Bonjour, mes chéries! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday dive into the fascinating history of our beloved garment!
I'm just back from a delightful whirlwind trip through time, hopping on the train in Paris (the French do love a good train journey!) to check out the ballet scene on this day back in 1870. Can you believe it was almost 150 years ago?!
The world was quite different back then, of course, but one thing was already abundantly clear: ballet, and our much-loved tutus, were already captivating audiences across the globe. It was truly a magical journey!
Back in time - a day in 1870
Stepping onto the cobbled streets of Paris, the city was alive with bustling energy. It was a Monday, so I knew a quick stroll by the opera house would bring me some glimpse of a ballet performance!
But today, I didn't just get to experience the magic of ballet. I got to discover a truly important landmark in tutu history! It's quite ironic, really: my pink tutu makes a grand entrance right around the time the crinoline is on its way out!
That’s right, darlings. Today, we're talking the decline of the crinoline! For the ladies, it might be a relief to know those enormous skirts are gradually going out of style. (Although I’ll be the first to admit, the crinoline was a fabulous statement, I mean, a serious amount of fabric!)
It was hard to imagine those large hoops of crinoline tucked under a ballet tutu! Even a ballerina, I realized, has her limits, especially with such dramatic choreography to accomplish. This new era meant a more elegant and less bulky way for ballerinas to showcase their talents and artistry. And with the new movement toward tutus with lighter fabrics and designs, this is precisely what happened!
But hold onto your dancing shoes, ladies, this isn't a story about how the tutu rose to immediate stardom! Today’s tutus wouldn’t take centre stage quite yet - instead, ballet saw a flourishing of styles, from long skirts and voluminous drapes to increasingly lightweight creations that were ready for a burst onto the dance floor. It's safe to say, there was a lot of experimenting going on in the world of ballet costumes at this time.
The Art of Elegance and Movement
I saw the performance by one of the ballet stars of the day: the amazing Eugénie Fiocre! She danced a graceful piece showcasing those new styles that highlighted lightness and agility - much closer to what we see today! There was more flow in the skirts and it was breathtaking to see the focus on beautiful movement.
Now, let’s get real, darling, the 1870s were not all about tutus. Ballet in this period featured everything from Greek-inspired garments with a strong focus on classic beauty and the drama of history, to something truly special - the debut of pointe shoes! Can you believe it?!
Yes, ladies, our pointes began their ascent to stardom right around this time. It was, dare I say, revolutionary. Imagine! I can't even fathom dancing ballet without my pointes!
Just picture these new ballet shoes – petite, pointed toes with ribbons and elastic straps, giving ballerinas incredible grace and agility, a revolutionary transformation that opened up an entirely new dimension of dance. They transformed the ballet stage! You just had to see the expressions on those faces in the audience – it was sheer delight and amazement!
From Derbyshire to the Dance Floor
And for my fellow Derbyshire darlings! You won't believe this – this era saw some of the most exquisite ballerina footwear begin their rise in London! Some of those early pointe shoes? Designed in our very own London!
My mind is absolutely boggled by this time! A new era, filled with lighter skirts and shoes that could achieve such height and beauty. It was the beginning of our beloved ballet as we know it! What an absolutely fabulous discovery to take home from my time travel adventures this week.
Until next time, darlings, and please don't forget: life is always more exciting in a pink tutu!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
