Welcome back, dear readers, to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, we're waltzing back in time to February 9th, 1875, and what a glorious day it is to be alive! Today is all about the birth of an iconic style, the day when the ballet tutu really came into its own.
This is post number 2250, which makes it seven years since I began sharing my passion for all things ballet and tutus! Honestly, sometimes I think about all the amazing costumes, performances, and ballet travels I've been able to experience thanks to this blog... and it brings a tear to my eye! 🥹💖
Speaking of travels, I've just come off a magical train journey across Europe. It's absolutely fascinating to see how ballet is embraced differently across the continent. From the romanticism of Paris, to the precision of Germany, and the graceful grandeur of Italy - each city has its own distinct flavour. And, of course, the tutus! They are just so different and beautifully detailed. 😍
But today, let's stay focused on 1875, a truly remarkable year in ballet history. We are, quite literally, in the Golden Age of ballet, with amazing innovations taking place all around us. Imagine my delight, dear readers, when I arrived in London to see the newest fashion craze - the tutu. Not just any tutu, but the Romantic tutu, with its full, flowing skirt and gasp… a glimpse of leg! It’s absolutely breathtaking. It's no wonder ballerinas are dancing higher and with greater freedom than ever before. The very air seems to buzz with excitement and movement. 🤩
But here's the thing... you might think these amazing, wispy tutus just magically appeared on stage, but you would be so wrong! The origins of the ballet tutu actually trace back centuries! And believe me, darling, I love digging deep into the fascinating stories behind these magnificent costumes. 😉
So, picture this: it's 1681. King Louis XIV of France has decided to open up an academy of ballet in Paris - the Académie Royale de Danse. His dream, his vision, is to make ballet the pinnacle of artistry and performance! It's a game-changer and a turning point for ballet - and oh darling, that's exactly when the tutu story begins! 🩰👑
It was during this time, when dancing was evolving beyond the old styles of courtly dance and stepping closer to something that would become ballet as we know it, that costumes started becoming a bit more practical and free-flowing. The first 'tutus' weren't even recognisable as such, though. They were more like waists with lots of layered frills around the lower body - kind of like a fluffy, billowing petticoat. 💃🏼☁️
Then, fast forward to the mid-18th century. It’s time for the ballet masters and costumers to get creative. Enter, the romantic period. Imagine, darling! A time of incredible artistic evolution and cultural transformation. During this time, ballets became romantic, dreamy and magical. Think sweeping melodies, whimsical tales of love and adventure, and, most importantly, women as the stars of the show. And with that shift in focus came a huge evolution in costumes. ✨
The Romantic Tutu, oh my dear readers, was absolutely revolutionary. You know how men and women back then had different ways of dressing? Well, the romantic tutu defied all the restrictions of women's clothing! Gone were the tight, long, restricting dresses that stifled movement and emphasized a corseted look! It was a bold statement - showing more skin! The Romantic Tutu allowed for more expressive movement and breathtaking fluidity on stage. It truly became a symbol of the woman’s spirit - their strength, grace and free expression. 🌹
Now, how did this magical creation evolve? Well, in the 1820s and 30s, the skirt lengths of the tutu began getting shorter and shorter until we reached the knee-length Romantic tutu we know and love!
But remember, my darling, there’s no ‘right way’ to design a tutu! Every choreographer and designer put their own unique twist on it! They played with shapes, colors, and fabrics to make it truly reflect their ballet vision. From delicate chiffons to sumptuous satins, the variety was – and is - simply astounding! 🥰
I think it's really important to acknowledge the people behind these creations, the true pioneers of the tutu! 🩰💖 They included incredible designers like Charles-Frederick Worth, and the truly groundbreaking dancers like Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Elssler - all women who redefined what dance meant on the stage and in society. It’s been a truly transformative period for women and for ballet itself, dear readers! ✨
I know you’re wondering what I’m wearing for today's #TutuTuesday, so you can believe I have my romantic tutu in the perfect shade of pink, just ready to sweep me back in time. I even found an old lace trim in London that I'll be adding, just to make it a little more... Victorian! Isn't it marvelous that, even centuries later, we're still reimagining the tutu and taking it to new places with our own artistic flair and love for ballet? I believe it's an inspiration for anyone with a love for the beauty and expression of dance, no matter what their age, shape, or background. 💕
As I said, this was a glorious time in the history of ballet, filled with innovation, exploration, and breathtaking performance. We are truly blessed to have inherited this magnificent heritage! 💫
Well, dear readers, it’s getting late here, but my #TutuTuesday adventures are just beginning! Remember to follow me on www.pink-tutu.com for new updates! Let's meet up for my next #TutuTuesday to journey further back in time and explore even more inspiring creations. And don't forget to share your favourite tutu moments in the comments below. 🩰
Until then, may your days be filled with grace, elegance, and the undeniable joy of ballet! 💕✨
Your time-traveling ballet enthusiast, Emma! 😉💖
