#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1865-04-11

Bonjour mes chéries! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-adoring blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday instalment of your weekly dose of ballet history. Buckle up, darlings, because today we're hopping on the Orient Express (with a tutu, of course!) to take a journey back in time to a most interesting era - the 1860s!

Can you believe that in 1865, Paris was the undisputed heart of the ballet world? Now, if we were to fast-forward to the modern day, we'd find London with its vibrant Royal Opera House holding court in ballet land. But, dear readers, this is all part of the fascinating evolution of our beloved ballet, isn't it? And believe me, there was a whole lot of 'grand' going on in Parisian ballet during this period. The romanticism and opulence of the era shone through every detail, from the lavish set design and elaborate costumes to the graceful ballets themselves. It was a truly exciting time to be a ballerina, or for that matter, a ballet aficionado!

We might be talking tutus here, but history buffs - don't worry, we're not forgetting the world outside the dance studio. Today is 11th April 1865, and the world is holding its breath as it witnesses a watershed moment in history - Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, was assassinated in Washington D.C. He was a visionary leader, a true inspiration. But back in my own time period, 1865 was all about ballerinas and, believe me, these lovely ladies knew how to create an unforgettable performance!

The 1860s was the dawn of the tutu as we know it. Gone were the cumbersome and restricting 'romantische' skirts that dominated the earlier stages. In their place arrived a beautifully graceful and streamlined silhouette! Ballerinas now had much greater freedom of movement and could dance with much more ease. The shortened tutu was now more popular than ever, making a huge statement with its layers of tulle, fringes, and a flourish of decorative detailing, which, naturally, I would have been quite thrilled by!
The tutu in the 1860s would have been crafted from tulle - delicate, airy, and light. There's something magical about it, don't you think? This light fabric allowed for fluidity in movements, and just look at those flawless leaps and graceful twirls. It wasn't just about the fabric, though, but also about those beautiful shapes - and, yes, the tutu played a major part in defining these shapes! There were the iconic bell-shaped tutu which highlighted the ballerina’s long legs and athletic build, the fuller layered 'pagoda tutu' , or the smaller and more streamlined 'waist' or 'classical tutu', all of which have found their place in the ballets we love today.

The theatre, dear readers, is where it all happened! A theatre was the place for it. Ballet was not just an artistic expression, but an exciting social event. It's like going to a premiere of a film today, only much more elaborate! Ladies would wear long, glamorous ball gowns with lace and ruffles galore, all adorned with beautiful jewels. This, naturally, was the time when opera glasses became de riguer! I do love an opera glass, and the fashion was just exquisite, just as a ballet must be! The theatre was a platform for spectacle and glamour - and you bet, the ballerinas weren't going to let this opportunity go unnoticed.

When it comes to my passion for the details, I'm always fascinated by the little things, such as those intricate and oh-so-feminine hand-stitched details, the delicate hand-made lacework, and even those pretty ribbons and bows. And the tutus themselves! With all that elaborate fabric - imagine how many hours would be spent sewing those tutus by hand. It must have been truly breathtaking! A labour of love, I imagine, in an era where things were made to last!

Now let’s take a moment to look at the beautiful journey of the tutu - think about how much our tutus have evolved since the 1860s! Back in the 1860s the tutu would have had fewer layers of fabric - not quite the multiple layers that some ballerinas can sport today. And you won’t see ballerinas twirling around in those full tutus we’ve seen on modern day ballet dancers. Imagine having to jump, turn, and balance all those extra layers of tulle!

But one thing has always stayed constant – those sparkly fabrics. A dash of gleaming sparkle and a sprinkle of shimmer have always been a much-loved detail of every ballet, adding magic to each performance!

### The Beauty of Dance...and Clothes

A tutu is much more than just a garment – it is an artistic expression in its own right. The ballet tutu is the embodiment of the delicate dance, the fluidity and beauty of every step, and of course, those breathtaking movements! For the true devotee of dance and beauty, there's no other dress that holds such an intrinsic meaning and joy. Just as our tutu goes through many styles and trends throughout history, so too does our clothing. Each decade, even each year, brings something new. I adore following those fashion trends, from the graceful silhouettes of the 1950s to the vibrant colours and geometric shapes of the 1960s, or those dazzling maxi dresses and those wild styles that made the 1970s such a blast! I must admit that I even look to those bygone styles and take some of my favourite details to design my very own ballet wear! If only I could share those design notes with some of my favourite Parisian tailors of 1865! What fabulous clothes they'd create!

This is what I really adore about dancing – its timeless, artistic and glamorous nature. It moves us, it makes us laugh, it brings joy to all, and for those who really appreciate it, it is a work of art and it touches our very souls. There is magic and beauty in a ballet performance - from the way a dancer pirouettes gracefully to the gentle rustle of tutu. And it's so easy to share the beauty of dance with all of those we love. That's why my goal in life is to bring the world together, one tutu at a time! If I can spread the beauty of dance to every corner of the world, and, if we could just convince every single person to wear a pink tutu... well then we would really make this world a more colourful, vibrant place. I will be back next week for another Tutu Tuesday - I promise there's more pink, glitter and ballet history in store! Until then, keep spreading ballet love.

Emma