Bonjour mes amies!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveler, ready to whisk you off on another exciting adventure through the world of ballet! This week, I've hopped in my time machine (and it's actually just a very fast train, but hey, the spirit's the same) and arrived back in the year 1876! Fancy a spot of romanticism, eh?
As the date reads, today's the 31st of October - the spooky, witchy night we call Halloween in these modern times, but in 1876, they simply celebrated All Hallows Eve with a good old-fashioned pumpkin carving! We’re off to Paris today, because nothing beats the magic of the city, the culture, the excitement, and let’s face it, the shopping. Paris has always been the queen bee of fashion, my dears. And for this Tuesday's #TutuTuesday, we'll explore how the fashion of ballet took shape in that grand old era.
Now, picture this: imagine swirling, romantic music filling the air. Lush velvets and elegant silk, sparkling like fireflies in the night. These were the defining elements of La Belle Époque, the era that graced Paris from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. It was a period bursting with creativity, where every aspect of art, including dance, was imbued with extravagance and passion.
The tutu we see on stage today evolved during this time! This era saw a beautiful transition from the billowing Romantic tutus to the shorter, lighter tutus we recognize as the classic ballet tutu. This evolution wasn't merely for visual effect; it allowed for more agility, making leaps and pirouettes a symphony of grace rather than a chaotic battle against layers of fabric!
But even back in 1876, Parisian dancewear wasn’t all stiff, frilly tulle. It's important to note, ladies, that not every ballet dancer graced the stage in a frilly tutu. The style was always tied to the particular type of dance! For dramatic or romantic ballets, like La Sylphide, they'd use soft, flowing tutus, often longer with more volume, to enhance the elegance and the ethereal movement of the story. For something like the grand pas de deux in Swan Lake, you'd likely see a dancer with a much more refined, shorter, and streamlined tutu - making every gesture crisp and powerful!
Now, I can imagine some of you thinking, "Emma, that all sounds delightful, but what about the practicality? Surely it wasn't comfortable?"
You're right to wonder! Those early tutus were not for the faint of heart (or bladder, because, well... nature calls for even ballerinas!). Back then, they wore them in conjunction with full bloomers and even leggings – yes, leggings! All the while dancing like they were defying gravity! It wasn't easy. Imagine, you lovely lot, if you had to spend all day at work, but instead of your trousers you had on yards of soft tulle and heavy cotton!
Speaking of practicalities, another fascinating element of this time is the focus on beauty and hygiene. Before 1876, dancewear often used heavy materials, trapping sweat and leading to discomfort and even potential skin issues! With the dawn of the romantic era, things got a whole lot lighter. Thankfully, the designers learned the importance of breathable fabric and considered what a dancer needed – they realised movement is vital! Think fine cottons, delicate tulle, even layers of chiffon, all lending themselves to graceful, effortless movement and allowing the dancers to move without hindrance, showing off every muscle and every fluid move. It's just gorgeous!
As for the tutu design, they became slimmer, less fluffy and much, much shorter – allowing the leg lines to really come into play. Can you imagine trying to move as gracefully with all the added bulk? This, of course, came hand in hand with a beautiful revolution in dance techniques: ballet techniques became more sophisticated, emphasizing fluidity and expressiveness – something a little more difficult with that old school romantic bulk! They wanted those legs and feet to be seen!
As for shopping for tutus? My, my! A delightful process, just as enchanting as the dancing itself!
Picture this: meandering through Parisian shops bursting with silks and satins. Picking and choosing beautiful ribbons, delicate lace and sumptuous fabrics – making them come together in harmony for a truly romantic and dramatic performance! Even the design was important. Every single ruffle, every fold, even the pleats and their width, were considered important factors.
While there’s a definite charm in those early Romantic era tutus, one can't deny the comfort and agility provided by modern tutus! It’s an absolute delight to be able to dance with freedom and a little less, ahem, sweat! That said, sometimes I wish we could peek into the time machines and see all those grand shows, see all the fabulous ladies dressed in such gorgeous clothes. The opulence and grandeur of the romantic era - pure theatre and artistry! It reminds me: never forget the power of a good tutu and the joy of expressing oneself through art!
As always, my darlings, I'm filled with inspiration. What about you? What did you think of this journey to the Belle Époque? Is it tempting you to step out of your comfort zone and maybe even dare to wear a pink tutu, my darlings? Remember, we're all a little bit ballet-worthy, regardless of whether we're dancing in front of an audience or just twirling in the comfort of our own homes! Don't forget, a good tutu can transform even the dullest of days!
And now, until next Tuesday, go forth and twirl your heart out. Let's spread the love of ballet and the enchantment of a pink tutu to the entire world, one dance at a time!
Bisous,
Emma.
P.S. Do you know any interesting ballet tutu facts for next week? Do tell! Send me an email with #TutuTuesday to
Don't forget to come back next Tuesday for another edition of #TutuTuesday. In the meantime, head on over to the website for more about my travels!
www.pink-tutu.com
