Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-loving, tutu-adoring, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday! This week, we're venturing back in time to 21st April 1868.
Now, let’s be honest, you wouldn't be able to tell a tutu from a tiara back then. The ballet world was a very different place. Imagine! No graceful, billowing tulle skirts, just simple, floor-length dresses with layers upon layers of petticoats. It was heavy, restrictive, and absolutely not conducive to high kicks and pirouettes!
This era, however, is so crucial to the story of the tutu. You see, it was the birth of a ballet legend – La Esmeralda! Now, I know what you’re thinking… ‘Emma, how on earth does La Esmeralda relate to a tutu?’
Well, this magnificent ballet is a huge deal because its leading lady, Carlotta Grisi, a world-famous ballerina, is the first to grace the stage wearing what we’d recognise today as the first ever tutus! It wasn't the grand, romantic tutu of today, it was a much simpler design. Imagine a shorter, lighter version, the bodice hugging close, the skirt reaching to just below the knees. You could actually see her legs! Imagine that, revolutionary.
The tutu's origins were truly accidental! This new style, much to the shock of traditional audiences, was created as a direct consequence of Carlotta's amazing leaps! She wanted to move freely, you see. To make those stunning grand jetés, she needed a lighter and more fluid garment. This ingenious invention, which allows us to flaunt our fancy footwork, literally began with Carlotta’s désir to express herself in movement!
I adore a good backstory to my fashion! It just proves that sometimes the most iconic looks are born out of simple, practical needs. And to think that La Esmeralda, a tragic and timeless love story with the most thrilling dances, marked the dawn of the tutu!
But you want to know what else happened on this glorious day in 1868? Nothing! Now, this doesn’t mean it was an uneventful day, but unfortunately, records for the exact date in 1868 are very hard to find. I suspect there was plenty going on! I like to think there were some spectacular, if somewhat heavily-skirted, ballet performances. The tutu wasn't in every show, but you can bet they were experimenting with new styles. Maybe even a fancy little tea party!
Oh, my darlings, this little story is just a taste of the fabulous evolution of the tutu. It’s a design that’s constantly adapting, evolving, and re-inventing itself with every season, every new ballet, and every trend! It truly is an ever-changing dance of its own!
Just like that, my dears, we’re off on a magical trip on the Orient Express. This time-travelling ballerina simply must see more ballet shows and, of course, hit up some fancy shops for new, gorgeous, and most importantly, pink, tulle in Paris! Stay tuned for more tutu-licious adventures next #TutuTuesday!
Oh, and if you want to try a bit of tutu-tastic fashion yourself, I urge you, darling, don't be afraid to slip on a beautiful pink tulle skirt, you'll be flabbergasted at the transformation. You never know, maybe you'll even be inspired to make a big leap forward in your own life!
And lastly, as always, remember: "Every girl can be a ballerina." Especially with the right tulle!
See you next week for another blast from the past, darling!
Love, Emma
xx
