#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1874-11-10

Hello, my darling Tutu Tribe! It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another blast from the past on our journey through ballet history, all brought to you by your very own pink-loving time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma! 💖

I've been dreaming of tutus ever since I was a little girl in Derbyshire. Every Friday night, my mum and I would pile into the family carriage, bundled up in our warmest coats, and make our way to the Derby Theatre for a magical evening of ballet. The wonder of the dancing, the beauty of the costumes, the swirling layers of tulle – it simply filled my heart with joy. I even began making my own little tutus, crafting them from scraps of fabric and bits of ribbon, which were far too small but every bit as full of sparkle and joy.

This week, I’ve transported myself to the heart of ballet, to the glorious city of Paris, where I’m taking in the elegance and grandeur of the Opéra Garnier! 🗼 This magnificent theatre is a haven of swirling, ethereal tulle, perfect for inspiring a little #TutuTuesday, wouldn’t you agree?

Speaking of inspiration, it’s here at the Paris Opéra that our #TutuTuesday story begins… for today's date, 10th November, 1874, marks the unveiling of Giselle, a revolutionary new ballet that is still inspiring audiences today.

Giselle was created by a fascinating man named Jean Coralli – his life was filled with such wonderful tales, I simply must tell you more. This enchanting ballet has a plot full of enchantment and romantic longing, following a young peasant girl named Giselle who tragically falls in love with a prince disguised as a peasant. It was a dance story that was ahead of its time. Imagine - romance in the 1800s! How revolutionary.

But more importantly, Giselle broke the mould by introducing new concepts in the tutu! Until this point, ballet costumes tended to be heavy, flowing gowns that often hindered movement. The ballet's first choreographer Jules Perrot understood the need for new design in ballet, and it was this innovation that shaped ballet design in the 19th century! Imagine being able to move! And move gracefully! How amazing. Perrot came up with the idea of the Romantic Tutu, featuring a skirt made of many layers of tulle, shorter and less restrictive than previous designs, allowing the dancers to move freely and even skip gracefully across the stage, like birds on the breeze. How delightful!

For a dancer like myself, it’s the freedom of movement that draws me in. I love the sheer layers of tulle, flowing and shimmering, that are simply so graceful. Can’t you imagine how elegant and captivating it must have been, for dancers to suddenly be able to skip with the airy lightness of a ballerina? It simply must have been enchanting to watch.

The beauty of the Romantic Tutu is it celebrates not only freedom of movement, but also beauty in the female form. It's like a floating cloud, so delicate and charming - oh, to twirl in such a fabulous garment, isn't it simply dreamy?

You see, dear friends, Giselle is more than just a beautiful ballet; it is a turning point in the history of costume design for dance, creating the beautiful Romantic Tutu we see in so many classic performances even today! It’s this graceful elegance that truly gives the word 'ballerina' its sense of wonder, its essence of movement and charm. I’m thrilled to see that this elegant creation is still worn with grace and dignity, as its iconic beauty inspires dancers and audiences throughout the world.

Imagine! My Parisian adventures today are all thanks to a captivating performance by our famous Parisian ballet company. I simply love strolling through the French capital. Such a beautiful, vibrant, chic city! Imagine - having ballet to bring such elegance and creativity! And my wardrobe, my love! The fabrics, the designs! 🛍️

Every day is a dream! Shopping in Paris is a must, even when on a #TutuTuesday Time Travel mission, which is why, every Tuesday, I treat myself to the finest fabrics in the world to be transformed into the perfect #TutuTuesday design, fit for my own performances and inspired by ballet history! It’s my own personal ode to the legacy of ballet's costumes, in my favourite colour, pink, of course!

I know, I know… it’s certainly a little quirky, time-travelling and inspiring ballet lovers everywhere to wear pink tutus. But you know, what’s more enchanting than dancing with grace and passion, embracing every movement of beauty and elegance, whilst wearing a swirling symphony of pink tulle? Perhaps I just need to add a few more layers. Or maybe a pair of pointe shoes. Hmm…. 🤔

Stay tuned for more of our #TutuTuesday blog post every week, and don’t forget to spread the joy! After all, who doesn’t love a twirling, sparkling pink tutu? Let's bring a little bit of ballet magic into the world, shall we? ✨

See you next Tuesday! 💕 🩰 Emma