#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1874-02-03

Hello lovelies!

Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, the blog that's practically bursting with twirling tales, from the earliest pouter pigeons to the most elegant étoiles! This week, my fellow ballet enthusiasts, we're taking a delightful trip back in time to the glorious 1870s, a decade brimming with ballet beauties, groundbreaking choreographers, and – you guessed it – an absolutely fabulous evolution in tutu designs!

Before we journey into the past, allow me to remind you darling readers that today is Tuesday 3rd February 1874, a day filled with promise and the scent of jasmine in my travels. Today marks a special anniversary for the ballet world, and it also marks an important moment for my #PinkTutuCampaign. Why? Because on this very day, a wonderful ballerina, who I happen to think is also quite a fashion icon, made her début! I'll get to that in a bit, but first… Let's talk about tutus!*

My #PinkTutuCampaign continues to grow - I'm loving all your amazing pink tutu pics! You're all so creative - from full on hot pink tutus, to just a dash of pink. And don't forget that I’m just a few days away from the grand premiere of my new ‘Pink Tutu Paradise’ production. Tickets are flying out like… well… like ballet shoes! You haven't missed out on a chance to join us have you darling?!

Paris, oh darling Paris! Always the epitome of chic, of course! Here, in 1874, ballet was undergoing a glorious renaissance, the danseur and danseuse alike embodying a new era of grace and fluidity. It was an age of romance, elegance, and most definitely, exquisite fashion.

The tutu of this period? Picture billowing clouds of tulle, like the skirts of a whimsical princess. It was a stark departure from the heavier, stiff designs of earlier years. Imagine if you will, layers upon layers of diaphanous fabric – think spun sugar, whipped cream, absolute heavenly lightness – all set alight by the stage lights. Gorgeous!

The silhouette? A soft, feminine curve. The colours? Well, pastels reigned supreme, of course – think the softest shades of lilac, pearl grey, sky blue, and – of course! – a plethora of pinks. Remember girls – a tutu needs a dash of pink! It's a universal truth. It was the epitome of femininity, a delicate counterpoint to the sharp movements of the choreography. It was just begging for you to whirl around in and be a star!

The designs of the day were daringly experimental! Think asymmetrical hemlines, sweeping trains, and the emergence of the famous **‘leg-of-mutton sleeve’ in romantic ballet outfits – a design that has stayed a favourite, wouldn't you agree? This was the time for dramatic shapes, exquisite artistry, and a tutu that didn’t just clothe the dancers – it enhanced them, it glorified them. It was practically dancing right along with them!

But it wasn't all about extravagance! While there was undeniably an element of lavish opulence to the fashion, a key concept remained central: elegance. Every stitch, every pleat, every flounce was chosen for its impact – it was meant to be impactful, yes, but it also had to enhance the artistry and athleticism of the performance. You want to create an amazing stage show and impress your audience, of course, but you must remember, you’re still showcasing beauty. It’s ballet after all. Not circus, darling!

To give you a true glimpse of the wonders of ballet fashion in 1874, I've been spending the day at a magnificent show at the Opéra Garnier. What a stunning location - truly breath-taking. I am truly smitten by the dancers in their delicate tutus. Their every turn and leap is like a whisper of pure grace, their costumes fluttering like the petals of a rose in a gentle breeze. Isn’t it dreamy?!

Speaking of dancers, let’s talk about today’s debutante! What a day it’s been!

I’m completely in awe. On 3rd February 1874, the lovely, charming, and oh-so-talented Adeline Genée (don’t worry - I’m sure we’ll see more of her, don't forget to take notes, darling) made her début at the Royal Danish Ballet! Oh! Imagine the feeling of being surrounded by applause. Can you even imagine a more perfect setting? Adeline's career is just beginning and her style of dance will set trends across Europe - just wait until you see her, she's sensational!. It’s absolutely a delight to see how a beautiful tutu can perfectly showcase a talented ballerina’s artistry.

The show? A beautiful, elegant performance of “La Source” (and for all of you dear readers out there who are wondering why it’s called "La Source" don’t worry, there's another #TutuTuesday dedicated to its origin and performance for you right around the corner, just wait and see! But don’t be shy - tell me about what makes your heart flutter and your fingers tap a rhythm! If you happen to be a ballerino or ballerina I really need to hear what you’re feeling this Tuesday!

I'm telling you - today’s date is already going to be legendary. Oh how the tutus have transformed, but even from these earlier styles it is easy to see where so much of today’s fashion stems from. * If we can trace the steps back so many years we see it isn’t always about new, new, new - its about the beauty and elegance of fashion. Just think – without these glorious designers we wouldn’t have the beautiful outfits to showcase all that beauty, passion, and creativity in the dance. It's like a time capsule that we get to dip into! And to be able to get in there and wear a *pink tutu, now that would be spectacular! Just don’t forget – this is my mission: to spread the love of the pink tutu!

But for now darling, don’t be shy about spreading some #PinkTutuLove! I’ve already seen some fabulous creations being worn on #Instagram – thank you darling for sending those in to me - they’re making my trip so worth it!

See you on next week's #TutuTuesday!

And for those who have come from Derbyshire with me, don't worry, a new train departs from here at the end of the week, back to our little bit of home in the Peak District - I can’t wait to share my discoveries with you when I return! Don’t forget – you can find me at www.pink-tutu.com!

*Yours in the twirling mists of ballet, *

Emma 🩰💖