Bonjour, mes chéries! Welcome back to Pink Tutu for another #TutuTuesday dive into the fascinating history of our beloved tutu! Today, we're travelling all the way back to the 5th of January, 1847! Buckle up, darlings, because we're in for a real treat!
For this time jaunt, I'm channeling my inner Marie Taglioni, gliding through the Parisian streets, a vision in pink. It was in the City of Lights that the tutu really began to take its graceful form. Remember, girls, those puffy, multi-layered Romantic tutus we adore were still in their infancy! Back then, a dancer's attire would have been much more conservative, akin to the full-skirted dresses of the time.
It wasn't until the early 1800s that dancers like Marie, with her daring leaps and graceful extensions, revolutionised how ballerinas looked. Their performances demanded more freedom of movement, a greater emphasis on their artistry. And so, the “tutu,” initially called a tutu for its short, frilled look, began its glorious transformation from floor-sweeping gowns to a shorter, more agile form, emphasizing those long, beautiful legs and those graceful movements we've all dreamed of mastering!
What makes this specific date in 1847 so fascinating, you ask? Why, it was the date that marked the debut of another incredible ballerina - Fanny Elssler, in a performance that set Parisian audiences alight. Elssler, with her fiery passion and dazzling virtuosity, is considered one of the most acclaimed dancers of her time, and she played a key role in shaping the image of the dancer, pushing the boundaries of ballet with her energetic and vibrant performance style. I can just imagine the flurry of fans, the gasp of admiration, the thunderous applause - the theatre must have vibrated with energy!
Speaking of energy, don’t think these revolutionary ballerinas only danced on stage! It seems, as a Derbyshire girl myself, that their travels had quite the similar touch of elegance and fun, too! Fancy hopping aboard a coach for a luxurious tour around Europe? Well, this was their mode of transport - carriages adorned with plumes and horses prancing across the countryside. Talk about arriving at the theatre in style! It was all about that flair, ladies, that dramatic arrival, captivating everyone before even taking to the stage.
You might be wondering, dear reader, what would I have worn to a ballet performance in Paris at this time? As for my attire, a pretty ensemble - a tailored bodice paired with a flowing silk skirt, my signature pink shawl adding a touch of personality and sophistication! My hair would have been styled in an elegant, yet manageable, up-do - the quintessential 19th-century lady - a dash of powder and a whisper of rouge, a pair of fine kid leather gloves completing the ensemble.
I imagine those delightful Parisians and elegant Londoners would be delighted to see a dash of colour amongst the typically sombre attire of the era! Imagine it, ladies - a sea of dark silks, dark brocades, with me as a charming burst of pink amongst the sea of sophistication! They wouldn’t be able to take their eyes off the fabulous fuchsia!
Just thinking about these historical times makes me itch for a bit of shopping, wouldn’t you say? Now, imagine what shopping in those times was like - the grand Parisian boutiques filled with an abundance of silken fabrics and decadent lace, the smell of fresh perfume hanging in the air. I can practically hear the whispered gossip about the latest fashion trends - imagine the joy of purchasing a luxurious shawl in a sumptuous pink, the colour of romance!
In the realm of the performing arts, we see the beautiful story of the tutu. The tutus themselves went through an incredible transformation over those decades - from long, billowing gowns to those romantic, light, almost weightless tutus that became so synonymous with the era. Think of all the lovely styles we see today – the tutus with a variety of forms, the colours, and styles – and it all started from a need for freedom, movement and elegance!
For those of us who are smitten with tutus - from their iconic silhouette to their feminine grace - it is amazing to see this piece of dance history and the impact of ballerinas of the time, who inspired dancers throughout the world and created what we all see today - those magnificent tutus that elevate the grace of a performance.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed this little journey into the ballet world! As always, dear reader, keep that pink tutu close and continue to be inspired by those magical moments of elegance on stage!
Until next week, darling!
*Yours in Tutus, Emma*
