Hello my darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller Emma, back for another Tuesday treat in the wonderful world of ballet and its magnificent tutus. Today we're journeying back to 1889, a year filled with exciting innovations, daring creations, and oh yes, plenty of tutu loveliness!
Let's board the train (my favourite mode of transport - so glamorous!) and head off to Paris. The City of Lights is bursting with excitement and change, especially when it comes to the world of dance! Think of the romantic, ethereal creations swirling onstage - the tulle so delicate, the silhouettes so elegant. It’s enough to make even the most stoic soul feel like twirling!
Speaking of twirling, let’s get down to business! What were tutus like back in 1889?
Well, the ‘Romantic era’ tutus that you've all grown to adore - those billowing, long-skirted wonders that really put the 'drama' into dance - were still quite fashionable! But, whispers of a change were brewing. The ballet world was on the verge of an exciting transformation, moving away from the pure grace of the Romantic period towards a slightly different aesthetic, known as the 'Late Romantic'.
In this new age of ballet, a subtle shift in style emerged - less flowing, a bit more compact. Tutus were becoming more fitted at the waist, and the emphasis started moving toward highlighting the dancer’s figure, almost like a sculpted statue! While tutus continued to showcase those beautiful layers of tulle that I adore, there was now a greater emphasis on showcasing the line and flow of a dancer’s movements.
You might see, even now, how this era was the perfect time to introduce some shorter tutus - shorter tutus? What a wild thought! (Spoiler alert - this is going to be a HUGE thing very soon).
1889 was also a year filled with captivating ballets! Imagine yourself being whisked away by a symphony of graceful movements and dazzling costumes in Marius Petipa’s “La Bayadère,” for example. Now that was a true fairytale spectacle!
In my last post we talked about how the 19th Century ballet was the peak time for this very important and traditional ballerina dance dress that we love so much - The Tutu! There's nothing that shouts out the magic and ethereal nature of the art more than those layers and layers of fluffy tulle. Even today, every ballerina will want a new beautiful tulle to swirl on stage in!
Now I’ve got to whizz back to 2023! But first, as I bid you adieu, here's a thought - just how does one achieve the perfect ballerina bun? The kind that makes even the most modern, street style ballet dress, with the cutest of ballet flats and leggings, seem oh-so elegant? Let's discuss!
See you next Tuesday for another exciting trip in the history of ballet. Until then, don’t forget to make sure your tutu game is strong! And maybe, just maybe, don a splash of pink!
Much love, Emma
