Hello dears, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday blog! 🎀 This week, I'm whisking us back to a delightful time - 1865. It's all about exploring the exciting early years of the ballet tutu as we know it, when things were really starting to take shape (and twirl!).
I'm just back from an utterly fabulous trip to Paris - the capital of fashion and, of course, ballet! The excitement of arriving in Gare du Nord in my pink tutu was practically unbearable. The bustle of the city was thrilling, and my little pink ensemble seemed to bring a touch of joy to every passing face.
Now, you see, the real star of this period in ballet history wasn't just the dancing - it was the costumes! Think of it like a theatrical explosion of tulle, ribbons, and sheer loveliness! And we mustn't forget the colour, oh the glorious colour!
Back in the 1800s, the ballerinas had to have just the right kind of tutu, it had to be light enough to allow them to twirl and leap, yet sturdy enough to withstand all that spinning and leaping! Imagine trying to execute a grand jeté with a costume that drags you down. It's simply not done, my dears!
One of the leading names in this elegant revolution was, of course, Marie Taglioni. She practically danced her way to the top of the ballet world, all the while pushing the boundaries of what a tutu could be!
Now, if we’re looking at the specific details, 1865 saw the birth of the 'Romantic Tutu,' the tutu we know and adore today! And you wouldn't believe the amount of tulle that went into it - truly an abundance of loveliness! It was designed to emphasise the ballerina's grace and ethereal beauty, much like the legendary ‘La Sylphide’, where Marie Taglioni was simply a dream on stage, swirling through the air with that classic wispy, romantic tutu.
I was lucky enough to catch a performance of ‘La Sylphide’ while I was in Paris and let me tell you, it was breath-taking. Imagine this delicate creature of a dancer, clad in tulle so fine it barely looked real, swirling, leaping and captivating the whole theatre with every gesture! I tell you, it was utterly magical!
Just so you all have a little glimpse into this grand period, let’s go over a few details:
Tutu Trends: The romantic tutu had the look of a skirt of airy, lightweight tulle that reached to the knees. It allowed for unrestricted movement and emphasized the dancer's graceful lines. The colour, well, they were in all the beautiful shades, from creamy ivory to pale pastels - and the more frills and ruffles, the better! You know I'm a huge fan of frills!
Fashion Influences: The beauty of fashion in this period - the late Victorian era - was so full of elegance. Think about all those beautiful ball gowns and flowing skirts - these provided inspiration for the design of the tutu, bringing an elegant sensibility to dance attire.
What Makes this Tutu Unique? The romantic tutu is lighter than its predecessors. You have to think about the practicality for all those incredible feats of aerial artistry! It’s all about flexibility, lightness and grace!
How the Romantic Tutu Helped to Change Dance: It set the scene for ballet, revolutionising the art form with an airy grace and an emphasis on ethereal beauty. Think of the beautiful ballets of ‘Giselle’ and ‘La Bayadère’ – these are the classics that have shaped our modern ballets!
You see, the world of ballet, even in those earlier times, was a dazzling spectacle, a symphony of beauty and motion! With a nod to the beautiful costumes and their impact on the graceful ballet style, it's hard not to be utterly enchanted by the entire art form!
Well my lovely readers, that's all from me this week! Don’t forget to wear your pink tutus – because what could be more charming and delightful? 💖
Stay twirling,
Emma x
P.S. - If you’re wondering what happened on this day in 1865, I discovered that President Lincoln's body was escorted to Washington by steamboat, as he was on his way to Springfield, Illinois. We don't forget such monumental occasions - even though the history of ballet was creating a whole world of its own. 😊
