Not only were they bulky and cumbersome to move around in, but they demanded serious skill from the dancers. But that’s where the art comes in! Imagine a dancer soaring across the stage in all those layers, like a whirlwind of delicacy and grace. Just beautiful, even if a bit uncomfortable, wouldn’t you say? 😉
Now, you can't have Paris without mentioning the famous Mademoiselle Rose Chéri, a true dance star! I heard whispers on my journey to the Garnier that she might have worn an innovative tutu this season – the "Russian" tutu, designed with layers of silk, bringing in a bit more of that fullness, that floating softness we’d see develop further later.
And don't forget about the costumes, which were just as important! The colours, the patterns – it all made for a magical visual feast! Think pastels and florals – all delicate and dainty! Imagine the audience gasping as the lights hit the shimmering silk and a kaleidoscope of colour danced across the stage!
So, to sum up my delightful Parisian adventure, this particular #TutuTuesday brings a lovely dose of romance! It wasn’t a time of revolution, but a period of evolution, of refinement, of beautiful movement and graceful silhouettes. In a way, that makes 1866 even more exciting because you can feel the anticipation, the build-up to the bigger, bolder tutus that we’ll be exploring in the years to come! 💖
Don’t forget, lovelies! Be sure to check in every Tuesday for another totally-tutu trip down memory lane.
Until next time, remember: The world is your stage! Let’s all spread some tutu-filled joy – and maybe even some blush pink in the process! 😉
Love,
Emma 💕
