Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you another week of #TutuTuesday fun. It's always so exciting to delve into the history of ballet, particularly the history of the most delightful and charming garment ever created – the tutu! This week, I'm back in 1904 – think grand balls, gas lamps, and of course, gorgeous tutus. Buckle up for a grand journey!
Today, we're going to the Grand Opera House in Paris, which is the epitome of elegance and sophistication, don't you think? This is where ballet takes centre stage in all its glory. The 1900s in Paris are truly dazzling, the atmosphere electrifying with every graceful leap and pirouette.
But back to the tutu itself - have you ever wondered when and where these wonders of tulle were born? Well, this is the real meaty bit of our history journey and where my research is getting truly exciting. It was the French dancers in the mid-1800s who really began the tutu's journey towards stardom. Imagine all that tulle – just breathtaking, don't you think?
You see, before that, dancers used to wear these quite long, very very voluminous skirts which must have made it a little hard to leap about in. Thankfully, with the dawn of the Romantic era, and its celebration of flowing lines and lighter movement, the tutu arrived and it truly made the world of ballet much more interesting.
This era saw ballet as truly reaching for the stars! We were now seeing dancers like Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Cerrito, with the ultimate ballerina look: short skirts which would have been easy to kick around. Imagine! They would have been so fabulous, making such amazing leaps, looking as though they were floating around the stage, the colour and grace, just perfection. I'd love to have seen these ballets and witnessed them firsthand, wouldn’t you?
As my tutu twirls as I type (don’t you just love a bit of a good swish and a swash!), I’m really feeling transported by time back to this wonderful era. What do we have to thank these pioneers of dance for, for changing ballet forever? Why, it's all thanks to the romantic era of the 1830s and 1840s that we can now all marvel at these amazing and timeless looks in the 1900s, just like here at the Paris Opera!
So how can I describe the tutus themselves, what’s it like for you at home? Well, imagine this... delicate wisps of tulle – soft and wispy – and just swirling in all directions. It's truly beautiful – almost a magical transformation. It feels a bit like wearing a cloud, a real dance cloud!
Think about all the pretty colours, darling. White – always the classic – black, perhaps a touch of red and certainly lots of shades of pink, for that touch of romantic elegance! I’m rather partial to the rose and lilac myself. What’s your favourite colour of tutu?
If I could describe the feeling of wearing a tutu... you have no idea how it makes you feel on the inside. It’s pure exhilaration, just like how I feel now being here at the Grand Opera House in Paris! It really feels like I can soar!
However, you might not want to think about practicality – especially if it's a real windy day! You just can’t have everything can you?
Don't think about all that dancing though! The ballet that I’m here to see today is the incredibly magical La Sylphide, a work with lots of fluttery steps, beautiful movements – and I've just bought the most divine shawl to keep me warm during the interval.
Paris in March, even in 1904, is wonderful for the weather isn’t it? It’s still pretty chilly so that’s where my new pink cashmere scarf, purchased at Galeries Lafayette, really comes into its own! Do let me tell you – shopping is as essential as a good ballerina! But how much does a good outfit add to your sense of excitement? You can bet it’s all in the details, don't you think?
As for what's on the stage... La Sylphide, created in the 1830s and it truly represents the beauty of the early tutu era. We have so much to thank that beautiful garment for! Imagine ballet without it, how would we even begin? I can’t even imagine it. And so much thanks also to August Bournonville too who helped create that very romantic and dreamy ballet – with the ballerina swirling all around in the most magnificent and dazzling tutus. It’s truly a dream, don't you think?
But just before I get on the train back to my time, just a little bit more about this glorious garment… because where would we be without our #TutuTuesday time travel blog?!
So the little ‘paillette’ and the decorative tutu - this, dear readers, is a really rather new concept. The romantic tutu, as you'll probably know, is just simple layers of tulle, all around in circles, you just really have to love that classic, light airy and free flowing design – almost like it was just about to take off on a big ballet journey! But then in the later years of the 1800s came the tutu we now see in The Nutcracker or other big performances - the tutu that makes even more of a statement, you see?
What happened was, well they basically took this design of a really great tutu and created an amazingly more dazzling effect by attaching ribbons, spangles and all the amazing embellishments. That really came about because the designers just couldn't get enough of the lovely sparkle! It's the sparkle that really adds the wow factor don’t you think? You've probably got this kind of tutu in your ballet class? Isn’t that fantastic – especially when we look back to see where those designers have been?
Right then darling, so now let’s have a bit more about the date, the 15th of March, 1904, here at the Grand Opera in Paris – and this is where I must tell you all, about the beautiful ballerina named Isadora Duncan ! Oh I just love her so much, even the fact that she wasn’t quite in the same romantic ballet style as our other ballet divas, because you see Isadora was one for the expressionism - lots and lots of long gowns! She was famous for wearing beautiful silk and chiffon dresses for her flowing movements which felt very modern indeed. Just amazing and beautiful – it is such a thrill to think she was around the same time, wasn’t she revolutionary! Just think, what she might have made of our 1900s ballerinas!
Of course there were others on the Paris ballet stage back then as well. And we must mention the lovely French ballerina, Liane de Pougy, who must have been quite something – for both her acting and dancing, as well as being a great friend to writers like Oscar Wilde. Her look was always pretty amazing!
So there you have it, dear readers! Just as it always feels with my ballet journey through time… there's always another fantastic ballet and fabulous tutu to tell you about. The tutu story never seems to end, does it?
Oh and don’t forget I've added some new pictures of my latest pink tutu and shoes to my gallery! Check out my new outfit in pink with its gorgeous matching shawl! I’ll try and find some pics of all those wonderful Paris Opera stars from this time, as soon as I get back.
And remember my darlings, a life without a tutu isn’t worth living, so why not grab one and start twirling your way through the day. You know what, we must all be prepared to wear pink tutus - the world needs more of them! And now, on that very fashionable note, I shall head off back to Derbyshire - see you all next Tuesday. Happy twirling, my sweet readers!
XOXO, Emma
P.S Don't forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest ballet news and gorgeous photos. See you all there.
