Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, back from another fabulous trip through time with my trusty pink tutu! It’s Tuesday, so it’s time for another dive into our beloved Ballet Tutu History, this time taking us right back to August 14th, 1888.
I landed right here in London, in the heart of theatreland, ready for a whirl through history's fashion scene. The streets are alive with carriages and horse-drawn trams, and the air smells of coal smoke and horse dung - definitely not the sweet scent of perfume shops back in my Derbyshire hometown!
Oh my goodness, you just wouldn't believe the incredible fashions they're wearing here! Full, sweeping skirts with bustle backs - think an extra poof at the back for added flair! I must admit, there's a lot of drama to this look, and they wear them with such elegance. It’s not all that different from my modern day bouffant ballet skirt! Just wait till you hear what they’re wearing under those dresses!
We're here, my darlings, in the time of the famous ‘Crinoline era’, which lasted from 1856 to 1868. Crinolines? Those massive hoop skirts - absolutely stunning! And that's where the tutus begin! Well, maybe not quite… but those huge, layered petticoats under the skirts created the perfect framework for dancers' flowing costumes to work their magic.
For centuries, the tutus, or 'tutu’s’ as they would have been called then, had been primarily worn by men in opera ballet. Think those romantic, long flowing tunics of a male ballet dancer. In the early 1800s, Marie Taglioni, the 'divine’ ballerina who inspired tutus to reach their pinnacle, first appeared on stage in her ‘ballet skirts’ in London. This brought about a revolutionary change, leading to a lighter, shorter tutu to help showcase the ballerina's beautiful movements. A change that revolutionized ballet! The original tutus were created in white but with each change came new and creative combinations of colours! I particularly adore the use of colour that's popular these days. Imagine the delight of those first tutus with a splash of pink and lavender! A true delight to watch.
But here's a secret. Even before the reign of Marie, it was during this 1800s period, that ballet and dancing were truly flourishing. From the exquisite theatres of London to the grand opera houses of Paris and Milan, ballet was becoming a form of art appreciated by the masses. And my lovelies, that’s when those gorgeous tulle creations started their magic! The airy, delicate tutus, with their light layers and cascading grace, were born!
I did my own little bit of ‘Tutu Time Travelling’ earlier today and witnessed the awe in people's faces as the ballet stars emerged in these swirling, colourful delights. Think tutus with multiple tiers, frills and, in the very earliest ones, flowing and long, not yet shortened to knee-length, even touching the ground! Such majestic, fluid movements! Ballet was the epitome of grace, sophistication and just a touch of dramatic flair. The tutus became more than just a costume. They represented a spirit, an artistry that demanded not only technique but incredible strength. Think of those perfect poses, and the amazing way ballerinas would take the breath away from the audience!
Here's the real kick! Imagine these tutus weren’t created as simple everyday clothes like you and I might be wearing today. They were reserved for the elegance of ballet! No need for mass-produced polyester then, these were hand-crafted by artisans, using fine silks, lace and the most exquisite, billowing tulles imaginable! There were intricate patterns, detailed embellishments - every movement made a statement!
It's truly remarkable to witness the artistry that went into creating these beautiful tutus. It was more than just a dress, it was a piece of art - a representation of passion and creativity. Just thinking about it makes me want to leap, twirl, and then leap again! The spirit of those grand balls and the awe of watching talented performers dance is absolutely breathtaking.
So, for my little glimpse into this special date - August 14th, 1888, let's celebrate! And of course, let's celebrate our love for tutus. You could imagine if we're ever to get everyone in the world to wear tutus! The possibilities are limitless, darling, don’t you agree? But for now, enjoy a touch of elegance in your life, perhaps a little ballet in your week, and remember those magnificent tulle creations! Remember those gorgeous tutus that began to make ballet the exquisite, graceful art that we all know and love today!
Until next week lovelies! Remember to pop on your own pink tutu and embrace a little ballet magic! Don’t forget to tag your favourite #tutu photos using the hashtag #pinktutu, and don't forget to visit me over at www.pink-tutu.com!
Emma xx
