Bonjour, darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind journey through time, this week landing in the heart of Paris, circa 1890. Now, you know Iâm all about tutus, right? And even in this pre-modern ballet era, tutus, in a form of sorts, already held a special place on the Parisian stage! But get ready for some twists and turns in our story of tutu history, because the tutu we know and love is a long, slow burn...
You might be surprised to learn that while the âtutuâ as we know it today wasnât fully around in 1890, there were some fascinating early prototypes already enchanting the audiences at the famous OpĂ©ra Garnier, just around the corner from my little pink hotel. Think romantic ballerinas like Marie Taglioni floating across the stage, but not yet in our iconic tulle masterpiece!
Instead, their "costumes" (that's how they were called back then) involved layers upon layers of delicate fabric, flowing around the ankles and making that "swish-swish" noise that we all love so much when a dancer turns. You see, the original "tutu" was more of an evolution, building up in layers over time.
On this date, 20th of May, 1890, I ventured to the Opéra Garnier to see a performance of Giselle, a ballet about love, loss and a betrayed heart. The costumes were incredible: long, billowing gowns of white and gold, intricately embroidered and beaded, giving those Romantic ballet heroines a graceful and almost ethereal quality.
Now, this is where it gets interesting: These dresses were super restrictive, made of many heavy layers of fabric, hindering free movement! Remember the beautiful leaps and grand jetés you see on stage today? Those were a far-cry in this era. Dancers of the time had to rely more on controlled artistry and grace within a limited range of motion. Can you imagine dancing like that?
Fast forward just a few decades, and you start to see those layers gradually shrinking and getting lighter, ultimately leading to the streamlined, tutued beauties of the 20th century. That change had everything to do with progress in fabric production and tailoring. The development of tulle, lightweight and incredibly graceful, allowed dancers to finally fly on stage. Isn't it incredible what technology can do for our beloved ballet?
Of course, I couldnât leave Paris without a bit of shopping. Even back then, Paris was a shopping mecca for exquisite gowns and, naturally, those beautiful tulle creations that were gradually making their way into fashion. They weren't tutus, not quite, but these layers of tulle, light as feathers and delicate like snowflakes, were a sight to behold.
In my tiny flat, perched high above the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es, I carefully examined every detail, picturing those early ballerinas twirling in them, taking their first tentative steps towards the tutu we all love today. I even managed to purchase a few yards of beautiful silk tulle â perfect for my next crafting project, of course!
As I tucked those treasures away, I felt a surge of excitement for the future of ballet. Who knew the evolution of the tutu was going to be such a fascinating tale? You just wait and see, my dear readers. Next week, Iâm off to visit London and discover more secrets of this enchanting world, where tulle truly took flight.
So, darlings, make sure you pop back next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday blog, as we explore more magical moments in this delightful, swirling, oh-so-pink ballet world. Until then, donât be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina and experiment with your own pink tutu styles! The world needs more pink, you know?
Bisous,
Emma
P.S. Do you have a favourite ballet moment from a particular era? Let me know in the comments below and share the inspiration! Let's bring back that vintage elegance to modern fashion!
