Hello my lovely tutufarians! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveler, Emma, here with another fabulous journey through the glorious history of our beloved ballet tutu!
This week we’re stepping back to 7th September 1875. Now, you might be thinking "Emma, what was happening with tutus then?!" and you’d be absolutely right to ask, because this is when things start to get really interesting for the tutu world.
This is Paris, darling! Paris in 1875, bursting with all the fashion, drama, and creative energy imaginable! Paris was the absolute heart of ballet, the centre of tutus, the queen of tutus – call it what you will, it was the place to be if you wanted to be a part of tutu history!
I popped on my most flamboyant pink tutu for this trip, and trust me, the people on the street gave me the most wondrous stares – not because they thought I looked ridiculous, darling, but because, in the elegant world of Parisian fashion, my tutu stood out. Now, to the ballet itself.
Now, tutus have always been a fascinating fashion story, right? We all know how they evolved from the practical, floor-length dresses of the 16th and 17th centuries to something much more dazzling. This is all part of the fascinating evolution from “the elegant form of expression” (yes, a ballet dress) to the Tutu!
This evolution went through the stages of shorter skirts with leg revealing tights, romantic tulles, to what was termed “the skirt of the fairies”, and then the big boom! A full circle skirt of tulle, and then some more… a Tutu!
Back in 1875, we’re really seeing tutus at the heart of the Parisian ballet stage.
But tutus in this era, darlings, were all about whimsy, about ethereal fluidity, and movement. They were built for that effortless grace and a kind of romantic elegance. We’re not talking about the grand, elaborate, technically complicated, often bulky tutus you see on stage nowadays.
It's a different feeling of grace – I like to imagine dancers, light and nimble like butterflies, flying across the stage, the shimmering fabric swirling around their forms.
I saw this myself during my trip! The Paris Opera, where tutus reigned supreme, was an unforgettable experience. The theatre itself was grand and glittering, buzzing with excitement. I was swept up in the world of romanticism and drama – and tutus were everywhere, flowing, dancing, and taking my breath away.
There was this absolutely divine performance by Marie Taglioni (who else!)... imagine a graceful wisp of a ballerina in the most delicate white tutu, pirouetting across the stage with this air of ethereal, fairytale magic – truly enchanting.
For a young and passionate dancer like myself, the sheer beauty and craftsmanship was breathtaking. In my pink tutu, it was simply impossible not to feel inspired! I bought so many outfits from the boutiques around the opera – an amazing red velvet gown for my Derbyshire theatre night and some amazing pearl adorned hair clips for when I perform in my home village. I saw so many stylish gentlemen as well, it truly is a joy to see so much well dressed and lovely people, that’s what I love about the era. It feels good, the era makes me feel glamorous, I know all my family are so happy with my choices and the fact that I get to see all the lovely ballet and all of these lovely places in our shared, fascinating world!
This was, however, more than just a fashion trip. 1875 saw the rise of many of ballet’s big names. People who weren't simply performers but artists, storytellers – and this meant that the tutu, dear reader, was taking on new dimensions.
In a sense, 1875 was the year tutus were being shaped by these larger stories. It was a time when every aspect of a performance, the choreography, the stagecraft, and even the very costume of a dancer, needed to bring the whole production to life. The tutu, no longer just an adjunct to the dance, was part of the narrative, reflecting character, mood, emotion.
It’s just a small glimpse back into this truly fascinating time, but, in my opinion, these years made the tutu! We see how our favourite, pink and frothy, piece of fashion took on an identity. So, when we go out into our tutu-filled world today, we always need to remember the ballet history of the tutu – they aren’t just pretty frills, my darling, they are pieces of dancing history!
So there you have it, another thrilling adventure in #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! Join me again next week for another magical trip through time.
Oh, and before I forget, please, don't forget to tell your friends about our little #TutuTuesday haven - www.pink-tutu.com - where we share our love for all things tulle and twirl!
Now go on, be a lovely person today, put on your best tutu, twirl and get some pink in your life!
Emma, signing off for now. And don’t forget, we’ll see you next week. Always with a little extra pink. 💖
