Hey darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-obsessed time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday blog post! This week we’re travelling all the way back to December 29th, 1874, a truly momentous date in ballet history (as if any day wasn’t momentous, am I right?)!
But first, let’s address the elephant in the tutu (no pun intended, haha!): how am I managing these time-hopping escapades? Well, let’s just say I’ve got a secret. But the clue is in the blog! It involves a certain love of dance, beautiful costumes, and the joy of travel... (Let's just say I’m one very well-rehearsed ballerina.) ✨
Now, back to the history bit! As you might know, the tutu is the centrepiece of any true ballet performance. It's all about grace and movement and it’s the ultimate symbol of this most captivating of art forms! (No judgement, but even my Derbyshire Granny agrees it's "absolutely fabulous!" 🤣)
So, on this day in 1874, the Paris Opera Ballet was captivating audiences with their spectacular performances! While the famous tutus we know and love had their roots a few decades prior (thanks to Marie Taglioni, who really revolutionised dance attire!) the ballet world was busy pushing those boundaries and embracing a more ethereal and delicate style.
Imagine this: delicate, shimmering fabrics and those oh-so-pleasing ruffled layers… it's pure Parisian fairytale chic, my dears! This is the era of ballerinas truly being ‘on pointe’ with the slightest hints of drama in their movements, the elegance, the graceful steps. You wouldn't be wrong to think about The Sleeping Beauty when I say the tutu was taking centre stage with that particular dance's debut at the Mariinsky Theatre, in St. Petersburg just five years prior, which everyone in the Paris ballet scene was totally in awe of.
(I was absolutely gagging to try out one of the gorgeous creations they were using at the Mariinsky at that time! My diary has an entire entry on my dreams about sparkly fabrics and tulle... Okay, maybe it's a bit over-the-top… )
Here’s something for you to consider: While today the ballet world embraces every body type and has become wonderfully inclusive (which I absolutely LOVE!) things weren't so open back in 1874! I mean, it’s pretty incredible how times have changed. But it's also the reason we are seeing those magnificent revolutionary moves.
Back in 1874, ballet was a bit of a ‘by-the-book’ sort of affair! Not necessarily ‘stuffy’, but it's not like now when you get every single expression, which is actually amazing when you see someone really putting it all out there! But here's a fun fact: There are actual drawings and descriptions in various journals from this very time and let's just say, even though those ladies had certain body types back in the day, you can really feel that elegant beauty coming off the page! And it gives me an extra appreciation of all the modern ballerinas and choreographers today. The creativity never ends!
The dance world in 1874 was also incredibly focused on Paris and the Opéra. You can even find this type of influence in the style of dress on the streets! Everyone had a penchant for the lavish, yet graceful. (Remember how much I LOVE that look, and the train journeys around those amazing buildings?)
Speaking of travel… This period in time saw train travel becoming truly widespread. You know how much I LOVE trains (and tutus of course!) They are just SO glamorous, don’t you think? Just picture those plush compartments, elegant gentlemen, ladies with hats, and yes! The oh-so-romantic carriage journeys. It really brings ballet history to life - like a moving picture - just waiting to happen! And remember those intricate designs on carriages... pure art in itself! It definitely fuelled the world of ballet with fashion inspiration.
But, I gotta tell you… for all that ballet-inspired Parisian style, one thing was definitely missing… PINK! 🩰 💖
The Paris scene, just as in 1874, has a slight penchant for neutrals and black, but when you think of what we consider romantic, feminine beauty what is it but pastel pink!
The reason it hasn't really exploded in fashion before the mid-1950s is fascinating to me because you know that glorious shade is all about the magic, whimsy, and fairy-tale dreams we love about ballet! Pink tutus could have been totally things earlier in the past. They certainly are in the present. Maybe that's the secret ingredient that was needed all those years back…
But hey! No matter where the future takes us - from Parisian opera houses to the modern world - let's continue to celebrate the wonderful ballet-tutu-wearing ladies! Be bold and let your inner ballerina shine, even if that means rocking a pink tutu around town! (Remember my motto, “You can never go wrong with a pink tutu!” ) I’m off to prepare my next very special ballet-inspired outfit (with just the right amount of sparkle, of course!). 😉
Love,
Emma 💖
#TutuTuesday: #2244Remember to check back next week for more adventures in #BalletTutuHistory ! And let me know - where's your favourite place to watch a ballet show?
www.pink-tutu.com
