Hello my darling darlings! It's Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu enthusiast, and it's time for another thrilling trip through the history of the most magnificent dance garment ever invented: the tutu! ✨ Today, we're twirling our way back to the 14th of February, 1893, just a little over 130 years ago. 🕰️ I have a feeling this one is going to be a real showstopper!
Before I spill the beans on all the exciting tutu news of the day, a little bit about myself and how I, well, get around. As you know, I have a little obsession with the colour pink and all things ballet – tutus especially. So, it will probably come as no surprise that my blog is dedicated to celebrating the iconic history of the tutu and its continued relevance in the world of dance. You might also know that I'm a bit of a time traveller, flitting around different eras to discover all the fabulousness the past has to offer, particularly in the world of fashion and theatre. But, how you may ask, does a simple ballerina like myself afford all these travels?
Well, it’s all thanks to my other love: performing! Whenever I need to top up my travel fund, I whip up a new ballet routine and put on a show – usually for charity – with the funds always being just enough to keep my travelling shoes going. 💖 This time around, however, I had a truly special opportunity – I managed to score a last-minute role in the ballet ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ in none other than the magnificent Parisian Opera! Imagine – a ballet performance right in the city of fashion and dance – just divine!
Anyway, let's get back to our lovely 1893 tutu time capsule. Picture it, darlings: gas lamps, horse-drawn carriages, and the faint scent of horse manure mixed with the intoxicating perfume of lavender wafting through the streets. The ladies wear long skirts, lace and bustles, and hats with delicate feathers. We are, of course, in Paris, and if there is one thing we love more than our daily croissants and coffee, it’s our dance shows! ✨
The Paris Opera is the epitome of glamour, a truly stunning and historic theatre that has witnessed countless breathtaking performances, but the thing we're really interested in today is… the tutus! 🩰 You may not believe this, but the tutus we see on stage today are a bit different from the early designs. Back then, there were mostly two types of tutus: the romantic, and the later, shorter ‘tutu à la grecque’ - more commonly referred to as a 'classic' tutu.
The Romantic Tutu: It’s long, flowing and billowing, perfect for pirouettes and the expressive, ethereal dances popular in the mid-19th century. It would have been made from multiple layers of tulle with the romantic ruffles falling down past the ankles in a sweeping cloud. Oh, I can just imagine twirling around in one! 😍
The Classical Tutu: And then there is the classic – this one is, dare I say, a little bit more practical than its romantic counterpart, if you can believe it! 😊 The 'tutu à la grecque', introduced by Carlotta Grisi in 1841 in 'Giselle,' was much shorter, revealing the legs more clearly and was perfect for the faster, more demanding choreography that started to take centre stage at the time.
The 14th of February, 1893, marks a special day for our favourite tutu tale. Can you believe, that over 130 years ago on Valentine’s Day, we saw a ballet featuring a very early, innovative version of what we today call a ‘ tutu à la grecque.’ It is recorded that it was at the Grand Theatre de Genève and in the opera ballet of ‘Le Lac des cygnes’ which meant ‘Swan Lake’, a performance dedicated to our favourite swans! 🦢 It’s quite incredible to imagine just how far our tutu has come. It is truly an amazing piece of history, reflecting its time and captivating audiences from the very first steps to its modern variations.
Let me tell you, my darling darlings, that nothing is more glamorous than watching a ballet performance in one of the great theaters of the world. Even now, when I’m watching these exquisite shows, I often get lost in imagining how different things must have been 100 years ago and how the performers were experiencing things. ✨ Seeing a ballerina twirl across the stage in a classic, billowing tutu fills me with the purest joy – I simply adore them! 💖
*Oh, and don't forget, next week I'll be sharing some fun and glamorous ideas on how to make your own tutus, right here on www.pink-tutu.com. Don't be shy - grab your favourite tulle and let's get twirling! *
Stay lovely,
Emma
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