Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink is always in season and a tutu is never out of place! It's me, Emma, your resident pink-loving ballerina blogger, and today we're whisking ourselves back in time to February 26th, 1889, to delve into the glorious world of ballet history! This is blog post number 2983 on www.pink-tutu.com, so do let me know if you are new here and where you are from. I have my time travel travel funded by ballet performances, so I can travel back to explore history and its fabulous tutus and outfits! My mission is to bring a touch of pink magic and ballerina joy to every corner of the globe.
Now, settle in, grab a cup of your favourite tea, and let's embark on a whirlwind journey to the grand theatres of 1889, a time when ballet was captivating audiences with its elegance and beauty. Today's date was a Wednesday this year!
Imagine it, darlings. Paris, the City of Lights! I stepped off the train, my crisp white lace gloves pristine and my heart filled with excitement for all the fashionable finds that awaited. I'd travelled straight from London to see what all the buzz was about in the world of ballet here. The fashion scene here was intoxicating! Paris was truly the epicentre of fashion at this time. It was so exciting to see the haute couture and haute culture together. I am a massive fan of both and am absolutely captivated by the creative inspiration that occurs in both spheres.
Let's dive right in!
1889: The Evolution of the Tutu
February 1889 was an exciting month in ballet history! It was the month of Carlotta Grisi's famous 'Giselle' performance in Paris. And when you say the name 'Giselle' in ballet, we think tutus. In particular, the romantic, billowing white tutu. This is where things really start to get interesting! As the Romantic era swept through the world of ballet, it had a profound impact on the design of the tutu. The tutus became lighter and airier. A departure from the stiff and cumbersome tutus of previous eras. Now we start to see this gorgeous romantic era ethereal lightness and movement in dance and tutus.
Imagine a swirling sea of white tulle that just seems to melt into the air. A tutu made from layered silk gauze and soft feathers with that magical fluffy tulle that just feels like it was made for dreamy dancing. Oh my goodness! It must have been absolutely breathtaking! I must try to create a similar piece at some point. Now, imagine Carlotta's dramatic portrayal of Giselle, this is what I am picturing, the quintessential white tutu billowing as she dances, a symbol of love and passion. I'd give anything to have seen this, although my own performances must be fairly incredible because I managed to travel to this period, so that's my version of time travel ballet therapy! It certainly was worth a trip, and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
You can see, even in the later part of the 19th century, the world of ballet was evolving. Imagine, dear readers, that in 1889, it was the ballet companies that really led the fashion scene! So glamorous! You could feel the passion for the artform all around you in Paris.
Let me share something very important. We wouldn't see the classical, "layered tutu" for several years until 1894. This famous ballerina "La Belle Otero" became known for this type of tutu and the shape of the tutu stayed as we know it, until the 1930s! What a beauty that La Belle Otero was! And a total fashion icon, too! A must for any ballerina! I must get myself over there soon, maybe do a street performance in that incredible district! Oh, that is a fantastic thought, a tutu ballet street performance in front of the Parisian fashion stores. A magical combination!
So there we have it. A brief glimpse of the tutu from February 1889 !
And finally, darlings, I can't leave you without sharing my little Parisian treasure trove! It wouldn't be a Tutu Tuesday blog without some lovely tutus, right?! I am currently making my way back to Derbyshire with a beautiful pale blue satin-covered, tiered tutu from a shop called ‘La Boutique du Danseur’ in the heart of the fashion district! It will go wonderfully with a bright pink and blue striped top and I can't wait to show you my outfit for the ballet performances in the Derbyshire countryside later this month! You will love this vintage ballet, it will be a truly authentic Victorian time piece. It is going to be a must see event for any ballerina!
Follow my pink-tutu blog every week! Don't forget to follow my instagram @pink-tutu too, you'll be the first to see the photos of the Derbyshire performances in full pink-tutu fabulousness.
See you next week!
With Love and Tutus,
Emma
x
Don’t forget, wear your pink tutu!
I think I would also wear my tutu and maybe a big pink bow! How fabulous would that be to be doing my blog about ballet history in an 1889 style pink tutu with a big pink bow, and of course with a pink top underneath a long beautiful coat? The most magical ensemble to wander the cobblestone streets of the Victorian era, that would be a time travel experience like no other!!
