Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! Emma here, back again with another edition of #TutuTuesday! This week, we're travelling all the way back to 1890! Buckle up, because it's going to be a wild ride! Just think: this was the year we were celebrating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, the year that the world saw the rise of electric lighting, the year... oh, and let's not forget, the year of some fabulous ballet costumes!
Right now, I'm standing on the hallowed grounds of the Palais Garnier in Paris. Can you believe it? I'm absolutely bursting with excitement, just standing in the very spot where some of the most famous ballets in history were premiered. I've popped on my most delightful pink tulle tutu, paired with a matching floral ribbon, feeling the romance of the 1890s flow through me!
Remember how I mentioned those fabulous costumes earlier? We're going to talk all about it today, because trust me, the tutu story gets even more exciting in the 1890s!
This decade saw a complete change in what a dancer wore. Remember the cumbersome, multi-layered skirts that ballerinas used to be confined to? The 1890s bid a grand goodbye to those heavy layers! Ballet began to see the rise of lighter and more practical attire. It's truly amazing how much focus came to be put on making ballet as aesthetically beautiful and practically elegant as possible! It's an era where femininity was celebrated to the absolute hilt.
In fact, it's a lovely coincidence that this very day - 16th of December, 1890 - the beautiful La Cigale ballet is premiering here at the Palais Garnier! This Parisian gem is a work that not only has the world's eyes on it for its magnificent storytelling, but for the costumes!
I've just had a chance to see some behind-the-scenes action before the grand opening, and oh, what a delight! It's a visual masterpiece of light, shimmering silks, delicate tulle and - what else could I possibly ask for? - loads and loads of pretty pink! It’s just like I’ve stepped out of a fairy tale and into a real-life theatre.
We've all got to be thankful for these ground-breaking changes in costume design. If they hadn't come about, you wouldn't see those impressive leaps, those delicate spins and the flowing grace of the ballerina in action. It's thanks to the practical revolution in ballet costume that we're able to appreciate such gorgeous art today!
To give you a glimpse into what it was like, I spent this morning at the beautiful Bibliothèque-Musée de l’Opéra de Paris! (Of course, no time traveller can resist the allure of the Parisian libraries!). What did I find amongst the incredible archives, you ask? The most beautiful sketches from the very early 1900s depicting those dreamy early versions of the tutu! Oh, it was enough to send me swirling into my own twirl of imagination. I felt the fabric whisper against my skin, as if I was gliding onto the stage right there in that magical place.
The sketches show an elegant ensemble of fitted bodices - imagine intricate lacing and dazzling embroideries, just begging to be adorned with glistening jewels. Now, think about a flowing tutu, one with wispy, flowing layers and enough ruffles to give even a rose a run for its money. But wait, there's more! These skirts were shorter, giving the ballerinas more freedom to express themselves with their dancing, allowing their every graceful movement to be a beautiful sight. And what about the colour? Well, picture delicate, pale shades, and even a pop of the prettiest pinks! Oh, the joy!
The costumes may have looked elegant, but it's crucial to remember that practicality was a key driver. With those longer, flowing layers, you just wouldn't get to see the beautifully detailed and intricate choreography of those legendary ballets. These changes brought more precision and flexibility for the dancers, giving them the liberty to explore their skills to the fullest! It was the moment when ballet began to shed the burdens of history, allowing those stunning grace and power to flow like liquid sunshine!
Oh, I know exactly what you're thinking - my lovely tutus! Of course, we've had tutus for ages, even way back in the 1830s and the 1840s. But, believe it or not, they had much less tu-tu to them! They were bulky, almost resembling a long, fluffy, frilled skirt.
And, my darlings, that is what's really changed! Think of those short, fluffy layers of tulle - and remember - they've become more fluffy and intricate. I'm just delighted at the way the shape has progressed into a perfect, swirling cloud of gossamer-like tulle. Just perfect to allow ballerinas to achieve such intricate movement and dazzling steps.
Think about the evolution of fashion; those layers weren’t about function, they were all about visual opulence, but at the expense of movement! These more practical 1890s creations freed the ballerinas, allowing their bodies to flow like elegant swans!
And speaking of flow, let's move on to a little bit of practical inspiration. I've got my trusty sketchbook with me, just brimming with fashion ideas to share with all of you! For instance, did you know the 1890s ballerina was a fashion icon of sorts? The silhouette of their dance wear became popular throughout all of fashion. Just think of the amazing lace accents that have gone on to influence our contemporary fashion trends. Oh, my favourite frilly sleeves and ruched hems, I see you in almost every piece of clothing I buy, thank you, 1890s ballet dancers!
I know all my lovely tutu-wearing friends must be itching to try out their own spin on this elegant fashion moment! It's easy to channel a bit of that Victorian fashion: try some pretty frilled sleeves or find that oh-so-perfect lace trim to give your dresses a dash of ballet chic! And of course, don’t forget to channel a little bit of pink for that ballerina touch!
And here's a secret from your favourite time-traveling ballerina: you know those wonderful floral headbands that are so trendy now? Those were the very thing they loved to adorn their hair with in this period. The 1890s are where we got that inspiration! A dash of colour, a touch of whimsy - it truly is just the most exquisite way to accessorise!
To finish off today's little adventure, I can’t resist sharing this delightful image that has truly warmed my ballerina heart! This photograph was found in the archives of The Paris Opera, a candid moment captured during rehearsal. A ballerina, in her perfect white tulle tutu and silky pointe shoes, is mid-step in a simple room with a very, very ordinary looking window. But what stood out for me were her simple movements, the way the tulle billowed and flowed like clouds - that picture is absolute magic, a perfect example of elegance, simplicity, and art!
So, my fellow tutus and dance lovers, don't forget: you can make any moment special, no matter the year. Remember - when you're twirling and whirling in your very own pink tutu, it’s just as magical as any Parisian premiere!
Don't forget to post a picture of yourself rocking that tutu fashion with the hashtag #TutuTuesday and maybe even add #1890sBallet and tag @pink-tutu! And don't forget to join me next Tuesday, for a new historical spin!
Until next time, happy twirling, Emma!
