Hiya darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again with another blast from the past for your weekly dose of tutu history! Today we're stepping back to 1849-07-24, a day brimming with ballet history, but I have to confess, not quite as sparkly as some of our previous jaunts. 😉
Oh, and for those who are new here, or just need a reminder - my goal in life is to spread the joy of the tutu, to inspire you all to unleash your inner ballerina and embrace the twirling magic! Now, let's journey back to the Land of the Ballet, shall we?
It’s always an absolute joy to travel by train, and as I made my way to my destination for this week’s post, I was transported (pun intended!) back in time to the era of crinolines, bonnets, and the ever-growing popularity of ballet. And trust me, those crinoline skirts can be pretty tricky to navigate on a busy platform!
I am, of course, headed to the place where all the exciting ballet developments were happening. Oh yes, dear readers, this week we are heading to Paris, the heart of ballet at the time. Paris was buzzing with all things ballet - performances in gorgeous, elegant theatres, exciting new choreographers, and fashion being heavily inspired by the dancers, much like it is today!
This date in particular? It marks a particularly important moment in the world of ballet. You might say it is a turning point. On July 24th, 1849, one of the most famous Parisian ballet studios, the Académie Royale de Musique, closed down! It might sound boring at first, but think of the excitement this would have caused. In the world of fashion and theatre, the rumour mill was probably in overdrive! A change in power for one of the biggest studios meant opportunity! For the students, the teachers, and most importantly - the audience!
Now, this isn’t your average ballet history tale, darlings. We’re not talking about tutus yet. Think of this as the build-up! We're talking about a period where fashion literally shaped the way dance looked. Can you imagine a ballet in those massive crinoline dresses? Imagine that with shoes, pointe shoes! Well, no, you’re absolutely right, you can’t, because it’s nearly impossible. And it wasn't done. 😉 But in the period just prior to this, this kind of attire was all the rage. Thankfully, dancers started to reject the bulk and fuss of fashion and slowly embraced the lightweight fabric and movement of what is to become a modern tutu!
We can imagine these slightly lighter, more flexible pieces being worn by ballet dancers, perhaps, but it would have been far less "tutu-esque". A shorter dress would have made their movements easier, and it definitely influenced how choreographers and dancers came to imagine what they wanted.
It might sound like a small change but remember, everything in dance, and everything in life for that matter, has a domino effect. This date, 1849-07-24, marked a move towards a more movement-based art form.
Now, you may ask - what did I do to celebrate my Parisian visit on July 24th? Well, you wouldn't catch this ballet-loving traveller without attending an exceptional ballet performance, darlings! I snagged tickets to the Grand Théâtre de l’Opéra - can you believe the glamour? The whole theatre just exuded that pure ballet elegance, and you could feel the anticipation building amongst the audience!
For my post-theatre celebration, I treated myself to some gorgeous lace fabric (the kind perfect for embellishing your own tutu!) and a vintage silk hat in the prettiest shades of pink. It is all about those tiny details. You might not know, darlings, but some of the best boutiques and clothing shops in all of Europe were already in Paris. And there were all kinds of fabric shops and shops with ribbons and everything your little pink-tutu-clad heart could ever desire! 😍
Let's remember this particular time - before tutus properly took hold. This was a pre-tutu era, you could say! 😉 I can’t wait to tell you all about when it began! Just keep an eye out for my upcoming #TutuTuesday posts, where we'll dive deep into the origin story of the fabulous tutu.
And remember, dear readers, you are never too old to don a tutu and embrace your inner ballerina. So go on, put on that pretty pink frock and let those legs do the talking! Until next Tuesday, don't forget to spread the love of the tutu and keep those twirls twirling! 🩰
Emma x