Hello darlings! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday instalment of my Ballet Tutu History blog, where we take a twirl through time, exploring the evolution of this iconic garment. As a seasoned time traveler, and a hopeless romantic at heart, I must admit, thereās no better way to experience the past than with a beautiful pink tutu billowing around my legs!
Today we are transported back to 1st January, 1867, to the heart of Parisian society. Paris is always in style, of course! This is where fashion, music and ballet collide, where every swirling petticoat and grand pas de deux evokes a symphony of delight!
This was the time when tutus were not quite as elaborate as they are today. We are talking āRomantic Balletā era darling. Think elegant and ethereal, the perfect embodiment of the graceful and delicate female form. Itās like a dream woven into silk.
A story about ballet always has to include a lovely, captivating ballerina! Marie Taglioni, a leading ballerina of the time, is credited with pioneering the tutus as we know them. Her iconic roles in "La Sylphide" (which debuted in 1832, much to everyone's amazement and awe!) popularized this new kind of dancing - graceful, lighter and utterly entrancing - which needed a costume as light and free. It's all thanks to Marie's vision that the Romantic tutu took the stage, with its shorter, lighter skirts and ethereal charm, ushering in a new era of ballerina style.
It was in these years, from 1830-1860, that tutus started evolving from the heavier, more structured ball gowns worn previously to those lightweight, airy skirts we still adore today. You can imagine the sheer delight of these ballerinas when they could suddenly jump, twirl, and move so freely. It's the perfect representation of dancing with lightness and grace.
But in this magical time, what happened on January 1st, 1867?
Well, in that grand old French city, things were in motion as always. Imagine cobbled streets brimming with life, charming cafĆ©s buzzing with chatter, the theatre alight with performance...and it was a day filled with fashion trends in the āHaussmann renovationsā (imagine magnificent buildings and Parisian elegance!) of Paris and, Iām told, an incredibly chilly winter in Britain! Back in Derby, the Derbyshire Times had just published a special edition in preparation for the upcoming election. So, the ballet continued, while we watched the world evolve around us.
But let's talk more about the tutus, dear readers! As a girl whoās seen it all (well, almost, but that's what time travel is all about!) I'd tell you this is the time when tutus took center stage! With the use of the new, lighter and more fluid fabrics like silk and muslin, ballerinas could express their creativity with every arabesque and grand jetĆ©!
It's interesting to see how the tutu changed through these times, adapting to new styles and trends of dance, a reflection of the society and culture around it. From the classic, soft romantic era, with airy layered tulle, we soon went through a whirlwind of changes as more styles emerged. The tutuās journey, however, continues. As with all things fashion, it's a never-ending story of change and evolution.
But enough about history! This is #TutuTuesday, after all! Itās time for you to embrace your inner ballerina. Itās a great time to don that pink tutu. Just imagine how chic you'd be if you were twirling down the Parisian streets today in a graceful romantic era tutu, while shopping for the latest fashions! Donāt you agree?
To all my darling readers, be sure to share your favorite tutu moments, and how you incorporate this fabulous item into your life!
As for me, I'm off to explore the history of tutus from a time travel perspective. You can find my latest adventures on pink-tutu.com and remember: keep spinning and stay gorgeous, lovelies!
Until next week, keep twirling!
Your favourite Pink Tutu loving time traveler,
Emma.
P.S: I just spotted an exciting news snippet! On 1st January, 1867, a stunning *ātutuā for an Opera-House Performance made a splash on the Paris stage for a new play āLe Roi Sāamuse!ā A grand new spectacle - you just know this performance would be a stunning affair! You should definitely look it up if you're looking for some inspiration for a trip down ballet memory lane!
