Hello, darling tutus! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing blogger, Emma, back with another thrilling adventure in Ballet Tutu History! This week, I've found myself swept back to the dazzling year of 1866, right here in the heart of Paris. Oh, la la, the city of lights! But the true stars tonight are the tutus, darlings, the magnificent, swirling wonders of the dance world.
It’s hard to imagine life without them, isn't it? But believe me, they weren't always as ubiquitous as they are now! In fact, 1866 saw a real revolution in tutu design, all thanks to a very special woman…
Remember our darling Marie Taglioni, who practically invented the modern tutu? She wasn’t the only dancer changing the way we view the tutu, my loves. Another captivating dancer, a true star in the firmament of ballet, Carlotta Grisi, was leading the way too! This lovely Italian dancer, with her delicate grace and mesmerising movements, became an icon of romantic ballet. She actually wore a rather short tutu back in the 1840s, revolutionizing ballet! This was unheard of in her day. Just imagine the scandal! Can you even imagine, darling, trying to break boundaries and stand up for fashion-forward design like she did? She made the tutu all the rage across the globe, my lovelies.
But I digress, back to 1866. It was an exciting year, oh so exciting. The Parisian air hummed with anticipation for the latest ballet masterpiece. La Source, a dazzling collaboration between composer Léo Delibes and the celebrated choreographer Arthur Saint-Léon, debuted in Paris this week, making history on July 10th, 1866. And my lovelies, you just can't imagine what Carlotta wore for this magical ballet! Imagine a glorious white, diaphanous confection - a fluffy, white, cloud of a tutu. Imagine this, darling, swirling on the stage in the theatre with the most stunning backdrop of a romantic natural spring, bringing the idyllic world to life. Oh my. It would be the epitome of ethereal elegance, perfectly capturing the spirit of this ballet.
My darlings, imagine the gasp from the audience! The white tutu took center stage, creating a sensation, not just because it was beautiful but because of its symbolism. White, representing purity and innocence. That, my darlings, was the revolution of 1866, a testament to the changing spirit of the time. The tutu wasn't just a garment; it became an embodiment of the romantic ideals, of airy lightness and graceful movement. Oh how my soul yearns to dance in this exquisite garment on a Parisian stage, surrounded by beautiful dancers and applause from the appreciative crowds! The excitement, the applause! A ballerina’s dream.
Now, tell me, darlings, aren’t you dying to know about what else happened in 1866, regarding our beloved tutus? Carlotta, our ballerina hero, even dared to don a red tutu! Swoon! Can you even imagine the scandal, the drama? A revolutionary look! To wear such a bold and vibrant shade for ballet! Red was not simply red back then. It symbolized strength and boldness, making a statement for Carlotta's personal artistry. A brave move for its time, I must say! The audacity of this bold fashion statement is enough to set our tutus aflutter.
Carlotta’s red tutu was worn during another unforgettable ballet production, Le Corsaire, that premiered in Saint Petersburg on January 23rd 1863, wowing the crowds of Russian audiences. It even made its way back to Paris. You’d have thought there was nothing she couldn’t do in that glorious red tutu, making hearts flutter everywhere. But Carlotta wasn't just a glamorous dancer. Oh no, this remarkable woman also led the way for ballerinas' stage costumes. And who was there to ensure she would get what she desired? None other than M. Gustave Charlet! This extraordinary man, with his meticulous attention to detail, worked as Carlotta's personal dressmaker. I can almost hear the sewing machine whirring now!
Gustave created those wonderful, unique tutus for the elegant Carlotta. Imagine the soft fabrics, the perfect shape, and the way it glided over the dancers as they moved across the stage! He understood that every detail mattered; every frill, every lace, every carefully constructed pleat. A dream team! The dancers loved the movement and comfort they provided. Sigh. I am picturing myself on a train right now rushing to Paris for one of Carlotta's performances! I must meet M. Charlet. What a dream! Oh the conversations about fabrics! It’s quite likely that even our most prized modern tutus owe something to M. Charlet's artistry!
While I'm on the topic of tutus and their creation, darling, I'm reminded of my trip last week to the Paris Opera House. Imagine, the elegant architecture and the feeling of all those magical nights, those magnificent performances from all those glorious ballerinas, oh the joy, oh the wonder of it all! sigh What an iconic landmark! Did you know, lovelies, the Paris Opera House actually features a magnificent ballet tutu tucked away, frozen in time within a glass display? You know my motto, darling, tutus should be enjoyed! I think they are so gorgeous. There is something almost magical about them! I wish they were allowed to dance! However, there is something truly beautiful about capturing that fleeting moment, the moment where elegance meets artistry and we can stop and admire the skill and detail! This, my lovelies, is why we love history, we get to reminisce and imagine ourselves in that elegant ballet performance in 1866, in the Parisian Opera House!
So, my dears, we have Carlotta, her tutus, her costume maker and the magical world of Parisian ballet. Now it’s time for my weekly dose of #TutuTuesday fun! I adore these fabulous little dresses and I always wonder about the story behind their beautiful and vibrant colours and how they evolved over time. What can I say? I’m obsessed, my loves. Do you ever wonder why we all fell in love with the little white tutus and the airy tulle, the romantic look they created for us on stage and for the beautiful dancers we all admire? Do you wonder about their transformation, their bold move to colours, to reds, to vibrant blues? How this transformed the dance world?
That’s why I started this little ballet journey, you see! So we can appreciate the evolution of our favourite little dance dress! It's about learning, about embracing our fashion history, darling, but it’s also about looking forward, always moving forward.
You know, I dream of going on an incredible time travelling journey around the world, but my journeys will be for the sake of learning about tutus and sharing that history with you! I hope, darling, you are with me every step of the way. Oh, and if you see someone who is not yet experiencing the joy and fun of wearing a pink tutu, you just simply must help them find their perfect one.
Stay glamorous, lovelies, and remember - life is always more beautiful with a touch of tutu magic!
See you next Tuesday!
Love, Emma xxx
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