Oh, my darlings! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another blast from the past on our journey through tutu history! I, your trusty time-travelling ballerina Emma, am back, and this week, I've set my pink tutu twirling sights on the delightful summer of August 23rd, 1898. Imagine the excitement, the possibilities!
Now, I must confess, dear readers, finding out about tutus before they were even properly tutus (you know, those glorious frilly beauties we adore) can be a little like navigating a minefield of corsetry and cumbersome layers. Thankfully, the fashion-loving, always-optimistic ballerina in me wouldn't let the frustration stop the hunt!
Today, we find ourselves in Paris, the beating heart of the fashion world. While our favourite fluffy tutu designs are still a few decades away, the seed for the iconic ballerina look was sown during this period. Just imagine – women still adorned themselves in layers upon layers of fabric, their waists tightly cinched, with very little emphasis on freedom of movement.
Think for a moment about the dance performances of the time, dear reader. The women had to wear heavy skirts, corseted bodices and intricate headdresses. No room for those grand leaps, no room for graceful extensions! The elegance we know and love would've been lost beneath all that cumbersome fabric.
Enter the “Tutu.” I'm using the term lightly here because they were much more like…a pre-tutu I suppose. We’re talking about the “tulle” and “tarlatan” fabric – yes, those names might sound familiar to you ballet aficionados! This era marked the transition towards lightweight and airy materials.
These lighter fabrics were primarily used in women’s underskirts. Can you picture it? These fine, airy garments gave ladies a more comfortable and less constricted appearance. It was a groundbreaking change, giving a little more freedom for those early ballerinas to step out of the traditional, restrictive clothing styles. I’ve even heard whispers of dancers being allowed to forgo some of the bulky garments, like corsets! Oh, to experience such progress first hand!
Of course, there's always a downside, even when it comes to tutus, dear readers. These "proto-tutus", though light, often ended up becoming very stiff, with the fabric being starched into incredibly rigid, sometimes geometric shapes, far from the beautiful fluid movements we expect of tutus today.
And on this day, August 23rd, 1898, amidst all the corseted ladies, there's a buzz in the air. The Paris Opera, oh the very home of many tutu wonders, has an incredible production planned! Imagine, a ballet set against the grand backdrop of the Egyptian myth, “Cléopâtre”! Just thinking about it fills me with glee. Imagine the costumes, the story, the emotions! Oh to have been there, watching those graceful dancers glide across the stage, showcasing the beginnings of what we know as ballet today.
I truly believe, my dear readers, that these were revolutionary times for ballet. This was a turning point in fashion, a time when we started to move away from restrictive attire and towards the beautiful lightness we see today. This was the time when the seeds for those spectacularly voluminous, swishing, frothy tutus we all adore were planted! It's hard to imagine those magnificent tulle tutus taking to the stage without those initial strides into a more comfortable and moveable style.
Next Tuesday, I’ll be bringing you even more exciting news from the world of ballet history. I'll be revealing just what was being worn, how ballerinas were pushing the boundaries, and what incredible pieces are waiting to be discovered.
As for me, I’m off to chase some delightful fashion bargains. And when I say “chase,” dear reader, I mean on my way to catch a performance of Giselle at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. (Did I mention I love going to the theatre?) If you're a ballet lover like myself, don't forget to pick up a few gorgeous accessories – and perhaps even try on a pink tutu! And until next week, darlings, keep on twirling!
Emma x
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