#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1882-04-11

Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-tastic! Today's Tutu Tuesday takes us back to a most magical date – the 11th of April, 1882. Can you believe it? The year when the iconic tutu began to truly blossom, taking centre stage on the grand opera houses of Paris and becoming a beloved fashion statement amongst the fashionable ladies of the time!

It’s almost impossible for a ballet aficionado like myself to imagine a world without the breathtaking billows of tulle, especially a girl who loves the colour pink as much as I do. Can you even imagine how lovely a bright pink tutu would look against the backdrop of a grand opera stage? Pure theatre! It almost seems unimaginable, but back then, the humble ballerina wore just… ordinary, uninspiring dress! Gasp!

As a time-traveling, tutu-obsessed blogger, I get to witness firsthand how ballet has evolved, and it's quite the rollercoaster of tulle! Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of early tutus, uncovering their story from those dusty old theatres and vintage photographs, all through the lens of my fabulous, pink tutu.

But first, before we delve deeper into the sartorial splendour of the late nineteenth century, a little bit about yours truly! My name is Emma, and I'm a Derbyshire girl through and through. From my love of Bakewell tarts to my adoration for the ballet, there's something utterly captivating about Derbyshire and the traditions of my English heritage. You see, this is the home of the very first time a young girl’s life was changed forever by a single moment, the moment a little girl was enraptured by a captivating performance of Swan Lake, leaving her forever with a burning passion for ballet and a love of pink tutus. My life is, after all, an exploration of these two loves - ballet and pink tutus, both as fascinating as they are fabulous!

So let's journey back, ladies, in our time machines to the year 1882. Just picture it: Parisian opera houses with their glittering chandeliers, the whispers of anticipation as the audience settles into plush velvet seats, and, most importantly, the elegance and grace of dancers on stage – now imagine the graceful ballerinas weren’t wearing these flowing, layered tutus, but long skirts! Oh, the injustice! I mean, can you even imagine such a spectacle? The thought just pains my inner dancer!

Thankfully, the evolution of ballet fashion took a magnificent leap in this very year. The French choreographer, Marius Petipa, took to the stage for The Bayadère, and a true game-changer took its bow, or should I say… its piqué! Imagine, a stunning ensemble of dancers clad in a revolutionary garment! A shorter skirt! One that flowed with a lightness and elegance unlike any before. Yes, ladies and gents, the early stages of the tutu!

The ballerina's dance transformed – graceful steps were no longer hindered by restrictive fabrics; their movements could soar. The world was, frankly, mesmerised! This revolutionary garment sparked a fashion craze! Imagine, the Paris ladies rushing to create their own interpretations of the “ballerina look”. They embraced tulle, lace and layers – a new era of Parisian chic was upon us! This moment in history truly set the stage for the breathtaking tutus of today.

But even with this new and wondrous silhouette, this was still the early days of the tutu. In 1882, the tutu hadn't quite found its form. There wasn't a standard, and every designer had their interpretation of this newfound masterpiece of dancewear! It’s a fashion blogger's dream come true - so much freedom to play, explore and invent, so many interpretations! I mean, just picture how much fun you would have shopping for that first tutu back in the day! It’s so hard to imagine not having the full tutus that we have today! Can you even imagine a ballet without the voluminous layers and swirling tiers that are synonymous with dance and with fashion? Imagine, a life without tutus?! The thought, frankly, is inconceivable!

Of course, just as today, even back in 1882, there were differing opinions about what constitutes the perfect tutu. The shorter, lighter styles - like the one made famous by The Bayadère - had their critics, especially among the older generation, who couldn't quite wrap their heads around the sheer elegance and audacious style. Their sentiments echoed a sense of rebellion, a break from the old-world formality, a revolution in Parisian fashion, which to be fair, was always about expressing that French "je ne sais quoi," that "something-something" that takes a great deal of "oomph!" in terms of flair! But darling, there was absolutely nothing more exhilarating than breaking the rules - we know this today in 2023.

However, change often has a tendency to find its footing! Over time, the shorter skirts of The Bayadère found their way into the repertory of other ballet companies and gained more and more prominence until… and just imagine this... It became a ballet standard, an iconic symbol of ballet! Isn't that something? What a story for the history books, from humble beginnings to full-blown icon status! It really goes to show that when it comes to fashion and the performing arts, all you need is a good story and an ounce of imagination. And sometimes a little bit of daring to be different!

As the story unfolds, these first versions of the tutu slowly evolved, leading to the iconic shapes that we now know and love – from the delicate wisps of the Romantic Tutu, with its layers upon layers, to the bold lines of the Classical tutu, embracing form and function with the same breath. And even more thrilling, in my favourite pink, with the added touch of pink tights, how splendid! This would truly be an ensemble worth dying for!

Let's take a moment to revel in the power of the tutu – it is not merely a piece of dancewear, but a timeless piece of sartorial elegance that captivates the eyes, spins a thousand dreams, and embodies the very essence of a beautiful art form. Just a few centuries back, tutus were barely imaginable; now, their graceful swirl is an undeniable part of dance history, not to mention one of my all-time favourite outfits. I’m always finding ways to wear tutus every single day, whether that is adding layers of tulle under a dress, wearing a short skirt and then tying some netting on top or a ballet dress that looks almost identical to the classic tutus that I so adore!

For this Tutu Tuesday and our journey through 11th April 1882, remember, darling, the story of the tutu is just beginning – a tale of transformation, evolution and ultimately a testament to the incredible ingenuity and artistry that make up the ballet. What will this incredible dancewear look like in 20 years, let alone another century? Well, this is the joy of fashion - to constantly reinvent, rethink, reinterpret and re-design with flair and joy, and with that much needed dash of confidence! So get those creative juices flowing, my dear fashionistas. Just think - we are all on our own sartorial journeys! We each write the next chapter of our own fabulous tales, just like these wonderful, imaginative ballerinas in history.

Well, I must dash now, darlings, I have a date with The Nutcracker! A pink tutu and a little tulle are already in tow! In the meantime, let’s see how many more new tutus I can come across on my next trip!

Keep the pink tutus flying and until next Tuesday, be sure to spread the word and get everyone wearing a pink tutu! After all, tutus can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone - they are not just for ballerinas - even the grandest ladies in Paris are already sporting these wonderfully dramatic dresses with billows and tulle to bring a touch of excitement to their lives. Be the change you want to see in the world - and do be sure to post a picture of yourself in your tutu on my website Pink Tutu - remember, the world needs more pink!

See you soon!

Emma.