Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving blogger Emma here, back again with another instalment of your weekly dose of ballet history! And oh my, do I have a treat for you this week. This Tuesday, the 24th of December, we're going on a truly enchanting journey back in time, to the era that birthed the tutu itself - the glorious Romantic Ballet.
Buckle up, my loves, because we're going on a magical, glittering train journey to Paris, the city that pulses with the rhythm of the tutu's heart! The date is December 24th, 1841, a crisp, Christmas Eve in the City of Lights, and I'm perched in a plush train compartment, clutching my copy of 'Giselle', the ballet that practically wrote the rules for tutus as we know them.
It's the very day that this masterpiece debuted, and you can imagine the excitement bubbling like a cauldron of magical potion in the air! Imagine, if you will, a bustling Paris with frosted windows glowing in the twilight, carriage lamps illuminating cobbled streets, and the aroma of roasted chestnuts filling the air. It's a setting almost as fairytale-esque as the ballet itself!
The Evolution of the Tutu:
Before 'Giselle' waltzed onto the scene, ballet dancers donned much more restrictive attire. Think heavy, voluminous skirts with lots of fabric swishing around – not the epitome of grace and lightness you see on stage today!
However, when the legendary ballerina Carlotta Grisi needed a costume for her role in 'Giselle', things started to change! The ingenious costume designer, Paul, decided to strip the cumbersome skirts back to their core, using a mere layer of white tulle, cut just above the knee and held up with a series of little ties.
That's how the tutu we know and love today came about, my darlings! And wouldn't you know it, 'Giselle' not only swept the Paris audience off their feet with its poetic storytelling, but also sparked a fashion frenzy!
Why the Tutu Became a Fashion Staple
So, why did this new kind of garment instantly capture the world's attention? Think about it - the tutu symbolized the very essence of freedom, airiness and movement. Gone were the cumbersome skirts that limited their leaps and twirls, replaced by a feather-light fabric that allowed for elegant and graceful performance.
Think of all the amazing innovations! The 'tutu', in its simplicity, revolutionized what audiences thought a ballerina should be, giving them the chance to leap, dance, and express themselves like never before. It was revolutionary!
A Christmas Gift for Ballet Lovers
As we sit on the train, chugging along the Parisian railway lines, I can almost imagine a younger Carlotta Grisi gazing out at the lights and dreaming of the future of ballet. Who knew that on that December 24th, she would be the harbinger of a fashion revolution that would resonate with ballet fans across the globe for centuries to come?
Well, there you have it, my dears! A little trip down memory lane to the Christmas Eve that gave us the tutu. Don't you just love how the past connects to the present in the most beautiful, ethereal way?
A Tutu Inspiration for you!
So, I ask you, darlings, what is your favorite tutu moment? Tell me in the comments below! Is it the lightness of a pirouette, the dramatic flair of a grand jeté, or the simple elegance of a ballerina's pose? Let your love for the tutu shine bright!
And, don't forget to share this post on social media, using the hashtag #TutuTuesday. Don't be afraid to share photos of your own beautiful ballet moments! Because for us tutu enthusiasts, the best way to celebrate the tutu's magical journey is by wearing our hearts, and our tutus, on our sleeves!
Until next Tuesday, my dears!
Love,
Emma
xx
PS: This festive season, why not spread the tutu joy and gift a loved one a magical ballet performance, or even a pink tutu to inspire them?
(For the purposes of the story, the next Tuesday, December 31st, would be a holiday where Emma is busy at home in Derbyshire).
