Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing blogger Emma here, back with another dose of #TutuTuesday, and oh boy, this week we're going way back in time! I'm talking pre-Swan Lake, pre-Giselle, pre-even the name 'tutu' itself!
Hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because this week we're journeying back to March 27th, 1883, a date etched into the hearts of every true ballerina, because it was on this very day that...well, nothing particularly dramatic happened in the ballet world, but that's not the point! We're talking about the origins, the very beginnings of our beloved tutu, and you can bet your bottom dollar that this week's blog is all about a fabulous journey to 1883, back to a time when fashion was all about billowing skirts and flowing fabrics.
To tell you the truth, the story of the tutu isn't one singular dazzling event, but rather a slow evolution over many years. Back in 1883, while the dance world was a swirl of extravagant dresses and cumbersome layers, the tutus we know and love were still a twinkle in someone's eye. Think flowing romantic gowns that just touched the ankles, the sort of thing you might imagine on the grandest Victorian ballroom scene! It wasn't exactly a recipe for cartwheels and grand jetés, let me tell you!
My recent journey through time landed me right in the heart of Paris, where I discovered that ballet at this time was a real theatrical spectacle. The ladies were dancing with so much freedom in their luxurious fabrics, but honestly, imagine the frustration of all that movement getting tangled in their long, billowing skirts! It must have been like trying to tango in a bathrobe. And let's be honest, the flowing fabrics must have concealed some amazing ballet moves, just begging to be unleashed!
I imagine Marie Taglioni, who is hailed as one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her time, twirling across the stage in those glorious skirts, wishing for a more dynamic, liberating, feminine dance look.
A Quick Glimpse into Fashion's World
1883 wasn't just a time of change in the dance world, it was a glorious period in fashion itself! This year marked the launch of a popular fashion magazine called "Harper's Bazaar", a treasure trove of inspiration for any fashionista worth her salt.
Imagine, lovelies, magazines filled with the latest fashion trends, showcasing intricate corsets, voluminous crinolines, and the ever-fashionable bustles! It was a time when women celebrated the curve of their silhouettes, creating dramatic curves and elaborate designs.
The sheer volume of these garments would have made even the most seasoned dancer's head spin, but that's what makes it even more interesting to me! While the ballet world embraced an almost 'Renaissance-esque' freedom with long, fluid skirts, the rest of the world embraced these exaggerated shapes, highlighting women's silhouettes like never before.
From Ballroom to Ballet
It wouldn't be until later in the 1800s that we start seeing a real shift in ballet dress design. Remember how the long skirts in 1883 would have made it impossible to even think about pirouettes? It just wouldn't have worked! But eventually, with the evolution of dance techniques and the sheer necessity for more mobility on stage, skirts were being gradually shortened, becoming progressively less voluminous, making for those gloriously airy, elegant movements we associate with the classic tutu today.
But here's the fascinating thing – as dance movements grew more expressive, it was also mirrored in fashion trends of the era. Imagine, if you will, a whole cultural shift, where women started demanding a more independent, active lifestyle, both on and off the stage. As a woman myself, I'm totally here for this!
So, while it might not have been the debut of the classic tutu as we know it today, 1883 laid the foundation for the breathtaking beauty of the ballerina we admire today.
Now, before I sign off, here's a fun fact to keep you dancing on the edge of your seat! This year, the first ever "Swan Lake" ballet debuted in Moscow. I bet it wouldn't have looked anything like what you imagine today, but that's the beauty of time travel and history – we can actually see how the magic of ballet evolved to create those awe-inspiring stories and dances we cherish today.
As always, my dears, stay fabulous, wear pink, and never be afraid to twirl!
Remember to join me next Tuesday for another exciting edition of Tutu Tuesday.
P.S. Tell me, my darling fashionistas, what do you think was the most impactful influence on the evolution of the tutu? Was it the shift in ballet technique? Was it the change in fashion trends? Tell me all your thoughts in the comments below!
Yours in pink and tulle,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
