Hiya lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another #TutuTuesday! This week, I'm stepping back in time to a rather romantic period in ballet history: January 14th, 1868. Now, we're talking serious fashion flair, right? Let's take a little journey together, shall we?
As you all know, I'm mad for tutus and always eager to explore the fascinating past of these iconic garments. They're just so pretty, and they allow dancers to soar with such grace and beauty! And guess what, darlings? The 1860s was a pretty special era for tutu evolution.
Let's set the scene, shall we?
Picture this: A beautiful Victorian ballroom in London, ladies swirling around in their flowing gowns, their jewellery gleaming under the chandeliers. But among them, a group of ballerinas, ethereal and enchanting, wearing what would be known as the "Romantic Tutu."
These beauties weren't just gliding around the stage – they were storytellers! This time period was all about expressing dramatic emotions through their dancing. The tutus they wore, with their short, bell-shaped skirts, reflected a lighter, more playful feeling compared to the heavier skirts of earlier years. They were like delicate wings, allowing the dancers to flit and float around, enchanting audiences with their movement.
What did ballerinas wear on 1868.01.14?
Now, you might be wondering about the exact style on this very day. That's the thing, darling, even though we've got records of amazing ballerinas like Fanny Cerrito and Lucille Grahn, who were making history on stage with these Romantic tutus, we don't have detailed daily dress records!
But what I can tell you is that it was a revolutionary time for ballet, and a time of bold innovation in tutu design. You can imagine them dancing on January 14th, 1868, perhaps a bit like the "Fairy of the Roses" by Enrico Cecchetti. He would premiere this ballet about 2 years after this date, you see, so they would be close to this type of tutu shape with long tulle layers creating an effect of roses.
These lovely ladies had some major inspiration for their tutus: you guessed it – Fashion!
Oh my, what lovely inspiration
Think dresses with lots of layers of ruffles, soft materials like tulle, pastel hues like pinks and blues – the Romantics loved their romantic shades! And just as importantly, there were intricate designs that were a complete delight to the eye. It wasn't just about how it looked on the body but also about its overall aesthetic!
They made sure that each fold, ruffle, and drape of fabric on their tutus flowed effortlessly with every movement – adding an air of magical elegance that really captivated the audience! The aim of the game? It wasn't about hiding the body; it was about elevating the ballerina's beauty, making her seem almost like a dream, a being from another realm.
And it was a real turning point for how the design of ballet clothing moved into the future. This is why these early romantic era ballerinas like Fanny Cerrito, who died 20 years before this date, are remembered in ballet history as so significant, along with later dancers like Carlotta Grisi! Their moves inspired new ways to move! So what does this have to do with me, you might be asking? Well, this era is when the short and fluffy ballet tutu form truly begins, and this era continues for around 20 years as a form.
It was pretty fab!
You're looking at the very form I wear every week. When I hop on the train and come here for the London shows to visit, you can often see my pink tutus getting lots of admirers in the seats - even from the fellas. Sometimes I even give dance lessons here for children to learn all the new ways that dancers can move! But in the late 1800s, their steps were moving forward so that by 1880s the classical tutu became more popular – a longer form - much more fitting to what dancers wear now, that tight, swish tutu design.
The next 1880s tutus became shorter with some added decorations to really allow dancers to leap and whirl in a much faster way with less material restricting their moves. For those who really enjoyed it in the early days – you have these beautiful 1860s to thank for how modern dancers get to show off! I, of course, am very glad!
More of the Pink-Tutu.com magic!
I'm always eager to hear what you think! So drop a comment and tell me all about your favourite ballerina and your most memorable performance! Until next #TutuTuesday, darling! Keep those tutus twirling! 💖
P.S. Don't forget, my website is full of ballet fashion tips, historic details and stunning tutu pictures – so come back anytime you like for more fun and a pinktastic dose of tutu inspiration!
