Hello, my lovely tutufarians! Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday, where we journey through the history of ballet tutus, exploring their fascinating evolution and celebrating their iconic elegance! I'm Emma, your friendly pink tutu-wearing time-traveling blogger, back from another thrilling escapade to the past. Today we're landing in the dazzling, dramatic, and undeniably delightful world of 1887.
Ah, 1887, a time of beautiful bustle skirts, flourishing theatre, and yes, the birth of tutus as we know them! Can you believe it, my dears? Back in the late 1800s, we were well into the reign of the Romantic era in ballet, an era all about airy, ethereal movements, delicate grace, and romanticism. And you just can't achieve that airy, dreamy effect with the heavy layers of earlier costumes. So, enter the tutu, my darlings!
Our trip takes us to Paris, the city that embodies the elegance and grace of the Romantic era. Here, the French ballerinas took to this lighter, shorter, more flowing version of the skirt. Think frills, tiers, tulle, and whispers of delicate silk – it was the perfect reflection of the changing times. The traditional ballet costume, with its layered fabric, was starting to fade into history. A ballerina now resembled a blooming flower, radiating pure artistry in a wave of shimmering fabric!
Today marks a particularly significant event. Can you guess what? I'm giving you a moment to think!
....That's right! It's the premiere of "La Bayadère," the opulent ballet by Marius Petipa. This was truly a masterpiece, and it had a profound effect on the evolution of the ballet tutu! With the delicate, flowing tulle skirt, the choreography focused on graceful leaps, effortless spins, and a fluidity that captivated audiences. And the stunning costume – an incredible display of lavish jewels, ornate headpieces, and the dramatic contrast of colours – brought "La Bayadère" to life with exquisite grandeur.
This ballet had a significant impact on tutus, becoming a sort of blueprint for what the perfect tutu should be. But not just for its dazzling aesthetics, you see, my dears! The way the "La Bayadère" tutus moved and responded to every graceful movement really highlighted the need for technical innovation. This innovation would lead to improvements in the design and fabrication of ballet tutus, ushering in an era of more intricate, and increasingly beautiful, costumes. The tutus became shorter, more fluffed and, I believe, undeniably captivating!
To make this journey even more enchanting, I'm in the grand and historical Opéra Garnier, a magnificent palace dedicated to art and the magic of ballet. I'm soaking in the atmosphere, envisioning the breathtaking spectacle that must have unfolded before audiences back then! Oh, how I wish I could have seen it myself!
As you all know, I'm all about dressing up and embracing the transformative power of clothes. So, in the spirit of 1887, let's recreate a little piece of history ourselves! Grab your tulle, gather some ribbons and lace, and start experimenting! Even if we can't exactly recreate those magnificent tutus, just putting together something frilly and beautiful is a great way to connect to that romantic, ethereal essence. Remember, we all have our own version of the stage. I'd love to see you create and show me what you come up with! Be sure to post your creations on our Facebook group or Instagram using the hashtag #TutuTuesday. Let's celebrate the tutu and the joy of "La Bayadère"!
Until next Tuesday, darlings! Happy tutu-making, happy travelling, and most importantly, happy dancing!
Yours truly, Emma
Pink Tutu NotesOutfit inspiration - Imagine this! It's 1887 and we are entering a ballet house. The ladies are wearing long, elaborate dresses with the ubiquitous bustle, a fashionable must-have in 1887, giving an even more accentuated rounded shape to the backside of the skirt. The dresses are made in plush velvets, soft silk and lavish brocades, all carefully detailed. But there is an air of the ethereal in the fashion, too. Think swathes of lace, shimmering silk, delicate beadwork, and perhaps a hint of pastel color peeking through. The hair is carefully coiled, perhaps with a dash of flowers for that finishing touch, the epitome of elegant beauty. Of course, for my #TutuTuesday trip, I have to keep with the pink theme, so I’ve layered my gorgeous pink, silk tutu over a white skirt and bodice – very much in keeping with the fashionable layering of the time.
How I fund my travels? * You'll be shocked to learn that the only real expense of traveling is the tickets. Time travel isn't all it's cracked up to be you know, a bit boring really. But, and it's not to be bragged about, my trips to the past and back are paid for by ballet shows. I can make quite a bit of money from playing piano and, more so, by selling ballet tickets to eager theatregoers for a slightly marked up price, you see, this keeps my funds afloat and the trips happening. *Train travel: For a journey like this one, nothing beats the romance of a first class carriage on the Midland Railway. With a quick trip to a station on the borders of my home county of Derbyshire I'm all set for Paris by lunchtime! A full carriage is always the best – space to dance and no chance of falling over other people's feet as we move gracefully.
*London - the next stop! * As for this week's upcoming #TutuTuesday trip. I’ll be heading to the most dazzling capital in the world, none other than London! On 29th March 1887 we have something truly special, "Sylvia, ou la Nymphe de Diane" is playing! It will be wonderful to get back to London; to visit Harrods for a bit of clothes shopping and take in the glorious street theatre that is synonymous with London at that time.
I hope that this little insight has inspired you to appreciate the beautiful ballet tutu, even more. We all have something beautiful to share! Stay connected and let's dance through the next journey of #TutuTuesday.
