Welcome back, my darling dears, to #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet tutu history! Today we’re travelling to a magical date: 4th September, 1849! Let's dust off our tulle, hop on a grand steam train, and journey back in time together!
This week, dear readers, we're off to Paris! Yes, Paris, the city of lights, love and, you guessed it… Tutus! 🩰 The air in Paris is practically electric with creativity, fashion and of course, dance. It's a city that knows how to make a statement with its clothes - and our tutus, well, they are simply divine!
Remember, it’s still very early in the history of the tutu as we know it today. While I, of course, wish everyone was wearing a delightful pink tutu as they rush to the theatre, we're not quite there yet!
You see, the ballerina skirts we see today evolved from the 'tutu' skirt worn by the actresses of the opera and theatre during the Renaissance period! The 'tutu' meant “something that puffs out” at the time. Fancy, eh?!
Here on this date, in 1849, at the Theatre du Gymnase, a very important thing happened: they've debuted a new ballet by Jules Perrot, called "Ondine" (pronounced On-deeng), which we all adore today for its lovely tutus! Imagine - flowing layers of tulle, all fluttering and swaying with the dance moves!
Can you picture the gasp in the audience as the dancers grace the stage in this lovely fashion?! Honestly, they probably look almost like we wear them today, especially for the ethereal nymphs! I feel all flutters of excitement just thinking about it, wouldn't you agree?
As I said before, the tutu at this time has not yet taken the form that we’re most familiar with, but it's certainly taking its shape! This "Ondine" production showcased beautiful flowing white skirts. While this isn't exactly the same as my beloved pink tutu (which I believe would have them utterly swooning!), you can see the inspiration right?
These delicate, flowing skirts are not only becoming popular but they're empowering the dancers. They allow for an entirely different movement style! Suddenly the dancers have a chance to truly showcase their incredible skill. And this, my friends, is essential to our tutu evolution.
Oh, but there's more, my loves! Did you know this "Ondine" is also full of important things - romanticism and magic! (Honestly, the themes of ballet are all about these very things, and tutus just add to it all). This "Ondine" ballet also made history because of a new and *controversial design detail - the 'la pointe' style! Can you imagine wearing the pointe shoes on stage? The idea of dancers being on their tiptoes, seemingly floating with ease and grace is certainly inspiring! I can't even begin to imagine the stamina, strength, and technique these beautiful dancers need to carry this off!
But think of it this way, every new thing starts with a spark. These "Ondine" ballet dancers have given us so many important moments in fashion. In a way, it's because of them, their vision, and their passion, that I get to have my vision and wear my beautiful pink tutu, a creation that is entirely based on them!
Speaking of my darling pink tutu, I simply cannot wait to travel and wear it to more shows! The journey to get there, the lovely carriage ride through the Parisian streets, the exciting moment I step out on the Parisian platform... all magical, my darlings!
And oh, the shopping, don't forget the shopping! 🛍 All of those grand fabric stores and fashionable boudoirs are ready and waiting! (Especially in this fashion capital of the world).
I bet if you saw my Pink Tutu, you'd all want to wear it! I wouldn't be surprised if my tutus soon have Parisian ladies all across the world saying "bon jour" to them too. Maybe they'd be a little different from mine... they'd have to be. A pink tutu for everyone isn’t possible yet, but with all the history and change in our midst, we are just on the brink of something fabulous.
Don't you agree?
So there you have it, darlings! Join me again next #TutuTuesday where I'll be venturing deeper into our journey, sharing more magical tutu history with all of you!
See you all on my blog, pink-tutu.com every Tuesday!
P.S. I just found this adorable pink fabric from the Parisian markets. What do you think of it? 😍 I can just imagine it in my tutu design!
Emma,
your devoted pink tutu blogger.
(P.S. Emma travels in time by earning money as a ballet dancer herself in both the Victorian Era and her own time.)
