Hello my darlings! Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballet blogger, bringing you another slice of tutu history from the archives of www.pink-tutu.com! Today we're hopping on a train, or perhaps a stagecoach if we're feeling a bit fancy, and heading back to the year 1858, a time when fashion was a little bit different and ballet was gaining even more popularity in those lovely Parisian theatres.
I simply adore the glamour and romance of that era, especially in the world of dance. While the modern tutu, that fluffy, layered cloud of tulle we all know and love, wasn't quite ready for its grand entrance, there were still plenty of exquisite dance costumes floating around, some even foreshadowing the tutus to come.
Today, November 30th, 1858, the most glamorous and fashionable Parisian society is preparing for a truly stunning evening. We're talking about the world premiere of the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris' "Le Lac des Cygnes", aka "Swan Lake"! The excitement, darling, was simply electric! Can you imagine being there for that premiere? I certainly can! A whole night of the most talented ballerinas on stage in their beautiful, billowing tutus, all swirling and leaping as they transform from graceful swans to captivating women! How magical is that!
But let's be real, darling. While "Swan Lake" was taking its first breaths on that stage, the real hero of the story is not necessarily the actual tutu, but the evolution of the ballet costume. See, at this time, it's still a long way off from our beloved, swirling, tulle masterpieces.
These costumes, although beautiful and elaborate in their own way, were a bit more fitted and resembled a ballet skirt with layers of frills. The skirt would have been constructed of many different layers of fabric, often silk, with varying colours depending on the choreography and scene, and it would be paired with a bodice that was very much in style with the fashionable corset-laced silhouette of the era. Imagine all that embroidery! Think swirling patterns of pearls, silk ribbons, and glittering beads, a whole constellation of elegance.
As the 19th century unfolded, these costumes continued to evolve, incorporating more volume and eventually shedding their fitted structure to become more like what we recognize as the classic tutu. The transition from the fitted silhouette to the airy cloud of tulle is a fascinating journey, marked by an evolving understanding of beauty and movement.
Now, don't worry, I wouldn't be Emma, the pink-tutu-loving time-traveller, if I didn't find a bit of pink even in this earlier period. Imagine, a dancer waltzing on stage in a flowing silk skirt, the edges trimmed with a band of pale, blush pink satin ribbon, or maybe the ballet master adorns the skirts of his ballerinas with a cascade of rose-coloured flowers - wouldn't that be simply enchanting?
Of course, no blog post about tutu history is complete without me mentioning the delightful influence of The Little Dancer by Edgar Degas. If you haven't seen it already, then my darling, you're missing out on pure magic! This stunning sculpture captured the heart and imagination of the art world for years, becoming an icon for graceful youth and movement. It is such an important reminder that even in those earlier times, ballet and dancers were so adored and appreciated.
Oh, and one thing that truly fascinated me while traveling through the ballet archives was that the tutu wasn't simply worn onstage! Imagine this - people in the late 1800s sporting tutus as casual day wear! While we might associate tutus with formal events today, in those days, they were considered a fashion statement, a symbol of elegance and graceful movement. Picture the scene - ladies gracefully strolling through a garden party, maybe a delicate luncheon at the Savoy or even going for a morning ride in a hansom cab, their outfits enhanced with a little extra tulle! Such fabulous freedom and style!
And it's true, darling. A tutu adds that touch of whimsy and elegance to every occasion. It's not about adhering to trends, it's about feeling fabulous and finding that extra sparkle to make the mundane magical! Now, wouldn't you agree?
But here's the thing - as exciting as the early tutu journey is, the most amazing thing about the ballet costume story is still to come. We'll get to witness the arrival of that quintessential cloud of tulle and the development of all the variations and shapes, from the delicate romantic to the magnificent and dramatic, and everything in between.
Stay tuned, darlings! This is only the beginning of our thrilling dance through tutu history. We have so much more to explore - new designs, styles, and groundbreaking trends are waiting to be discovered, so do pop back next week for the next installment of our fabulous tutu journey, where we'll discover even more exciting glimpses of ballet fashion history! And as always, remember, my loves, a pink tutu is the answer to life's most pressing question - How do I feel amazing and sparkle a little more?
Until next time!
Your devoted, time-travelling, pink-tutu-wearing, dance-loving blogger, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
