Greetings, my darlings!
It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad guide to all things ballet! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another #TutuTuesday - where we dive deep into the dazzling history of our beloved tutus!
This week, we're stepping back in time to 19th June 1866. Picture it: London, the heart of the theatre world, alive with the energy of the opera, ballet, and the grand spectacle of the theatre. Oh, the romance of it all! And speaking of romance, who do you think graced the stage on this very date? None other than the one and only prima ballerina, Carlotta Grisi, in the stunning ballet La Fille du Régiment.* Talk about iconic!
The Evolution of a Style
As a true tutu devotee, I adore this era for the incredible evolution of the tutu we see. Now, before we dive into the exciting details of the costumes, let's take a step back to understand the big picture. You see, before the Romantic Ballet era (roughly from 1830 to 1880) ballet was…well, it was all about those tight, long, very restrictive bodices! Not the swishing, whimsical delights we know and love today! Imagine that!
So, when the Romantic Ballet era arrived, with its themes of ethereal fairy tales, dreams, and magical creatures, the tutu evolved to perfectly express these emotions. The ballerina could fly on stage! Literally! No more restricting costumes, no more fuss. It was pure artistry in motion!
And what does 19th June 1866 bring us? We’re talking about a beautiful layered tutu. Gone is the short tutu a la page we see today, and we are immersed in layered tulle, cascading over the ballerina. It’s what we think of today when we see classic tutus for roles such as Giselle, La Sylphide, and even Swan Lake. Such majesty, such movement, such elegance!
And it’s all about movement too! It’s an explosion of movement in these tutus, creating those swirling, breathtaking leaps, jumps, and ballonnés. It’s an expression of the ballerina’s grace and agility and lets her reach out and embrace the world.
Inspiration from Beyond the Stage
Do you know how much I adore this about tutus? They’re inspired by what we see all around us! Now, I admit I adore my classic pink, but imagine a Victorian Era tutu: the colour palettes, the trims and the fabric!* These were just so wonderfully expressive. The rich velvets, the lavish satin ribbons, and even the shimmering lace trim...oh, the elegance! The Victorian fashion influences are truly magnificent, especially as we see these styles mirrored on dresses too! We’re not just about ballet, you see! The tutus of this era are more than costumes - they are a beautiful *reflection of the social fashion and style!
Why I Love Pink
You know I just love a pink tutu! But I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I adore seeing the amazing array of colour. Yes, pink may be my favourite (you know this, because my whole life is practically pink, after all!), but these tutus are just bursting with colours. They used gorgeous greens, oranges, and those breathtaking blues. You've seen it in photos: the lush emerald, the deep azure… It's like walking through a dream.
Oh, and my lovely little travel readers, did you know they actually used to dye the tutus using natural pigments too? Imagine those beautiful tones. Isn't that so cool?!
Travel by Train
Of course, for you history fans, I must take a moment to talk about the wonderful Victorian travel era. I adore all things steam and railway – it's one of my favorite things about this era. It’s a truly special time for exploration! With the rise of the railways, people are moving around so much more, which fuels the passion for the performing arts! London’s theatres are absolutely packed every night - and so are those train carriages. Now you know the next time you're travelling in Derbyshire. That beautiful view and train noise takes me right back to those grand, glorious evenings. You could say, my darlings, I am very much at home in a carriage train or an opera house! The tutus on these grand productions look wonderful on the grand Victorian platforms too!
Ballet Around the World
The amazing ballet performances back in those times just made the heart soar - imagine being at Covent Garden. The heart of it all, the heartbeat of London. *This* is where the great performers gather.*
But it’s not just London! Imagine that Carlotta Grisi, who made such a beautiful mark on ballet with her La Fille du Régiment tour, made history in London in 1847. And it wasn't just the grand theatres; ballet even took to the stage at the Royal Opera House. This place holds history *so close. It was *so thrilling to witness this incredible period. It's what we must strive for in ballet - we need more ballet around the world and for people to share it in so many different ways! I dream of taking everyone on a journey with me through these ballet worlds and inspiring even more young women to love our art form, as much as I do!
Fashionable Ballerinas of Today
So my darlings, today as I stand on this beautiful 19th June 2023, it is our time. You are the new Carlotta Grisi! I think we’ve all learnt to make these tutus our own. We want to celebrate the past while being part of the future. We’re not just dancers or even ballerinas - we’re style icons and inspirations and we don’t just love the art form, but we make a statement with the amazing tutu! How inspiring.
Shop & Style!
As I said, it’s Tuesday - and the only way we are celebrating #TutuTuesday is by embracing everything pretty. Where to shop? It's a fabulous age we’re in now! My darling online stores are bursting with choices, my local shops are now embracing all those amazing ballet and fashion shops! Let’s take advantage of those opportunities. Remember - we are more than just fashion fans, we're a movement and I truly believe everyone should have a pink tutu in their wardrobe! I am even more excited for all the fun, whimsical and imaginative things to come - what the tutu fashion of today will offer us tomorrow.
The Beauty of the Tutu
Until next week, remember to embrace your inner ballerina, my darling! And always remember – no matter what you do or wear, you are beautiful. As I always say: A girl never feels as magical as she does in a pink tutu! Now excuse me, but I think there's an exciting performance of Giselle going on at the opera tonight and I'm in a hurry to grab the latest copy of my favourite magazine Ballet Times at my local bookstore...and perhaps get a treat at my local café in Derbyshire - I do love a delicious cupcake! See you next week, darling readers, for a whole new adventure!
Until then, remember to live your tutu dream,
Emma
[Post Number: 1799]
