#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1887-06-07

Welcome back, darlings! 🩰💖 Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on another thrilling trip through time to uncover the captivating history of our beloved tutus. This is post number 2893, and I’m back to tell you all about those gorgeous creations and the fashion trends surrounding them.

As always, I’m so glad you’ve popped by www.pink-tutu.com. My travel schedule’s been pretty hectic lately, jetting between epochs like a ballerina mid-grand jeté. This week I’ve been flitting through the era of elegant Victorian society and trust me, there’s been no shortage of magnificent displays of tulle and lace to be seen!

Right now, I’m standing in the opulent heart of the Royal Opera House in London, surrounded by the chatter and the swish of silks that always mark a night of the ballet. I can't get enough of those shimmering chandeliers, they set the most wonderful stage for the whole affair.

Speaking of the ballet, it's positively flourishing. You should see the beautiful costumes and the exquisite sets that are designed! It's a visual feast for the senses.

Just last week I witnessed the grand opening of the new season at Covent Garden, and the exquisite dancers and breathtaking artistry truly captured my heart. I do enjoy being surrounded by such artistry and opulence. This truly is where tutu dreams are made, don't you think?

Of course, the most important element of all are the tutus! This era, Victorian times, has some incredible ones to show off. Back then, they weren't as whimsical and daring as today’s designs, but the charm they possessed is something else entirely! They were, you see, longer and fuller than today's, with multiple layers of tulle and soft frills that were definitely designed to accentuate and emphasize those graceful, balletic moves. Think romantic, dreamy and delicate!

But the big change back then was the way dancers actually performed. The big, billowing, long skirts, and the more formal performance style made tutus, and even dresses, appear fuller. Imagine how they had to dance in those outfits. It makes me think that their amazing balletic talent is even more phenomenal when you consider that! Today, with our modern, lightweight and even streamlined versions, it would be unimaginable.

I can see your thoughts, dear readers, because those fuller tutus from this era sound a little… well, constricting. But don’t worry - as much as they may look heavy and inconvenient, I'm here to tell you they're actually beautifully designed. Think intricate and elegant fabrics - it's all in the details.

A lovely contrast between the billowing skirts and those tightly fitted bodices that we see all over fashion today – they were a delightful combination. Those bodice patterns, from my research, included exquisite corsets with embroidered silk for the best ballet performance. And then those graceful sleeves, often featuring sheer fabrics or delicate ruffles - they would flow so elegantly as the dancers twirled across the stage.

What I love about this particular time in fashion history is how ballet truly embraced that delicate aesthetic.

Did you know, my lovelies, that on the 7th of June, 1887, there was quite a lot happening. In politics, it was another week in a busy time of international trade and negotiations. At the end of 1887, the Queen was hosting Emperor Frederick III of Germany and his wife in a major social event in London, as well as welcoming various politicians and diplomatic guests to a special diplomatic tour around Britain.

The London stage itself was booming with the most famous productions. One of the most successful pieces was the legendary ballet production, La Sylphide, performed to great acclaim at Covent Garden in December. La Sylphide is a work that’s truly breathtaking. You see, the original production dates back to 1832 and it still remains the best example of Romantic ballet at its best, it even included, to this day, the most famed dancing for the male dancer called the pas de deux, literally "a step for two", and even a very romantic, intricate pas de trois, a dance with three.

Of course, no discussion on tutus could ever be complete without some wonderful, delectable shopping discoveries. This week in fashion was, as always, an exciting time in fashion and there are some really fascinating finds from back in June of 1887. It’s fascinating how so much remains unchanged!

What really struck me was how much today’s designers are actually drawing from that period! Take a look at the latest collection from Coco Chanel — it's absolutely bursting with inspiration from the 19th century! And that's not all! Those billowing skirts that we talked about earlier? They're back in a big way in modern designs, with that modern touch and all, of course!

It's all very, very interesting - it’s almost as if we’ve found this fantastic fashion loop of history, like we always have been travelling around in a fascinating world of styles that has kept repeating, but with a beautiful contemporary edge!

So that was my tutu-ful adventure in the realm of 19th-century fashion! How I love a good waltz in a historical setting! I hope you all found it fascinating. Don't forget to join me next Tuesday for another captivating journey through the world of ballet and tutus.

I must fly! I have an opera to attend - an operetta, this time, by the Viennese composer Johan Strauss the Younger. I heard it's full of fantastic choreography, stunning costume details, and of course - the most sensational tutus in all of Vienna. And when I’m finished, I’ll be enjoying an equally grand Parisian fashion show, full of elegant fabrics, delicate laces and a collection of pretty and delicate, tulle, layered designs! There’s simply no stopping when it comes to the best in fashion and dance – you can count on it!

And please do check out my travel and fashion blogs at www.pink-tutu.com 🩰

Until next Tuesday,

Emma xoxo