Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time travelling ballerina blogger! As usual, it’s #TutuTuesday, and we’re whisked away to another magical time to explore the fascinating history of the ballet tutu.
Today, my trusty time-travelling machine has dropped me off in the enchanting heart of Paris, 1884. Now, I'm absolutely besotted with Paris! It's the birthplace of fashion, and let’s be honest, the place to see some of the most breathtaking ballet performances.
The year 1884, it's the era of la Belle Époque - the beautiful age of fashion, innovation and a burgeoning love for ballet, right in the midst of an exciting dance boom! Just a little aside, la Belle Époque definitely brings to mind gorgeous gowns, grand ballrooms and sparkling diamonds, and those beautiful cascading tiers of silk and lace - think tulle, chiffon and lots of layers for the perfect Victorian romanticism.
Just like the fabulous frocks that are adorning the Parisian boudoirs this year, tutus have really come into their own! You’ve got the big ballerinas at the Paris Opera House, with their Romantic tutus. They are simply exquisite - long and flowing with layers of billowing tulle that seem to move as the dancers gracefully glide. I'm totally captivated by these airy tutus!
A Little Bit of History
Talking of airy tutus, December 2nd 1884? This date just so happens to mark the debut of "La Bayadère" by Marius Petipa. Now this is one of my favourite ballet stories! Set in India with magical costumes, exotic dancers and exquisite storytelling. Oh, it's utterly sublime, full of colour and passion.
But it gets even better! “La Bayadère" also happens to feature the stunning The Kingdom of the Shades, with a haunting ballet scene in the depths of an underworld. Now, my darlings, it's the tutus, my loves, that just take your breath away. The dancers are clad in stunning all-white tutus, and you have to imagine how absolutely divine that looks! I’m so tempted to head to a performance, and maybe a trip to a vintage fashion store afterwards! I might even snag a silk Romantic tutu to adorn my collection!
Tutus Then and Now
Since this time-travel blog has its roots firmly in tutu history, I'll just drop in a little nugget for you! The Romantic tutu that I'm swooning over has actually gone down in history. The grand tutus, with their longer, flowy silhouettes and their weighty beauty evolved from a slightly less billowing design.
For instance, there was a ballerina in 1832, Maria Taglioni, a name to remember, who performed La Sylphide. The sheer beauty of her light and ethereal performance sparked a new style of tutu – the short, knee-length Romantic tutu, with its exquisite weightless, gossamer silhouette.
That same Romantic tutu, my dears, was also perfect for highlighting the ballet techniques that had taken hold back in the early 1800s. With its flowing, lightweight design, the ballet was moving more rapidly, with a greater emphasis on leaps and extensions. The new look of the tutus gave this newfound technique more air, allowing for the graceful beauty and effortless movements to become the spotlight. Isn’t that divine?
The world of ballet, my dears, was utterly transformed by this delightful design, opening a whole new chapter in ballet history. Just imagine it, a transformation of grace, artistry, and lightness - like a fairy flitting across the stage. And to think it was a ballerina in the 1830s that created the vision! The Romantic tutu has been making waves ever since, and even today you can find variations of it adorning dancers on stages worldwide!
Tutus in 2022
Today, the Romantic tutu is a favourite amongst many, making a glorious comeback. You'll find versions that are more modern with their layers and the lightness designed to perfectly embrace contemporary choreography. There's more structure and flexibility to the design, allowing for the freedom of expression in more exciting dance styles, a welcome change that celebrates both classic grace and modern movement! A ballerina in the 1800s would be utterly besotted!
I must say that the designs of this beautiful period definitely hold a special place in my heart! Their romantic allure with their luxurious silks and chiffons in soft shades like pink, peach, and pale blues make these Romantic tutus my absolute favourite. But my dear readers, remember a Tutu is a canvas for your own expression and to really own the stage. It can be flamboyant and expressive - full of colour and light - just a reminder. You can be a star, too, whatever the colour!
A Little Look Around Paris
So now that I’m in 1884, I’m venturing off to take a look around. It’s Tuesday and after all, I must get myself ready for my Parisian Ballet debut this week! Now the ballet schedule this week includes two divine performances at the Opéra Garnier. Imagine "The Nutcracker" - it’s just bursting with captivating grandeur and the stage production will simply be divine! And then, "Swan Lake" a classic ballet in its purest form, that tells such a beautiful story with its elegant ballet dancers - they are, to say the least, just enchanting! I’m truly ecstatic, so I have some planning to do!
Firstly, a grand shopping spree at one of Paris' stunning boutiques. Imagine the elegant gowns of a bygone era - lace, silk, satin - so breathtakingly gorgeous! My mind is running wild with ideas! My darling pink tutu will simply have to accompany me, and as we all know, fashion, my dears, is best explored in layers! A hint of lace with some delicate silk? And don’t forget a dazzling tiara - the ultimate embellishment! And don’t forget my favourite rose-hued top-hat to pull the ensemble together! I’ve got such a list - oh, what excitement! I shall simply look a masterpiece!
Of course, being here in Paris it would be a travesty not to grab some lovely treats. So many scrumptious French delicacies - from macarons to creamy crème brûlée, to delicious, golden pain au chocolat. It’s just too perfect - oh, I'll indulge! The sheer deliciousness of it all. I'm so full of life!
What are You Up To?
What do you think, dears? Are you inspired to explore ballet tutus from history? And what would your dream Romantic tutu be? Maybe in a delightful shade of soft lilac or pale blue? Or maybe you like bold hues like cherry red or emerald green? Do tell me in the comments! I simply adore your suggestions and your delightful passion for everything tutu! It just so warms my heart!
I am excited to see your tutus and hear your stories! Let's celebrate tutus together every Tuesday at #TutuTuesday. Join the conversation at www.pink-tutu.com. See you next week, my darlings!
Stay beautiful and wear a tutu with pride!
Emma xoxo
