Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to whisk you away on another journey through the history of the most wonderful garment ever invented - the tutu!
This week, we're stepping back to 10th September 1872, and oh my, you wouldn't believe the sparkling fashion trends we're about to uncover!
But first, let's set the scene.
My time machine landed me smack-dab in the middle of Paris, France, the epicentre of ballet and haute couture. The air buzzed with the sound of carriage wheels, and the aroma of fresh pastries tantalized my senses. Oh, how I wished I could just nibble on a delicate macaron while watching the world go by!
But alas, my mission today was more important - to delve into the ballet history of the tutu!
Remember my last post? Where we talked about the romantic tutu with its flowing layers of tulle, like clouds of gossamer dreams? Well, darling, prepare to be amazed. In 1872, something absolutely fabulous was happening - the birth of a new kind of tutu, one that would redefine what ballerinas wore for generations to come.
Now, I know what you're thinking, "How can a tutu possibly be more wonderful?!" But trust me, you haven't seen anything yet.
It was this year, in 1872, that the "Classical Tutu" entered the world, and let me tell you, it was an absolute showstopper. Imagine, if you will, a tutu made of the finest, most delicate layers of tulle, shaped into a perfect cone, fitted around the waist, and flaring out to form a cloud of shimmering elegance. It was shorter, showcasing the ballerinas' shapely legs in a way that simply wasn't possible with the Romantic era tutus. It was daring, it was sleek, it was revolutionary!
Think of Marie Taglioni's iconic "La Sylphide," a tutu that draped and flowed - the Classical tutu was the opposite! Think structured, think precise, think a symphony of perfect form! This new tutu became an iconic symbol of grace, agility, and artistry, highlighting the dancer's every move and allowing for greater flexibility and fluidity.
Honestly, I felt myself slightly disappointed with my fluffy, pink tutu for a moment. I must try one of these elegant, conical wonders!
Now, let's talk about a specific event that happened on this date: September 10th, 1872, a date etched forever in my memory thanks to the power of time travel. That's because I saw one of the most legendary dancers of the age perform. The great Carlotta Grisi graced the stage at the Paris Opera House, in a Classical Tutu, and my dear friends, it was magical. The way she moved in that delicate, layered creation, like a graceful, swirling cloud...it took my breath away. It made me long for the days when people gathered for such theatrical delights!
I can tell you, though, that there wasn't a single "Instagram" back then. Just a bunch of handwritten newspapers filled with gasping reviews. And, I'll tell you this, everyone agreed...this dancer, in that tutu... was perfection.
But of course, what is a new ballet fashion without new outfits to go with it! This period, oh, how gorgeous! There were fantastic long gloves in colours of pink, ivory and blush... perfect for that elegant, high-society feel, right? And then... the pointe shoes. Let's just say that these poised shoes are some of the most amazing and complex shoe designs ever created!
Let's get this right - no, I don't wear pointe shoes for real - those require lots of hard work and ballet classes (and a ballerina doesn't quite fit my travel itinerary, what with the time travel, and the travelling...) But darling, you should see them, the intricacy of their construction. Every single pair of these shoes was hand-made. Oh, how they make me dream of stepping onto the stage!
This is a period when every fashion choice felt studied. Like a portrait from an earlier time, everything was calculated. It is quite unlike how things are today, in this...well, in this day and age (and don't get me started about all the different styles in this one tiny decade!). I like the thought that a century or two ago, everyone could put together their look to make a single, harmonious statement.
This period also brought about another fantastic innovation: the bodice. Gone were the simple, fitted bodices of earlier times. This era introduced ornate, embellished bodices with sequins, beading, and feathers. Think glittering chandeliers and glittering stage gowns. It made each costume a true work of art.
Let's go back to the Classical Tutu... this, ladies, was the birth of a dancewear classic. The simple yet sophisticated design would inspire generations of ballerinas. The Classical Tutu is the backbone of dancewear - it’s iconic, elegant, timeless.
So there you have it! 10th September 1872 - a date that saw the dance world embrace a revolutionary change. The arrival of the Classical Tutu was the start of a new era in ballet fashion - one that, let's be honest, changed things for good!
Well, darlings, time to get my time machine humming! Next week I will bring you back, even further back, to tell you about something truly sparkling from July 1836.
Stay fabulous, darlings, and remember... always embrace your inner ballerina. You never know where the next time-travelling adventure will take you.
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TimeTravel #PinkTutu
