#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1871-10-10

10th October 1871 - A Peek Behind the Curtain of Ballet's Evolution!

Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday post for your enjoyment! I'm back from a whirlwind trip to Paris, a place that never fails to make my heart skip a beat with its Parisian charm. Not only was it an absolute joy to wear a pink tutu as I wandered through the Tuileries Gardens, but I also found myself swept up in the world of haute couture and exquisite ballet.

As you know, dear readers, my passion lies with the delicate and elegant history of the ballet tutu. This week, we journey back to 1871, to a period brimming with artistic energy and a certain "je ne sais quoi" that captivated the world.

Today, 10th October, 1871, the Romantic era of ballet is in full bloom, having bloomed and bloomed. Imagine: ballerinas floating across the stage in shimmering, white tulle, their ethereal movement representing an almost dreamlike, romantic ideal! This style of ballet, known as the Romantic ballet, is what propelled the tutus to the center stage - not only literally, but figuratively as well!

Now, darling readers, you must understand, in 1871, the tutu was quite the departure from earlier ballet attire. It was more flowing, longer, and far less structured than what you'd see in classical ballets today. The dancers were wearing what we'd consider today "romantique tutus", designed to convey a feeling of effortless grace and airiness, as if their movement was an embodiment of nature’s flow and the lightness of birds in flight.

The inspiration? A symphony of movement and beauty inspired by the works of the romantic poets and painters of the era. They embodied a yearning for the mystical, the poetic, and a touch of magic - all seamlessly intertwined with graceful leaps and stunning pirouettes!

Think of it this way, darling, the romantic ballet and its tutus, they weren’t just a performance; they were an expression, an emotional voyage, and a way to escape the everyday for an evening! This wasn't simply a dance, this was storytelling through the medium of body and graceful movements, evoking feelings of ethereal and romantic delight!

Fashion Notes: You won't find a single ballet school, academy, or opera house that doesn't use tulle for their tutus! Its lightweight, sheer quality makes it an indispensable ingredient for achieving that effortless, airy look, right? Think about it! You're in the theatre, watching the ballerinas, and suddenly, there they are - shimmering and weightless, the spotlight highlighting the beautiful, soft folds of tulle as they glide across the stage! Now, this is what I'm talking about.

This is precisely why tulle reigns supreme in ballet's fashion scene. This wonderful fabric has been with us, darling readers, from the time of romantic ballets all the way through modern contemporary pieces!

Today, I've witnessed the magic of the Parisian ballet and fashion scenes intertwining more intimately than ever. From the stunning couture gowns gracing the avenues of Paris to the ethereal tutus, there is an air of enchantment and beauty around every corner.

And guess what? The world of Parisian ballet fashion is about to see a big shift. I am hearing rumours of something new, a change in the way ballerinas dress for performances. It appears the design of tutus is evolving into a lighter, shorter style. And the new look will highlight a ballet dancer’s leg line to give the impression of effortless elegance. This new look promises to make every pirouette even more eye-catching. I can’t wait to see it!

Speaking of new trends, have you seen the new street fashion, darling? It is as exciting as a ballerina's grand finale. There’s an eclectic mix of styles inspired by dance and theatre and oh, my! Paris is buzzing with these modern fashion trends. From ruffled skirts and daring cuts to the sparkling elegance of the "danseur" style, every street corner feels like a ballet studio ready to come alive.

Paris' Grand Opera House, a building steeped in history, is an architectural masterpiece! Its opulent beauty draws visitors from all over the globe! As I walk along the Grand Opera's marble steps, I'm transported back to the golden age of ballet, to the era of elegant performances. I can almost hear the music swelling through its grand hallways, and, my dears, what a ballet I saw there tonight! An evening to remember! Every dancer, every gesture, every expression, the spectacle of it all… the music, the drama, the emotion, so moving, so exhilarating!

There's something quite magical about watching a ballet, the story comes to life before your eyes in a flurry of movement and grace. This evening I was struck by the passion and commitment of each and every dancer - it was mesmerizing, and every little girl's dream. It reminds me why I'm here, travelling through time, searching for the stories and the origins of our favourite, lovely, pink ballet tutus!

As you can see, my travels to Paris haven’t just been about catching the latest ballet trends; I'm also a devoted ballet performance enthusiast, and this trip wouldn't be complete without immersing myself in the grand opera tradition!

I can't wait to see your photos, darling readers.

Until next Tuesday, stay glamorous,

Emma xo