#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1888-06-19

Bonjour, my lovely tutu enthusiasts! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure. This week, we're hopping in the time machine (because every ballerina needs one, right?) and travelling all the way back to 19th June 1888, a date destined to be forever etched in ballet history!

Oh my, but the world of ballet is SO exciting! Did you know that on this day, back in 1888, something truly spectacular happened? Well, for a start, the very first "Giselle" by Marius Petipa (that's like the grandpa of ballet in the world) was performed in Saint Petersburg. That's Russia! They were so passionate about this beautiful, tragic, and graceful ballet, that they took it to heart and showed it to the world, launching a timeless classic into the ballet repertoire! Just imagine - that day in St. Petersburg, you could have been amongst the first people to witness the magic of "Giselle"! It’s enough to make me swoon.

But we don't have time to just be gazing longingly at the past, no sirree! Because on this particular #TutuTuesday, we are delving into the historical world of tutus, the most fabulous and beautiful part of any ballerina’s wardrobe!

As a passionate ballet enthusiast from Derbyshire, England, I’m naturally drawn to these gorgeous frills and fluff. I think everyone can appreciate the delicate elegance and charm of a tutu, don’t you? Let's take a closer look at how these garments came about!

Now, back in 1888, we’re smack-dab in the Romantic Era of ballet, when tutus were in their formative years, evolving from the more voluminous, multi-layered skirts of the late 1700s.

Imagine this - dancers flitting across the stage, in frothy skirts that made them look like billowing clouds! The era was all about expressive movements and romantic storylines, and these flowing garments did a fine job of accentuating their ethereal charm. You could just hear the swish, swish of their delicate layers as they took each elegant step. Honestly, it's enough to make me wish I could be back in that period to see these exquisite creations with my own eyes!

Of course, we know those enormous skirts, whilst wonderfully dramatic, could be rather limiting and cumbersome! Not practical, in fact. This led to a happy development, my darlings. Slowly, slowly, designers started getting clever, and they created a new form - the tutu.

It started with the "Romantic Tutu." Now, these lovely beauties were still pretty full - like a big ballerina meringue. But they were constructed of layers and layers of tulle, sometimes going up to 24 layers in a single garment. Honestly, imagine all those delicate layers, so soft and billowy! It must have been quite a sight to behold, if slightly impractical when moving with swift, delicate ballet steps. But this type of tutu started changing! By the end of the 1800s, the shorter and lighter "Classical Tutu," designed for speed, became more popular, creating a form that we all recognize and love to this day. Oh my, how glamorous these shorter, flowing masterpieces looked with the graceful movements and breathtaking pirouettes of these pioneering ballerinas! I do have to confess I love the Classical Tutu in its elegant, yet bold, design.

Fast forward a few decades and you get the beautiful, tight "Classical Tutu," still featuring lots of tulle but this is much less voluminous - ideal for high leaps, spins and even acrobatic feats. It's a testament to the ingenuity of our ballerina ancestors, don't you think? It's amazing to think about how far ballet costumes have come. From enormous layers to the simple, but incredibly effective and flattering look of a classical tutu. Oh! Don't even get me started on the variety of colours they come in! I just want to grab them all and dance with glee!

But tutus are more than just garments for professional dancers, they’ve become a symbol of grace and creativity for all of us! That's why I adore them. Every day can be a #TutuTuesday for me!

Whether it's a performance at the Bolshoi, or a fancy-dress party, a tutu is a must-have, I’m convinced, if you want to be at the height of fabulousness and sophistication!

There's nothing quite like seeing a room full of people decked out in the fluffiest, most gorgeous tutus, right? So grab your favorite one (maybe even a bright, bubbly pink?) and let's create our own ballet moments, wherever we are, with our #TutuTuesday. After all, you don’t need to be on stage to feel like a star!

Remember, you can always find me over at www.pink-tutu.com - your online portal for all things tutu-related, where I’ll continue sharing stories and fashion inspirations from this beautiful world. So keep your tutus ready, darlings! Until next time!

Lots of Love, Emma

P.S. If you're in the London area and have a love for all things theatre, make sure you take a trip to the stunning Victoria Palace Theatre. This grand palace of a building is the home of a certain "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" - a truly incredible, glitzy show! Just be warned, it might inspire you to grab a pink tutu!

Now, you know I couldn't possibly talk about ballet history without mentioning a little travel! As an avid rail-traveller and fan of the fabulous and fun, there's a great place for us to be headed next on this grand voyage! Imagine - 1888! So off we go on a charming journey to see "Giselle" at the iconic Mariinsky Theatre, in St. Petersburg!

Think opulent velvet seats, delicate chandeliers, and that delicious aroma of anticipation - truly, it’s the very definition of theatre magic! The performance itself is said to be nothing short of captivating, even those with no experience in ballet will fall head over heels in love with the stories these ballerinas dance.

And trust me, there’s no better way to travel in 1888 than by steam train! Picture me in my darling pink tutu, seated on a plush velvet carriage, and a steam train hurtling towards St. Petersburg. That, ladies and gentlemen, is true ballerinalistic glamour, in all its majestic glory! Don’t forget to grab your tickets! And oh my, do bring some extra cash, the souvenir stands are positively overflowing with treasures!

See you on next week’s #TutuTuesday. Until then, don't forget to wear your brightest pink tutu!