Hello my darling tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back with another instalment of our Ballet Tutu History blog, taking you on a fabulous trip through time from my Derbyshire roots to wherever my fancy pink tutu leads!
This week we're stepping back into 1882. A time of elegant bustle, swirling skirts, and… wait for it… a world without tutus! Gasp!
But don't panic, my dear readers, we're on a mission to sprinkle a touch of pink, fluffy wonder everywhere we go! Even though tutus as we know them hadn’t quite arrived yet, there were beautiful and intricate ballet costumes gracing the stages. Let’s see what was happening in the ballet world today in 1882!
Paris, Oh La La!
Imagine stepping off the train at the Gare de Lyon and being swept up in the swirling, bustling energy of Paris. Now imagine entering the gilded halls of the Opera Garnier - the most magnificent theater in the world! My, what a stunning structure it is, overflowing with grandeur and exquisite detail. It's a fitting place to be graced by the elegance of ballet.
The legendary ballerina, La Belle Otero, is captivating Parisian audiences. Imagine, just a whisper of a whisper, an exciting murmur runs through the audience, heads craning towards the stage as Otero takes the stage in a stunning, elaborate gown, glittering with jewels. It was far from the airy lightness of a tutu, but the dance and the gown combined to be a vision of feminine beauty, artistry, and dramatic flair.
I can picture myself there in the audience, a whisper of pink against the luxurious red and gold of the theater. It’s so enchanting and inspiring to feel the collective gasp from the audience, and to feel the thrill of anticipation and applause after a performance that is captivating every sense. I adore these performances that draw crowds in. Ballet is such a unique form of art!
St Petersburg, a Sparkling City
My travels next took me east, aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway! A fabulous journey to witness ballet at the historic Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg. It’s simply glorious - gilded, detailed and, much like the city itself, grand!
On 26th September 1882, you would have been able to see The Nutcracker - now, that's a ballet we all adore! It's magical, delightful, a dream ballet! And I bet the audience was delighted by the intricately designed, opulent, multi-layered, shimmering skirts! They might have even been experimenting with a little tulle here and there - perhaps tucked underneath, waiting to burst into a full-fledged tutu explosion in years to come!
These beautiful, romantic costumes were like edible treats for the eyes! Even if it wasn't the tutu that is so loved today, it's a thrilling sneak peek into the world of costume design before the advent of the tutu as we know it. I imagine a delicate lace dress with tiers of tulle peeking through, oh what a dream!
It's all about the Dance
Even though tutus haven't yet graced the stages as we see them today, the dancers themselves - the beautiful, elegant creatures that gracefully dance around the world - are still thrilling the audiences and sharing the art of ballet. These pioneering dancers, some still wearing a far less practical design of layered gowns, inspired the evolution of ballet costumes. Their dedication and passion paved the way for the free-flowing, vibrant, enchanting movement and artistry we see on stages today, and for our much-loved pink fluffy friends!
Now, let's chat about something really delightful - our favourite subject: tutus! We love how tutus let the ballerinas' movements shine! How they twirl, swirl and float, making every step a dream. And in 1882, as the era of opulent and multilayered costumes fades, and ballet technique is reaching new heights of elegance, there's a shift toward practicality and grace!
What did the fashion world wear in 1882?
Ah, how our fashions have evolved! But even though tutus weren't quite a phenomenon then, fashion was still quite enchanting! The Victorian Era was a period of fashion for all things voluminous and dramatic. Think of grand ladies in sweeping, full skirts and luxurious, intricate fabrics, lace, and a good smattering of beading and embroidery! The "bustle," a structure of padded fabric designed to give the derrière a delightful fullness, was quite the statement piece back then!
It seems as though history has an uncanny way of making its rounds - these flowing styles are starting to echo through modern trends, making 1882 fashion incredibly fashionable once again! How fabulous! Now I have to go rummage through my vintage finds and find some glorious pieces for a chic photoshoot, or even a street fashion shoot to incorporate into my daily style. Just wait until you see it, I can already imagine myself standing amidst a vintage backdrop, with the bustle in full force, showcasing a hint of that Victorian drama!
Tutu Travels
Now, I'm sure many of you are wondering how I fund these magnificent journeys around the world. Well, wouldn't you know, being a ballet-loving blogger gives me the perfect excuse! Not only do I get to indulge in ballet performances at the most spectacular locations, but I also make a bit of money by teaching a bit of ballet in these fascinating corners of the world! It's truly a passion project, travelling around the world, experiencing the diverse styles and approaches to ballet, soaking up history, sharing my love of tutus with everyone I meet! And, of course, I document the entire experience for all my lovely tutu-loving followers!
My adventures will continue next week with more tales from the world of ballet!
And remember, dear readers, in the words of a fabulous tutu wearer - “Wear your tutus with pride and confidence. They’re magical and joyful!” Until next week!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. I'm going to try to source some vintage garments for my photoshoot! Would love to get any tips or vintage stores to visit in London or Paris from any readers! You never know what fashion secrets are out there waiting to be unearthed. Let me know your favourites!
