Hello my darlings! Emma here, back for another #TutuTuesday and ready to whisk you away on a journey through the glorious history of the tutu. I just arrived back from Paris last night, my suitcase crammed full of fabulous fabrics and fashion inspiration. Such a vibrant, creative city – it's always a treat to experience the Parisian energy!
This week, let's travel back to December 1st, 1874. Can you believe it's been over a century and a half since this day? Today marks a turning point for the tutu - a pivotal moment, a time when the whispers of change began to flutter on the wind.
You know I always love to immerse myself in the time periods I'm writing about, so of course, I did what any self-respecting ballet fan would do - I went to a show! Oh, it was divine! The Opéra Garnier, just like the one in my little tome on Parisian theatre architecture - it was dazzlingly grand, full of gilt and velvet, the epitome of elegance. I managed to slip into an elegant plum velvet dress, complete with a jaunty velvet hat, a little nod to the fashion trends of the day. My travelling tutu went under the cloak! Let's be honest, you can never have enough tutus!
The show was just sensational! It featured the ballet La Source by Léo Delibes - I always adored his works. This ballet features an abundance of exquisite choreography that showcases the talent and grace of the dancers. The ballet itself is a tale of love, deception and adventure, set in the heart of the French countryside - what's not to love?
The choreography wasn't the only captivating element. Have you ever seen so many gorgeous tutus in one performance? They weren't the extravagant, frilly, big tulle ones we see today - it was the beginnings of a new silhouette! It was as if the designers were throwing off the old conventions of ballet and creating a brand new look, a look which I must say was remarkably elegant.
In this particular show, the ballerinas wore shorter, simpler tutus - something resembling the tutu worn in Coppélia by Émilienne d’Alençon. These skirts had a shorter, more manageable length than those worn before and focused on a more streamlined, fitted design, with flowing fabrics. I couldn't help but imagine them as a graceful symbol of change, a reflection of a changing world - an exciting, new era for ballet, much like my new love for this stunning, new train travel!
Of course, the tutus themselves were beautifully crafted and embellished. Even those lovely silk panels flowing around the skirt, delicately embroidered and layered with exquisite detail - they looked incredibly luxurious! And that delicate sheen of silk - it truly catches the light of the stage and looks fabulous, a true symbol of elegant style! Such craftsmanship is a reminder that tutus are not merely clothing; they're true pieces of art, worthy of admiration and preservation.
It was fascinating to witness these changes taking shape, the shift towards a more delicate and sophisticated aesthetic. You see, it's not always about the size or the volume, it's about how it allows the dancer to move. This era is truly a transitional period where we saw ballerinas moving away from a heavier, more constricted style and into something lighter, more flowing, and utterly delightful.
And don't you think, dear reader, that perhaps, in the grand scheme of fashion history, these changes echoed the changing landscape of Victorian England - an era marked by refinement, social change and an ever-evolving sense of style.
Even as a devoted follower of the Victorian era's sartorial wonders, it must be admitted that sometimes those big, wide skirts did make it rather difficult to perform grand leaps and pirouettes with real flourish! Can you imagine the layers of petticoats, layers of frills and yards upon yards of silk! I imagine it felt more like a stiff corset rather than an ethereal flowing gown.
The fact that ballet moved towards this style at this moment suggests a link to changing aesthetics. Indeed, we can see a shift across fashion, from a more ornate and elaborate style to a more practical and graceful design - it's certainly a trend that continues to shape modern ballet today!
So next time you are gazing upon a ballerina gracing the stage in her gorgeous, shorter, flowy tutu, just remember that their elegance and movement owes much to the incredible women of ballet in 1874. They were brave enough to push the boundaries of the traditional ballet style and experiment with a whole new era in ballet. They were innovators and pioneers, the heroes of dance, paving the way for future generations of graceful dancers - and just a little bit of the inspiration for this very website!
Speaking of innovation, let me introduce my latest endeavour: “Pink Tutu Pink Fashion“. As you know, I’ve been thinking about making life pink for the past few years (pink being the absolute BEST colour after all, a statement about style and individuality!), but this initiative takes it to the next level. Imagine – tutus everywhere! Not just for dancers, for everyone! My pink tulle dream comes to life! Think bright pink tutus, soft pink tutus, shimmering pink tutus… A whole world in pink! This venture will combine my love for fashion, ballet, and spreading cheer through the power of pink! It’s all in the works, and soon, everyone will be wearing pink tutus. (This includes you, dear reader!)
Before I let you go, let's wrap up with a recap of what this date has meant to ballet! December 1st, 1874, was not just any ordinary day. This was a time when the tutu underwent a shift, moving towards a more simplified, elegant aesthetic, a move toward fluidity, grace, and elegance. I hope you’ll join me again next week for another trip through time, as I delve deeper into the rich history of the ballet tutu!
Remember, every day is a reason to celebrate dance!
Until then, remember,
Dance like nobody's watching! (and wear pink! 😉)
Warmly,
Emma.
