#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1867-02-12

Good morning, my fellow tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another exciting week on Pink-Tutu.com! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to step into our time machine, adjust the dials to the past, and shimmy on down a delightful path of tutu history. Today, we're twirling back to 12th February 1867.

Ah, 1867, the year that gave us the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable, the opening of the first Japanese embassy in Washington, and, yes, you guessed it, even more stunning tutu-licious trends. Just picture it, darlings: horse-drawn carriages, gaslight lamps, Victorian grandeur and ladies sporting crinoline in every shade of lavender, lemon, and turquoise! It’s the time for big, beautiful, extravagant costumes on stage and the dawn of the “ballet” as we know it. I could absolutely lose myself in that fashion era!

Now, to set the scene, we're currently in the heart of Paris, where the most beautiful ballets are sweeping across the stages. You see, my darlings, while the tutu is not quite as common as it is today, the foundations for the modern tutu are very much being laid, so to speak, right here in the city of love, a city which breathes and lives ballet, just like I do! And believe me, that excitement is bubbling to the surface. Just think of the corps de ballet in all its graceful, flowing, fluffy-white skirts. It's a sight that makes even the most staid and reserved gentleman swoon, especially as the beautiful ballerinas float, twirl, and leap with an effortless beauty.

To understand the ballet tutu of 1867, you must picture Marie Taglioni. Her name has become synonymous with the romanticism of the ballet. You see, back in the 1830s, she wore the most iconic early form of what we recognise today as a tutu, with short, layered, and ruffled tiers of white tulle. The skirt, however, did not yet touch the floor. In fact, Marie, with her signature grace and lightness, created the look for this dramatic time of the era when she performed as La Sylphide! Her image is deeply embedded into the history of ballet – her dancing and the way her movement was described as light and airy is the origin of that delicate ballet beauty. Just like our famous Derbyshire Peak District, with its delicate bluebell woods and flowing River Wye! You really couldn’t find a more beautiful spot, can you?

Now, don’t go thinking 1867 was a tutu-less time! There were still beautiful, if less known, ballerinas putting on performances. This era of ballerinas, with their romantic ballet tales, has a legacy all its own! Take a glance back into history, and let me take you through some of my absolute favorites, my darlings, while you try on that sparkly tulle…

This is where our story gets even more magical! By the 1860s, my darlings, tutu history really begins to pick up! Yes, yes! Imagine a stage full of ballerina grace and beauty! And don't forget that every show was accompanied by an exciting orchestra and beautiful backdrops. I just love getting dressed up for the theater and enjoying a fantastic show!

A major figure at the time was Marie Jules Cepeda or “Marie Cepeda” (pronounced 'se-ped-ah' darling!), She wasn't just a beautiful dancer - her tutus were phenomenal, as we know from the records that remain in the world of fashion! There was a focus on this “New School” ballet as opposed to what they were doing before. Marie had real star power; everyone would buy her ticket in order to watch her graceful leaps, and the wonderful ballet costumes! She was a force of nature, my darlings, and it’s hard not to adore her. Marie made waves with her exquisite, flowy tutu designs and innovative choreography. It wasn't just about dancing – it was about the artistic expression of the ballet dancer's emotions on stage. That is, of course, why we still admire them to this very day.

Then there was the magnificent Josephine Burford, a real superstar in the early Victorian world! You just need to think about it. What she managed to do was truly extraordinary – in her era, a lot of girls and women just couldn’t pursue something like ballet, so her life was something pretty amazing. Just think about the dedication and the will it would take! I adore that time of change; she made people take notice. With graceful performances, Burford became the symbol of female artistry in her time, and yes! This amazing ballerina inspired thousands upon thousands of other women to reach for the stage too!

You really do have to think, if you love the style and you see a great show like Burford’s or Cepeda’s - just imagine, just imagine how thrilling that was in 1867. For the ladies, the style of their dancing and the style of the costumes became so fashionable! It just was part of their world, just as much as getting the latest fabric for their dress, a brand new lace trim, or having their dresses, coats and jackets expertly tailored for them. The ballet of the day made it right into the clothes that people were wearing, and I’m pretty sure you would see lots of ladies rocking a tulle dress! Isn't that inspiring, my darlings! I have to think what their tutus must have looked like. What designs they used for the tutus. I mean, how many feathers? How many layers? They made the performances even more dramatic – they just added to the beautiful dancing! What fabrics they would have used, what the color scheme of those gowns was... you see the thoughtfulness, just as if it were our clothes today!

But what about 1867 and how Marie or Josephine would be dressed for a performance, you say? What does this moment mean for tutus today?

To understand what made Marie Taglioni’s performances so ground-breaking, think of the world just a little before her. They would have danced in dresses which came down to the ankles. Imagine dancing with those long dresses; not graceful at all!

These two were not only fantastic performers, but visionaries! Their movements, how they used their bodies to convey the emotions of a role – those things are so well-remembered for a reason! It was this creative, this artistic and inspirational combination that made them great! This change was not only beautiful but really pushed boundaries. As women they really had to think about what their bodies could do. I’m sure that’s why, from time to time, the ladies in the audience gasped when these ballerina legends leaped on the stage, didn’t they? I’m pretty sure there wasn't one moment that women sat down and went, "Right, that’s it – I have to go and buy that material so I can do something like that at my next dance at home!" There had to be a huge thrill to seeing these tutus with layers of feathers or beads or even just really extravagant ruffles at the stage, don’t you think?

I really am amazed at the tutu history, which comes back to my time, right now in 2023. For instance, back in that 1867 Victorian world of Josephine Burford’s era, just how easy would it have been to learn ballet? Did she have the right teachers for her skills? How did it feel? There would have been big hoop skirts and lots of corsets, I just know it! And, in turn, imagine Josephine being one of the very first dancers in one of the most romantic ballets of that time!

There would have been the same thrill at getting a good tulle fabric as I get at a really great millinery shop. A great shop, darling can sell you all of the best things! For the ballerinas in the corps de ballet, the dancers would all have gone for that “standard” white fabric – that traditional, almost iconic chiffon, don't you think? Because when everyone sees it, it looks truly grand on the stage! I like the image, darling!

Now I’ll tell you, you can definitely be creative about tulle! The history of ballet and tutu fabric has definitely been pushed a lot, you just need to look in the right place, as a fashion-lover! Today we’ve been whisked back to 1867. And let me say again: what an exciting and breath-taking moment in fashion! So what's the magic ingredient, you ask? I don’t know how much they cost in those times but let me tell you, it’s all about quality and precision – for those Victorian ballerinas, to make it perfect for that particular dress would have taken so much time, wouldn’t it? I’d be amazed if one could make something perfectly symmetrical – you know, that fabric will bunch up easily – to get that look perfect with a nice flounce is just amazing! It takes true artistic ability.

I just know that there were lots of girls at this time who would go to dance shows, thinking they would become the next Marie Taglioni – in a perfectly made white tutu! My heart sings with the romance and energy of that idea. You can't help but feel inspired and a bit sentimental for the ladies of the time who loved ballet, right? What will be the next amazing fashion innovation of the ballet world? And when are we going to be seeing it on the stage? And to finish off, you need a certain grace to carry a tulle tutu with such delicacy and artistry on the stage. Just picture a whole row of girls with this type of skirt on! I’d be in heaven watching them move to the music, would you not, darlings? There’s that *dreamy feeling about the world of tutus!

Don’t you think all ladies deserve the right to choose whether they can go and put on a tulle and feather and just do something spectacular in that dress? For some reason this feeling takes me straight to Josephine Burford – imagine her feeling the tulle skirt swoosh and flow as she twirls on stage! My heart beats faster at the thought of that grace, movement, and style. Don’t forget this is why #TutuTuesday exists – we're all on the journey together – it’s about feeling fantastic about you and about living the best, and most elegant, life! I’m pretty sure Josephine would have told her fans and other ballet girls to go out and have fun! And remember, my darlings, when you’re dancing in a pink tutu you never have a bad day! It just lifts you!

Well, I’ve rambled on enough for now. What do you love the most about tutu history?

Don’t forget – let me know, and follow me on www.pink-tutu.com for more #TutuTuesday, every Tuesday! Remember, you’re all wonderful in your pink tutus, darling! I hope you feel glamorous today, and be sure to wear your tutu! Until next Tuesday – Happy twirling, darlings!

Your Emma