Bonjour, mes chéries! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday instalment of my Ballet Tutu History blog on www.pink-tutu.com. As a Derbyshire girl through and through, I'm chuffed to bits that today marks 3rd January 1882, because this means we can pack our little bags, hop on a train and - ooh, la la! - visit London! The hub of fashion, culture and... ahem, tutus. It's an absolute whirlwind of exciting things to see and do.
London is just brimming with activity! Just imagine this gorgeous gal, all done up in my lovely, luscious, pink tutu, whizzing through London on my latest time-travel adventure! The train is the most convenient and elegant way to travel - particularly the plush, velvet-lined compartments, perfect for reading my latest ballet fashion magazine (my favourite: La Ballerina - the illustrations are just divine!).
We've been studying the tutu in this blog for ages, darling, but it is so fascinating! Today we are going to chat about one particular style which is really getting attention. I just adore these frothy creations. And not only are they perfectly girly and fun, but they are a real symbol of just how innovative fashion was getting in this time period.
Right then, grab a cuppa - and possibly a pastry, too, wouldn't you love a Madeleine? (Darling, I simply adore these little French cakes - so delicious). And settle in, darling, because today we are looking at... The Romantic Tutu!
The Rise of the Romantic
As you lovely readers know, it was around 1830 that ballet had a change in style. Gone were the bulky costumes of the earlier eras. In came an era called... wait for it, Romantic Ballet - and a new way to think about tutus! It was an era of passion with delicate, almost fragile tutus that moved so beautifully.
Let's talk history: Romantic Ballet was very dramatic. Think tragic, tear-jerking, powerful stories. Like 'Giselle', about a beautiful peasant girl who dies of a broken heart. And guess what? She wears this stunning white, gossamer tutu made of tulle (the lightest, airiest, most divine fabric for a tutu!)
What is fascinating is this movement brought us, not just a style, but a new kind of tutu, the 'Romantic tutu', made for the dancer, to flow. It's much shorter, with the fabric flowing in a bell-shape, making the dancer look so weightless, like a magical creature. You can imagine how much I adore this look! And we still wear it, albeit slightly modified, in contemporary ballet, it's timeless!
London and the Tutus
It is so interesting that during this time London was at the forefront of ballet in England. The most important ballet company at this time was based here - The Royal Italian Opera. We mustn't forget that England, and London especially, were a really important part of European ballet. The company staged beautiful, magnificent performances with stunning sets and costumes, all showcasing these dramatic, romantic tutu designs! It was a grand era of ballerinas showing off their agility in beautiful Romantic tutus.
Now, where shall we head? What to see today? The Covent Garden Theatre (not that Covent Garden you may be thinking of... the grand Opera House!) would be amazing for seeing some fabulous performances! Then on to the bustling Bond Street and its fashionable shops. Ooh, imagine all the beautiful dresses, gowns, and tutus! Imagine a pretty pink silk one (my favourite) for me, darling!
More Inspiration For Our Tutus!
As a time traveller I have to say - even though I travel in time - there is always new and exhilarating fashion inspiration. Think about this: even though the Romantic era is from a while back, the style really influenced dancewear forever! Today's 'Romantic' tutu is a shortened version of what is actually quite an ancient dance costume...the 'Bourrée' worn back in the 1500s, incredible, think about it! It is how style evolves.
So if you are dreaming of becoming a dancer... well... wear a pink tutu! (I always do!) You will not regret it, I'm convinced it will set your mind dancing! Just remember to keep it soft and floaty (remember that tulle). Don't be afraid to wear a fluffy and voluminous skirt, you may just be starting a ballet trend!
That is me and my little time-travelling ballet musings for this week, darlings! Hope you are inspired to #wearapinktutu, even on a #TutuTuesday. Until next time, mes chéries... keep those tutus twirling!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
