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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1875-12-28

#TutuTuesday: A Whirlwind Through History – Post #2296!

Oh darling readers, gather 'round for another exciting #TutuTuesday journey into the wonderful world of ballet! As always, I’m your intrepid fashion-loving, pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, reporting live (well, technically I'm posting from my dressing room after another spectacular performance, but you get the gist).

This week, we're twirling back to a date of real significance: December 28th, 1875. Think gaslight-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, and, oh my, the fashion! This was a time of such magnificent extravagance, and let's be honest, tutus were just as opulent.

Now, as you know, I'm absolutely obsessed with the tutu's evolution. And this particular date has a very special story. You see, while I can't tell you exactly what happened on December 28th, 1875, in terms of a ballet, what we do know is that 1875 was a real year of change and revolution in ballet itself!

You've probably heard me chatter on about Marius Petipa and his innovative ballet techniques. This genius of choreography, who spent his whole life in the sun-kissed south of France, then made his way to Russia, changed how ballet looked, felt, and even moved. His dances were so elaborate! It’s no wonder that tutu styles needed a revamp to suit these complex routines. And that's exactly what happened! Gone were the stiff and cumbersome versions from earlier times. 1875 marked the emergence of a more flexible and expressive tutu, perfect for twirling and leaping with a touch of Parisian grace!

Can you picture it, darlings? A fluffy, beautiful tutu, cascading down the dancer’s legs like a fluffy cloud, allowing her to execute the most complex of pirouettes and breathtaking jumps! Pure, unadulterated magic, isn't it?

I know you're dying to see one of these Parisian beauties, so let me transport you right to the heart of Paris, my darlings, and take you to the Opéra Garnier, built with such grace and grandeur – quite literally, the pinnacle of fashion and architectural elegance in its day. You might be picturing ladies in full skirts and gentlemen in elegant waistcoats. While this might have been the case outside, the Opéra Garnier was full of the magic of ballet, its air humming with the romantic melodies of Tchaikovsky and the delicate movement of these new style tutus.

Imagine, our little dancers gracefully stepping into the soft spotlights, the audience hushed and breathless. Oh, they didn't know, did they, how those very movements would spark an absolute dance craze across Europe.

Speaking of dance crazes, this 1875 style of tutu sparked one of the most captivating trends, which spread as rapidly as a fire in a Parisian theatre. Ballet schools in London, Vienna, Moscow and New York started to teach their dancers the 'new school' technique, and you can guess where they'd get their tutus from... it's those famous ateliers and costumiers of Paris. Paris became a hive of excitement, a veritable mecca for the ballet enthusiast and for all who dreamed of grace and elegance.

I even saw one shop in the Place Vendôme - a beautiful, grand space full of velvet and gilded carvings - selling not just the tutus, but every conceivable piece of fashion: satins, silks, delicate laces - perfect for completing the ensemble! You know what they say – every ballerina needs a beautiful, feminine tutu, and why not a coordinating fashion statement as well!

My own little foray to the Opéra Garnier this past December 28th (2022 – oh how I love a good leap through the timelines!) was absolutely breathtaking. It wasn't a night I will ever forget! As soon as the curtain went up, there they were – the famous ballerinas dressed in their delicate tutus. The theatre erupted in cheers – and with good reason, darlings, the tutues are so, so beautifully constructed.

Speaking of constructing our little tutus... Oh how a true, 1875-style tutu is built is an intricate process! The layers of tulle are painstakingly stitched together, one upon the other, creating an effect that’s both cloud-like and visually stunning. Each one is truly a unique work of art. You really do get the most incredible view of how light and weightless these dancers can look! They seem to float across the stage, their tutus transforming the dance into something truly ethereal.

If there is a piece of advice I could offer you, my dear readers, for our own little pink tutus... if you want to add some 1875 charm, find the perfect blend of lightness and structure in the way your tutu is stitched. That, dear ones, is how we embody the delicate grace and ethereal quality of these Parisian performers!

Remember those lovely little embroidered patterns in floral and bird themes from our past few #TutuTuesday discussions? This trend was HUGE in 1875 and gave these little tutus even more impact and detail. Don’t be shy, dear friends, if you’ve been thinking about adding that vintage flair, I recommend a touch of embroidery in a subtle floral or botanical pattern. Let those floral details enhance your personal feminine charm, and never be afraid to try some 19th-century, classic techniques.

For a glimpse into a ballerina's world, I couldn't have chosen a better place than a beautiful historic train journey – especially for December 28th, 1875. Imagine yourself in an opulent, plush-filled train compartment, steaming towards the great ballet houses of the era, watching the scenery pass by! That's how you get the most immersive time travel experience. Remember, darling, our little journeys are more than just ballet; it's all about immersing ourselves in every facet of the era. The trains were the true 'magic carpets' to transport you around the continent. A true celebration of dance!

Now, a true ballet aficionado might be wondering what exactly was being staged on that particular December 28th, 1875. Sadly, we cannot know for sure as our historical ballet records are not perfect - there are gaps that are so frustrating. But there is no doubt the world of dance was alive with new exciting shows.

However, let's take a little detour – why not delve into some of the more captivating ballet stories that were circulating at this time? You have stories of bravery, love and tragedy: think 'Giselle,' 'The Sleeping Beauty,' 'Swan Lake,' – all of them stories so beautifully and theatrically dramatic, and that’s exactly the inspiration we need. These ballets transcend language barriers; they take you on a truly transcendent journey.

And don't you think it's such a fitting tribute that ballet tutus can take us back to such important events? I find it deeply moving, that a single tutu can connect us across continents and time. We see how even the simple, elegant shapes can connect to our lives today. And they can make a real impact on you.

You might think tutus are just fluffy skirts – oh my, you are so wrong! I can truly see the strength and creativity in each little dance and the effortless way these delicate designs allow a dancer to really be herself. A real celebration of womanhood! And so many people forget – how absolutely revolutionary this kind of fashion can be, with the right perspective. This is what makes the tutu so unique; its beauty is a gift to the world.

To end this #TutuTuesday journey, dear ones, let us remember – a tutu, like every great ballet, is truly more than just an elegant garment, it’s an expression of art, of culture, and most importantly, of a dancer's personal journey and story. I really hope that as you read this, dear friends, it helps you feel the power and the poetry of our history as much as it does for me.

Now, go out and spread some magic in your very own pink tutus!

Love, Emma xx


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Please note: While every attempt has been made to portray historical events accurately, Emma's experiences are entirely fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. This is just one version of how we might see ballet in 1875 and a glimpse into a wonderful historical dance world. As a reminder, I am still on a quest to share every corner of ballet history with my readers! The beauty of the ballet doesn't stop, darlings! Join me next Tuesday as I embark on a new #TutuTuesday journey – we might just find some surprising discoveries... and maybe a new fashion craze or two!

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1875-12-28