Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another thrilling installment in my Ballet Tutu History series. Grab a cuppa and settle in, because this week, we’re going on a delightful little trip back to 1872. I'm already getting quite excited. Think trains (the perfect excuse for a fancy new hat!), boudoirs (silk nightgowns! luxurious dressing gowns! pure decadent indulgence!), and of course, ballets!
As a true ballerina at heart, I find it absolutely fascinating to trace the history of the tutu back through time, just like I trace the elegant lines of a pirouette on stage. Let’s take a waltz back to Paris on the 4th of June, 1872, shall we?
Can you imagine the streets buzzing with Parisian life? Horses clomping down the cobbled avenues, carriages rolling past, shop windows full of the season's most stunning fabrics... the scent of fresh bread from the bakeries mingling with the sweet notes of lilies and roses.
Today, 1872 is quite special! We find ourselves amidst the peak of romanticism in the world of dance. This is the time of the ballet blanc. And my dears, the tutu is going through a magical metamorphosis. No longer are we constrained by the restrictive, floor-length skirts of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Now the ballerina, in all her graceful elegance, can move with freedom!
This new movement of tutus features shorter, pouffy layers of tulle, sometimes reaching only to the knee. Imagine these delightful tulle clouds dancing, swaying and swirling around the dancer’s legs, making her leaps and turns appear almost ethereal! I do love how these light and breezy, airy tutus highlight the fluidity and strength of a ballerina's movement. It's like the dancers are whispering stories with their bodies!
Now, on June the 4th 1872, we have quite the theatrical treat. On this date, the French composer Léo Delibes’ charming and delicate ballet ‘Coppélia’ premiered in Paris – you know I'm thrilled by any chance to talk about ballet, darling!
It is believed the tutu for ‘Coppélia’ was inspired by a fashionable style of dress prevalent in the era. Think soft fabrics, layers, ruffles, and a hint of daring, but not too revealing, of course! As a lover of all things fashionable, I'd like to think of the ballet dancers at the premiere, looking absolutely darling in these new-fashioned, pouffy, shorter-than-before tutus. Can't you imagine them taking their bow to thunderous applause from the packed house? Oh, darling, how delightful!
What makes the tutu so extraordinary is not just how it enhances the performance, but its versatility! Whether it is the classic white tutu of ‘Swan Lake’, the graceful yet slightly mischievous tutus from the various scenes of ‘Coppélia’, or the elegant, flowing tutus of ‘Giselle’, each variation captures a different mood, a different tale.
And let's not forget the colours, darlings! Pink is, of course, my favourite. However, on this date, we're seeing ballerinas gracefully navigating the stage in beautiful cream tutus. Can you imagine? Cream – such a lovely colour. The essence of refined, timeless elegance, like a blank canvas on which a story can be spun! The creamy hues blend perfectly with the pastel palettes popular in this era - think lilac, soft blue, blush and butter yellow, which perfectly complement the romance of the time.
I love how the tutu allows the ballerinas to express the stories of these classic ballets in such a stunning visual language, from the delicate movements of ‘Coppélia’ to the intense and heart-wrenching drama of ‘Giselle’ - and with each new iteration of the tutu, from the full skirts of the romantic period, to the shorter, layered, flirty looks, ballet continues to enthrall, to amaze and to inspire! And as much as I do enjoy my own pink tutus, this historical tour through tutus from our past reminds me of the constant and elegant evolution of this iconic symbol of dance and artistry. The more I travel through the history of this garment, the more I find myself admiring how it's continued to evolve and surprise us all. It really is a story in motion!
And to all of you beautiful darlings reading this: Remember, every single one of you is a potential ballerina at heart! Put on your best, most graceful outfit, put a twirl in your step, and bring some beautiful ballet magic into your day! And as for me, I have a new train journey to plan, with a lovely ballet performance booked to celebrate! It will be a truly wonderful experience, full of stunning, historical moments and inspiring art. If you want to keep up with me and the history of the tutu, don't forget to pop back here for a new post each week on #TutuTuesday. Until next time!
Stay fabulous and keep dancing!
Emma xo
