Bonjour mes amies!
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we celebrate the wonderful world of ballet, tutus, and all things pretty! Today, for #TutuTuesday, we're travelling back in time to 1868, a year of innovation, elegance, and of course, breathtaking ballet. Grab your teacups, darlings, as we explore the history of tutus!
It's hard to imagine a ballet performance without a tutu, isn't it? They are just so... tutu-ally fabulous! But these graceful, flowing garments weren't always a staple of the stage. As your very own time-travelling, pink tutu-wearing history buff, let me take you on a journey through time to discover their enchanting origins.
I recently arrived back from a whirl around Europe by train – the compartments were lovely! And the food at the railway buffet was so sophisticated! And in between my travels and performances, of course, I love popping into charming boutiques to check out the latest trends – such delightful frocks, gloves, and hats! The whole experience has truly filled me with inspiration!
Speaking of inspiration, back in the 1800s, it was all about Marie Taglioni! Imagine a petite ballerina, light as a feather, dancing with incredible grace, almost seemingly floating across the stage – that was Marie Taglioni! In 1832, she stole the show with a breathtaking performance in a revolutionary new style called La Sylphide! This innovative piece, set in the mystical highlands of Scotland, saw Marie perform in an ethereal white tunic with soft, layered, frilled fabric that flowed beautifully. This iconic moment marked the birth of the tutu!
Before La Sylphide, ballerinas typically danced in heavy, floor-length gowns that concealed their delicate movements. However, Taglioni's performance unveiled a vision of movement. No longer would ballerinas be trapped by bulky garments. The tutu liberated their legs, allowing their every arabesque and grand jeté to soar freely, enchanting audiences around the world. It truly changed everything!
This new, streamlined design offered a fresh vision for the stage. The shorter skirts, reaching only just above the knee, not only showcased the intricate choreography but also brought focus to the ballerina's beautifully honed, graceful, legs, their tour of force, and created an elegant silhouette against the stage backdrop! I just can't imagine how we danced before tutus, really! The evolution of ballet costume really did take a massive leap forward!
Although I confess, my favourite shade is always going to be pink (my tutu is the most beautiful shade of blush pink – I simply must share a photo of it!), I love how tutus come in all kinds of colours – pastel blue and ivory for a romantic ballets, deep green for woodland fairy tales – the options are truly endless!
Over time, the tutu developed from the soft romantic look into something a bit more structured with the arrival of the Romantic Tutu. The Romantic Tutu boasted stiffer and more dramatic layers, giving it an even grander feel. And imagine - there's nothing grander than a perfect performance on stage with that special romantic feel! Just think of Giselle!
The 1800s truly gave birth to the tutu. Every ballerina worth their salt needed a wardrobe filled with all kinds of designs! These elegant tutus with their soft and graceful silhouettes are a joy to watch – I just love seeing the layers as ballerinas spin and dance. They make everything even more special and exciting to watch.
And this year 1868 – the year of 1st of January, is all about a truly extraordinary ballet that features not one but TWO! incredible tutu designs. Can you believe it! I mean - how amazing are two tutus!
This is the ballet La Esmeralda, which showcases two distinct styles, the Romantic Tutu and the Pagan Tutu.
Think dramatic, rich colours, and flamboyant flair! That's La Esmeralda. Think of red and scarlet hues. Think of a ballerina swirling with such confidence and agility! Think of powerful, yet refined lines! The Romantic Tutu makes the perfect statement piece for those classic grand adagio dances. While the Pagan Tutu, oh the Pagan Tutu – this truly showcases how far the tutu has come, it's like a symbol of strength and empowerment – not just a simple costume. The perfect blend of history and daring artistry, and just perfect for La Esmeralda.
Tutu Tales! What are your thoughts on La Esmeralda and its unique designs, darlings? Have you had a chance to see this beautiful ballet, or better yet, are you one of the talented ballerinas in this extraordinary production? Let me know your favourite things about La Esmeralda in the comments!
So much of what we adore about the tutu comes from the creativity and artistry of the 19th Century. Can you imagine if Marie Taglioni didn't wear that tutu-ally divine costume and instead decided to dance in a gown to the floor?! Well, that's where history has its role! And for this ballet buff – thank goodness that is not how the history books write our stories. Instead, they show how an elegant dance form changed through design! We can dance in a tutu about how great that all is.
But that's it from me, darlings! As the sun sets in Derbyshire, it's time for me to wind down my day – a hot cuppa, a new ballet magazine and some new shoes – all from a perfect day filled with ballet, history and, of course, tutus!
Keep your eyes on Pink-Tutu.com for our next #TutuTuesday adventure, next Tuesday at the same time. In the meantime, happy twirling!
Until next time,
Your time-traveling, pink tutu-loving, blogger,
Emma
