Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time travelling ballerina, bringing you another fabulous instalment of Tutu Tuesday from my very own blog, www.pink-tutu.com! This week, we're going right back to the origins of the tutu, to 1884!
Imagine, my dears, a time when the tutu wasn't a symbol of grace and artistry but simply a practical garment. Today we celebrate its evolution from practical to phenomenal, a truly elegant story!
Now, I may have a reputation for hopping around in a flurry of pink tulle, but let's be honest, my heart belongs to the history of the tutu. As much as I love a sparkly, glamorous frock, the sheer audacity of those early ballerinas who wore those revolutionary garments truly inspires me! They were pushing boundaries and daring to be different, and look how far we've come!
And so, my lovelies, let's hop into the time machine, leaving behind the bustling city and all its glorious department stores (though darling, we'll be back soon!), and head to 1884. We're in Paris, darling, the heart of ballet, where a little dance dress revolution was just about to kick off.
The late 19th century wasn't all frills and frocks just yet, you see. Ballerinas, before the invention of the tutu, wore what they called "Romantic Dresses." Long, flowing garments made of silk or muslin with delicate ruffles, often with an undergarment for modesty, these dresses, darling, hampered their movement, their twirls!
It was a challenge for these nimble women. Can you imagine trying to leap in a billowing gown?
But darling, that's where a genius by the name of Marius Petipa stepped in. The Director of Ballet at the Imperial Theatre in St. Petersburg, he knew exactly what those dancers needed – freedom of movement! He wanted to see them soar, spin, and unleash their magnificent talent for the world to see.
Petipa, with his vision for the future of ballet, sparked a change in costume design. His revolutionary concept: let's trim down the skirts! He challenged a young Italian ballet dancer, Carlotta Grisi, who starred in his new ballet "Giselle," to perform wearing a new creation.
It was then that the short, tutus as we know them started to emerge! The length varied from ankle-grazing to above the knee, and with that shortened length, the romanticism of ballet had become something else, a thing of beauty, elegance, and of course, grace!
Now, imagine seeing a graceful ballerina with a few layers of tulle cascading like a flurry of feathers. Oh, darling, how much fun we would have back in 1884, attending a performance with such a visionary masterpiece on stage!
It's no surprise, my dear, that the shorter, tutus became incredibly popular, especially the "tutu à la Francaise," a darling classic, short and stiff. This delightful style with its tight bodice and flared skirt really let the ballerina’s beauty shine, it was almost as if the dancers were floating through the air, defying gravity.
So, there you have it, darling, the humble beginnings of the iconic tutu! You see, dear friends, the tutu has truly evolved and, by Jove, haven’t we come a long way since those early days. Just wait, you lovely things, this is just the beginning of our journey through tutu history! I have a lot of fabulous, sparkling stories to tell you all!
I must tell you, darlings, the excitement here in 1884 is palpable. I've been waltzing through the charming cafes of Montmartre and catching a glimpse of the magnificent architecture at the Palais Garnier. You know, I even bumped into Monsieur Toulouse-Lautrec sketching outside a cabaret! We had a lovely little chat, he's a true artiste.
Now, darling, I'm off to a ballet performance at the Opéra Garnier tonight! You wouldn't believe the fabulous costumes they're using these days - oh my, some of them are truly divine! The theatre lights are almost as magnificent as a whole bowl of candy, and the performers, darling, simply stunning! They say the costumes are almost as big a spectacle as the dance! The opulence here is just wonderful.
This is the magic of history, my dears! The sheer audacity of fashion. We owe a debt of gratitude to the women and men who revolutionised dance, dress and theatre. As you can imagine, it is just as fashionable to attend a theatre in this time as it is back in our modern world! I daresay you might see a famous face!
Tomorrow, we'll hop back on the train and head for a fabulous, shopping spree. Oh darling, I simply must show you the Parisian boutiques, their exquisite fabrics and exquisite displays, such delightful places for me! But right now, it's off to the show, where I shall twirl the night away!
See you next week for more fabulous tutu adventures, my lovely dears! Don't forget, darling, the most fashionable choice is to always wear pink. It’s our signature colour and I really do think that every woman can find the perfect pink tutu, whether you like to take inspiration from 1884 or not! So until then, be kind to each other, darling, wear pink, and never, ever stop twirling!
Love, Emma.
xxx
P.S. Remember, my lovely dears, this is not your regular historical timeline, for this is a journey through tutu history! My travels to different eras may jump around a little. But one thing's for certain, there's always going to be something fun, fabulous and fascinating to discover about the history of this magnificent garment.
P.P.S. Be sure to share this post with all of your stylish friends! If you love tutus, you're welcome here! Share this and show off your pink-tutu pride.
