#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1882-01-10

Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome to #TutuTuesday! This week we're whisking back to 1882, taking a little trip back in time to the golden era of Romantic ballet, my absolute favourite era! Now, before you start thinking this means "ballet under the covers", I'm talking about the Romantic Era of the late 18th and 19th centuries, an explosion of fantastical ballets, dramatic narratives and, of course, some really beautiful tutus! 🩰✨

So, pack your picnic basket (you'll need one with lots of sandwiches and a bit of good gossip for the opera after!) and hop aboard the express train to Paris, where the magic is about to unfold! I can already hear the swish, swish of silk against silk as we head towards the Paris Opera House, where tonight's show features one of the most beloved ballets of all time – Giselle. 💖

Now, let's be honest, back in 1882 the "tutu" as we know it wasn't exactly in full bloom, but the seeds had definitely been sown. Before that, dancers wore knee-length skirts with several layers, making leaps and turns a bit, shall we say, "clunky." It was the 1820s that started this glorious evolution, with choreographers wanting dancers to have more freedom of movement to really show off those beautiful lines and impressive techniques. Think "light as a feather, strong as a warrior" — the perfect embodiment of a ballerina! ✨

Speaking of freedom of movement, our "Giselle" was a bit of a game-changer. Choreographed by the masterful Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot (a true powerhouse pairing, I tell you!) this story of a tragic maiden caught between love and vengeance is absolutely heartbreaking - oh, but we do love a bit of dramatic tragedy, don't we? And the tutu, the tutu! Imagine a dress that stops just above the knee, with delicate tulle layers forming the skirt – like the wings of a butterfly dancing in the moonlight. You simply must experience this one for yourself!

What I really love about 1882 (and every other century, truth be told!) is that the ballet scene is heavily influenced by the wider fashion world. You wouldn't find a ballerina in anything less than the most exquisitely crafted tulle. We're talking shimmering fabrics, intricately stitched details, and - naturally - all shades of the most fabulous, most gloriously chic colour known to humankind: PINK!! 💖

Even if they weren't out wearing full-blown tutus, even everyday outfits got a bit of ballet-inspired flair, thanks to the romantic styles and delicate silhouettes that were all the rage. This whole era is basically just my Pinterest feed come to life – think of those frilled lace collars, the beautiful puffed sleeves, and those romantic draping techniques!

Now, 1882 marks the start of what we call neoclassical ballet, and that’s because choreographers began to challenge the existing rules and incorporate elements of more modern dance. So, instead of the graceful and fantastical storylines of Romantic ballet, neoclassical brought in more abstract, abstract concepts and bold movements, with dancers needing a whole new level of technical ability! They even used a whole different tutu (we're talking about more short and straight - still a vision of elegance, but different from the Romantic style of the Giselle tutus!)

But before you jump on that newfangled ballet train, let's not forget about those romantic tales, those flowing tulle gowns and all those beautiful performances. It's these moments of history that have created the world of ballet we know and love today!

So, how will you celebrate this amazing piece of ballet history? This #TutuTuesday I suggest heading out to a show - if you're lucky, they might be showing Giselle, but you can't go wrong with Swan Lake or any other classic piece with an abundance of tutus! But if the theater isn't your cup of tea, we can still celebrate - whip out that beautiful, billowing tulle skirt you've got hidden away and – yes, you guessed it – go shopping for something pink! If we're gonna step into a beautiful time capsule of ballet, let's look the part! 💖

Until next week, darlings! Don't forget to head over to my lovely website, www.pink-tutu.com , where you can check out my latest tutu-tastic travels! 😉

Remember to stay stylish and follow my pink tutu blog for more fabulous ballet history adventures.

Yours in tutus and pink,

Emma 💖🩰