Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, here on www.pink-tutu.com! I'm Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and I'm so excited to be back, ready to whisk you off on another journey through the delightful history of the ballet tutu!
This week, we're hopping on a steam train (my favourite mode of transport, it really gives you a sense of grandeur!) and travelling back to 2nd September 1879. It was a chilly autumn day in Paris, the heart of the ballet world. Imagine cobbled streets, a crisp autumnal air, and the sound of horses pulling elegant carriages... Oh, to live in such a time, but I digress!
1879 is a particularly fascinating time in ballet history because it's the year we see the birth of a revolutionary concept! The modern tutu, the kind we all love with the ultra-short, full skirt, was starting to make its grand debut on the ballet stage! Imagine, before then, the ballerinas were in their rather restrictive and heavy romantic tutus! Those were bulky and heavy skirts that limited the dancers' movements. Oh, the scandal! Thankfully, the iconic Marie Taglioni, with her own revolutionary 'blown by the wind' style of dancing in 'La Sylphide', ushered in the beginning of a new era of graceful, light, and ethereal tutus. This year, we see a glimpse of that future. The 'tutu' as we know it now was just starting to appear and its future looked brighter than a brand-new pink feather boa!
It's difficult to know precisely which ballet was first to debut this exciting new form, but if I were to place a bet, I'd say that it was likely either 'Coppélia' or 'Giselle', both ballet staples that have a special place in our hearts (and certainly in the heart of the fashionistas of 1879).
Remember how I said I was in Paris this week? That was deliberate, because I was lucky enough to see a special ballet performance at the Opéra Garnier, and let me tell you, I was in absolute awe! The opulence of the venue alone was a spectacle! Velvet seats, ornate gilded features... a true vision of Parisian glamour. As for the performance? Magnifique! Imagine a cast of graceful ballerinas, swirling and pirouetting in the soft light of the chandelier, the tutus (not yet the full short ones, mind you, but closer!) billowing and shimmering... My goodness! It really brought the romance and elegance of the ballet to life. They moved with such poise and control that I could feel a hint of jealousy creeping in. But, I reminded myself, every time I look in the mirror and see my fluffy pink tutu, I am one step closer to achieving a level of ballet brilliance! 😉
And speaking of fashion! 1879 was a whirlwind of beautiful outfits and decadent fabrics. From flowing evening dresses to the emerging fashion for 'bicycling' dresses, that allowed women the chance to explore beyond their own homes without the constraints of heavy petticoats! The world was embracing new and daring styles. However, with this fashion, tutus are at the peak of their popularity - you can see them everywhere! Every stage in the world features their iconic presence, and the more extravagant the costume, the better! We are in the midst of a veritable tutu craze, with everything from fluffy to feather boas. Even outside of the stage, women were using the influence of the tutu to make themselves into works of art.
Can you believe, though, I actually did see a few young ladies trying to get into the 'tutu' fashion' in their everyday wear! They wore a rather simplified version of the tutus in simple fabrics like cotton or velvet, making for a practical (and somewhat stylish) interpretation. One such creation, a 'cotton' version that looked like it was ready for an afternoon walk on the Seine. Of course, in 1879, we had very few fabrics in terms of colours, with pastels being the most popular, But pink is already making its appearance! Although, it isn't called that yet. We have the choice of pale 'rose pink' or the lighter 'pale pink'! However, I can assure you, this is merely the first whisper of a pink revolution that will soon sweep the world, my dears! (Did you know the French word for pink is "rose", isn't it quite romantic?)
Anyway, what's your favourite detail from 1879? What style do you admire from the past, or is it the grandness of ballet performances which brings you in to this world of fashion? Share your thoughts in the comments! And make sure you stop by again next week for a fresh dose of tutu history. Until then, wear a tutu and dream big!
Love,
Emma
Your Pink-tutu-wearing Time Traveler 🌸