Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu-tastic. Today, we're taking a little trip down memory lane, a time travelling trip down memory lane, as it happens! So, hop onto the metaphorical train with me, because today's #TutuTuesday is all about the beautiful ballet tutus of the 19th century!
Before I gush about the 25th of April 1893 (oh, a rather glorious date!), I just wanted to remind you to keep your eyes peeled for the perfect pink tutu for your wardrobe! You simply must treat yourself, my dears!
This week's Tutu Travels have taken me back to the bustling city of Paris, the heart of fashion and dance. Ah, to be in Paris at the turn of the century! It's truly a dream come true. I'm whisking you to the exquisite Opéra Garnier – the stage, darling, the stage!
The year is 1893 and the Parisian ballet world is in a whirl. This day marks a special performance - La Source is being staged, a grand, glorious ballet with all the breathtaking leaps and spins your heart could desire. It is delighted I am to say the very costumes in La Source were quite revolutionary in the world of ballet. Imagine a ballerina in a lavish, fluffy skirt, the sheerest silk in every colour of the rainbow, sparkling with glittering jewels!
As the curtain rises on La Source, I’m lost in the beauty of it all. A chorus line of beautiful ballerinas in pale-pink tutus. Oh, how I adore pale pink. Such feminine perfection. Each graceful pirouette is an enchantment to behold, their tutus billowing around them like ethereal clouds. It’s quite mesmerising, darling!
As a devoted admirer of all things tutu, I'm naturally curious about how this stunning garment came to be. In the 1800s, my dears, ballet costumes were undergoing quite a transformation.
Take Marie Taglioni, the goddess of ballet, the very picture of femininity, lightness and elegance! You must know about her. If you don't then well...get reading my darlings, you mustn't miss out. This lady was famous for her ethereal appearance on stage and was largely responsible for what we now consider the standard ballet tutu!
You see, prior to La Taglioni ballet was all about a very different type of dress. The dancers wore long, flowing gowns with copious quantities of silk and ribbon. But the ballerina was restricted and bound by those cumbersome materials! In the early 19th Century a wave of revolution swept the world of ballet: Marie Taglioni brought to the stage the shorter tutu-a-la-Polaire - meaning "tutu like a pole", (it's very descriptive don't you think?) or tutu de jupe (a skirt tutu), to us.
It had more layers but was lighter than the older designs, revealing the leg line. Think about that! Now think about it with the graceful movement of dancers in tutus, those dainty and delicate ballet movements are a delight.
By the 1840s, the tutu de jupe became quite a fixture on stage, a truly remarkable thing when you consider how little this style of skirt had previously been used for the stage. It marked a new era, my darlings, an era where the ballerina's graceful and agile movements were now truly able to be expressed to full potential - with each pirouette a glorious dance with a light billowing, and almost ethereal tulle. A real delight. The tutu de jupe has remained ever since, though obviously undergoing several adjustments and innovations through the years.
Think about all those beautiful ballet performances and productions! All of them, every last one with these most remarkable and enchanting designs. Oh, darling, a little bit of ballet history has gone into these, but most importantly: a LOT of passion for the dance.
Let’s think about these amazing tutus, those beautiful billowing silks in all shades imaginable. There's truly an elegant artistry in it, don’t you think, a wonderful blend of beauty and freedom. And let's not forget the romanticism of the period - the perfect, almost fairytale element. The grand spectacle of the entire piece is only enhanced by this enchanting costume design, that's my view at least!
Speaking of enchantment, wouldn’t you love a lovely train ride, dear reader, to witness these fabulous performances yourself? Let's take a short train ride into the countryside, where we can find the best ballet schools and studios. We'll wander around the elegant, charming halls and watch some breathtaking young dancers perfecting their art. Can you picture it? You simply must try and attend a performance yourself and revel in all the amazing fashion on show. Just as I always say: the very best outfit is a pink tutu!
So there you have it, a little piece of history served with a delightful sprinkle of feminine whimsy! What do you think of the tutu de jupe, my darling readers? Does it spark the inner dancer in you, I do hope so! Tell me everything in the comments! I must dash, darling. My next Tutu adventure calls me, the journey is a constant delight, a journey to meet other kindred souls with whom I can share my passion for dance. A true blessing in my life! I'll be back next week with another trip through the amazing world of the tutu!
Until then, may all your pirouettes be perfect and may your tutus be deliciously pink!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com