Hello my dearest tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! Iām back, this time, with a fascinating voyage through the world of ballet, bringing you closer to the tutus that captured hearts (and hips) way back in 1900!
As always, my pink tutu is positively buzzing with excitement, ready to share with you the magic and history of our favourite garment! I simply adore this era; a time of elegant innovation, where ballet was captivating the world, and tutus were finding their stride, becoming an iconic symbol of grace and movement.
But before we dive into the swirling fabric, let's take a quick moment to travel back! This week, my adventures have landed me in none other than Paris! The city of love, the city of lightsā¦ and a place brimming with creative energy in the early 1900s.
Speaking of brimming with energyā¦ let's chat about those delicious trains! I'm utterly smitten with steam locomotives; I can't tell you the joy I find in hopping aboard, settling into a plush armchair and whizzing across landscapes ā the journey is almost as exciting as my final destination.
Today, my trusty time machine delivered me to August 7th, 1900! In a twist of fate, this is also the very same date that marked the grand opening of the āThe Palais Garnier" opera house! You see, this isn't just a theatre, it's a spectacle of ornate, gilded grandeur, a celebration of the arts and the perfect venue for a world-class ballet performance! Imagine soaring ceilings, elaborate chandeliers, and, of course, the most elegant ballet dancers performing intricate and mesmerising steps - all in gloriously crafted tutus, the very topic we are diving into today!
Now, picture this: as I saunter through the elegant Parisian streets, I notice tutus adorning elegant ladies out for an evening promenade - yes! Our lovely tutu, once restricted to the stage, is now finding its way onto fashionable streets and capturing hearts across the social landscape.
We mustnāt forget though, back in this era, the traditional "tutu" that we see on the stage today was still in its early stages. It wasn't quite as the grand, voluminous confection you see adorning prima ballerinas today, but its structure and artistry were still present. Youād see more of the Romantic Tutu, which showcased delicate layers of tulle creating a floaty, cloud-like shape.
This delicate tutu is a far cry from its predecessor, the 18th-century version which was quite practical with its layers of silk and fabric (quite unlike today's ultra-lightweight tulle). What's interesting is that the early stages of the romantic era were less concerned with tutu shape, focusing instead on creating a romantic, graceful effect. They also experimented with colours, but Iāll let you in on a secret; it was still a fairly reserved palette ā light, flowing pastels, which beautifully mirrored the romantic themes and artistry of ballet at that time. But by the end of the 19th century, we see the shift in colours with more dramatic choices, adding to the spectacle of ballet performances.
What really sets apart a Romantic Tutu from today's grand "Classical tutu" (that incredible shape that we adore) is its use of an āover-skirtā, often made with heavier fabric. This addition made the shape appear longer and provided the dancers with an additional layer to move. So much to consider in the evolution of our favourite garment!
Now, back to those graceful dancersā¦ I imagine them in their delicate tutus, spinning like elegant snowflakes and creating magic with each intricate movement! It is almost too much to bear for this tutu-loving blogger!
To celebrate the legacy of ballet and its breathtaking costumes, I think we need to create our own little historical masterpiece! Imagineā¦ a swirling, whimsical collection, incorporating romantic and traditional tutu details into a timeless collection of pink!
I'm going to start sketching already ā imagine an elegant, layered tulle, a flowing fabric that feels like air, or a tulle skirt, creating a graceful swirl of tulle around the body. Perhaps some delightful ribbons, or subtle sequins that shimmer softly as dancers twirl and move. Itās already shaping up to be quite fabulous.
Before I hop back to my time machine and return to the 21st century, I want to leave you with a little reflection: As I stand here in 1900, with the intoxicating aroma of Parisian pastries and the soft strains of music echoing through the streets, I realise that while tutus have evolved significantly, the sheer elegance and magic of these garments have stood the test of time!
So, I encourage you, my dear tutu lovers, to join me as we continue our #TutuTuesday journey ā discovering history, exploring new avenues and keeping the passion for this elegant garment alive, one tutu, one historical time-travel escapade at a time.
Thatās all for today, tutu-loving friends, and remember ā donāt just stand thereā¦ twirl!
See you next week on #TutuTuesday!
Love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Post #3580
Important note: This blog post includes aspects of the real world history of tutus, and has been blended with creative ideas about the life of Emma and how she might weave her own ideas around this date. I hope you have fun with her time-traveling journey!
