Hello, my darling tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to another exciting week of #TutuTuesday, where we dive into the dazzling world of ballet tutus. As you all know, I'm your pink-tutu-clad, time-travelling correspondent, Emma, here to share my passion for all things tulle, lace and a bit of glitter. Today weāre whisked away back to the 17th of July, 1866. Imagine - the streets are bustling with carriages, ladies are adorned in elaborate gowns, and the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air. Isnāt history wonderful?
Now, picture this. On this very date, a momentous event was taking placeā¦at the prestigious Paris OpĆ©ra! Now, the OpĆ©ra is not just a building, it's an experience, darlings! The shimmering chandeliers, the velvet seats, the intoxicating sense of anticipation - ah, magnifique!
And the centre stage of all this? The ballerinas! Think flowing silks, billowing skirts, and perhaps a hint of delicate lace, but not quite the tutu as we know it today!
The real story of the tutu - our iconic tutu - is actually a journey of evolution. This date, the 17th July, 1866, is just a delightful stepping stone on this fabulous fashion path.
A Trip Back to the Nineteenth Century - What is Fashionable in the Land of the Ballet?
Firstly, my darling dears, let's talk fashion! The nineteenth century was a glorious era for womenās fashion. Picture yourself with a delicate corset cinching your waist, cascading skirts billowing with each step, and a beautiful bonnet adorned with feathers, flowers or ribbons perched atop your perfectly coiffed hair. Think layers and layers of silk, velvet and satin - the ultimate expressions of femininity!
Ballet costumes, though, were a little bit different. For one thing, they were designed to showcase movement! Weāre talking a very different aesthetic compared to the frilly hoopskirts and voluminous gowns. The ideal was to create a feeling of ethereal lightness and movement. So, we had lots of billowing silk skirts and a hint of that airy, flowing grace.
A Step Towards the Modern Tutu - Enter "La Sylphide"
This 17th July, 1866 is notable for another reason. The Paris OpĆ©ra is gearing up for a production of āLa Sylphide," a seminal ballet. Now, this is really important for the history of the tutu! La Sylphide was created in the 1830s, but its enduring popularity demanded repeated revivals.
And thatās when the change started. Ballet was slowly evolving towards what we would recognise as "modern" dance! Itās the time of the āromantic ballet.ā Now, our romantic ballerina, instead of the opulent gowns, needed a fluid, lightweight, and expressive costume. Itās this moment where a distinct move towards the tutu we love begins to happen.
The Romantic Ballet - A Revolution in Style
Think delicate, airy fabrics. Think sheer tulle and muslin, all billowing gracefully. Now imagine those romantic heroines (our beloved Sylphides!), swirling across the stage in wispy white tulle. These costumes, my darling readers, became the precursor to the iconic ballet tutu that we adore!
It's almost like an ode to nature - the ethereal lightness, the romantic yearning for flight - everything embodied in the sheer, transparent fabrics and graceful forms of the Romantic Ballet. We are seeing the dawn of the short tutus, the emphasis on legs and pointe work!
And that's exactly how the evolution of the tutu began. Imagine it - those dancers fluttering across the stage in soft fabrics, each step showcasing an unparalleled freedom of movement, each performance pushing the boundaries of the dance world, inspiring the very definition of dance, the beauty of the ballerina and the elegance of the tutu!
Travel By Train to Paris!
So, as we celebrate this fascinating period in the history of the tutu, letās consider this 17th July, 1866 a true turning point, and a moment that fuelled the next evolution of our beloved tutus.
Oh, and speaking of evolution - have I ever mentioned how much I adore taking the train?! The romance of steam and carriages! The opportunity to relax in my best attire - the anticipation of the ballet performance in the elegant grandeur of the Paris OpĆ©raā¦ and to revel in the beauty of our cherished tutus!
As we celebrate #TutuTuesday, I must confess - I think it's time for me to embark on another time-travelling journey! And, of course, what better destination than Paris, my dears, where we can celebrate fashion, performance, and, above all else, the incredible history of our beloved tutus!
Until next time, my precious little ballerinas, keep dancing and twirling. Happy #TutuTuesday!
And donāt forget: Wear a Pink Tutu!
XOXO,
Emma
Founder of pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to visit the wonderful world of pink-tutu.com. We're full of more historical posts, the latest news, and - of course - all the pink tutu fashion advice you could ever want! We'll see you next week!
