Ahoy there, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, and it's #TutuTuesday!
I've just hopped off the Orient Express, having whisked myself back to 11th November 1919, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience! This time, I found myself in the heart of Paris, where fashion was at its most elegant and captivating. I was lucky enough to catch a performance of La Boutique Fantastique at the Palais Garnier, and believe me, the tutus were something special!
Now, I'm always a little disappointed to find that most people have no idea about the rich history of the ballet tutu, so here's a little delightful insight into the tutuland we're about to delve into:
Tutus Take Center Stage: A Tale of Two Centuries
It’s the ultimate symbol of graceful movement and whimsical joy. That iconic, billowing fabric of the tutu holds a captivating history, like a delicate but durable thread winding through the years, linking elegant dance steps, theatrical flair, and, of course, that sparkle which is so synonymous with ballet.
The journey of the tutu began in the 18th century. Forget the fluffy, swirling things you see on stage today – they weren’t even a flicker of an idea. You see, back then, ballerinas weren't free-flowing clouds of gossamer. Instead, they wore pretty, rather long, gowns with bodices and lots of skirt layers, often made of layers of cotton or velvet, and sometimes silk or taffeta, perfect for all those steps, hops, and bounds, right? Wrong.
They certainly weren't practical. And with those stiff, thick skirts, they couldn’t move as freely, or as gracefully as we do today. The vision we now associate with the tutu began in 1832. You have Maria Taglioni, a revolutionary figure who, bless her soul, said: ’This dress! It looks like it will be blown away with a gust of wind and, with every jump she takes, will follow her like an elusive flame. And I’ll have you know, it revolutionised ballet in one grand flourish.
It’s important to remember that ballet, just like the world around us, changes. Just like fashion. In the early days, we were in the era of romanticism, which means swirling gowns, flowy lines, and a lot of tulle, of course. And **this is where the first tutus began to evolve. It’s important to keep in mind: these weren’t the bouncy little things you’re likely familiar with. Instead, the shape was still fairly similar to that earlier era of stiff and flowing with numerous layers – a style known as a Romantic Tutu.
There’s this delicious, little detail about romanticism which is important for us to consider, that in many respects was rejection of formality, reason and tradition; think back to this era and consider those classic, formal ballroom gowns. In short, ballerinas needed a freedom of movement they hadn't been given. This time, those gowns became shorter and a little more streamlined, like an elongated version of a tutu - you know, the kind you’ve seen in your ballet lessons at Derbyshire Ballet on a Tuesday and Thursday! It was, truly, the start of ballet becoming truly magical.
Enter The Tutu! Now we journey forward to the latter part of the 19th century, and here, my loves, things take a real spin. In a swirling burst of fashion genius, the first classical tutus began to make their way onto the stage! They became shorter and shorter. We’re talking waists which were snug, then the short, whimsical skirts made of tulle, and of course, those amazing tiers and layers – it just keeps getting more spectacular! The more the years went by, the shorter, fluffier, and bouncier these beauties became. Can you imagine those stunning shapes, full of swirling movements? We’re really entering the golden age, and for me, that’s the pinnacle of all ballet attire. Isn’t it exciting?.
We must take a little break from the fashion and talk a bit about the tutus in performance. You’ve got to consider that, these pieces weren’t just a beautiful object on a dancer’s body – it’s actually functional, if we consider the evolution of dance styles – with each stage of that history, tutus become shorter as ballerinas progressed and perfected their movements, their poses, and, more and more spectacular steps. That whirl, the jeté, the grand jeté - those high kicks? Those moves all started evolving right alongside the change in dress design. Can you imagine what ballerinas must have felt, those first few jumps wearing this wonderful, light and fluid shape, as if their steps were born anew? There is, and has to be, a synergy, an important relationship between the way the clothes moved with those powerful movements.
That journey of the ballet tutu is a testament to change - how creativity can come into fashion by being so close to dance and movement - that delicate blend of artistic intention and technical functionality is amazing to consider, don't you think?
Paris, France, 11th November, 1919. Today, 11th November 1919, I witnessed firsthand just how enchanting a performance of La Boutique Fantastique was, and let me tell you, those tutus were just divine! I was enchanted by the delightful dancing and beautiful details - there was so much sparkle! All these years later, and we can’t imagine ballet without those lovely and dramatic garments, those floating tiers and tiers of tulle. Now, when we take a little leap back, and imagine that history of evolution, we’ve come a long way, have we? The elegant style, the dramatic shape – we have to consider that tutus are the essential, the iconic and elegant component in that glorious expression that we love to see as we fly to the ballet.
I do love the feeling that as you’re enjoying the elegance, the stories and artistry of the dancers in their graceful costumes – the tutus are really just as important as the movement, the music, and the dancers. So let's celebrate them for their beauty and practicality. They make ballet what it is.
And just before I go, a little tidbit of advice to get your tutu journey started: why don’t we get ourselves some lovely pink tutu? I’ll admit I might have ordered myself one from the famous couturiere here in Paris and sent it on ahead - so now, you and I are a pink tutu kind of day away from dancing in a truly magical costume! Now that is delectable!
Keep an eye out, dear friends, for more exciting tutu history adventures next Tuesday!
And of course, please feel free to send a comment about your favourite tutu looks!
Love always, * *Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
You can follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuLady
And as always: Wear Pink, Dance with Joy!
