Hello my darlings!
Welcome back to my weekly journey through the glorious history of the tutu, and I'm so excited to be whisking you all away today to December 21st, 1875. This date holds a special place in my heart, as it was the day a certain Italian ballet icon was born - Carlotta Zambelli, later known as Carlotta Zambelli-Besanzoni!
As you know, my love for all things tutu is pretty much legendary by now. So, naturally, when I stumbled upon this little nugget of tutu history, I simply had to take a trip back to this particular time.
The 19th century was a time of immense change in the world of ballet, especially in terms of costumes, and that's exactly what I was keen to see. As always, I grabbed my pink tutu (you can never be overdressed when travelling through time, can you?!), threw my little diary into my travelling bag and boarded a train straight to Vienna!
Vienna - it's not all opera and Mozart you know. While the opera house was certainly impressive, what really intrigued me were the changes happening in the world of ballet in Vienna. Think about it - with its elegant salons and extravagant balls, Vienna was a hotbed of fashion! And that naturally seeped into the world of dance.
I was curious - just how much had tutus evolved since my first forays into this time-traveling journey? Would I see the same knee-length romantic tutus, or were we already diving into the shorter, fluffier Classical tutu we associate with the iconic ballerinas of later years?
My first stop was a visit to the Vienna State Opera. It was magnificent, I tell you! But let's talk tutus, shall we? The ballerina's outfits had definitely undergone some major transformations. Romantic tutus were still a common sight, though they were being pushed further up the legs and becoming increasingly lighter and more airy. I spotted a ballet titled “Coppélia,” and oh, the charming beauty of the tutus worn in this performance - the ethereal layers of white and delicate fabrics, each with intricate details. It really was a magical sight!
The tutus themselves were beginning to reflect a wider artistic expression. They weren't simply about elegance; they were a statement, a way of embodying the emotion and spirit of the character they were representing. A perfect example of this? The "Swan Lake." I saw it performed at a smaller, yet beautifully charming theatre called the Theater an der Wien. You wouldn't believe the range of emotions and styles we saw! I mean, we had classic Romantic tutus with layers of netting and delicate embroidery, but then bam! We got a glimpse of more streamlined, sleek designs, all thanks to the influence of dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa, whose revolutionary tutus would soon be taking the ballet world by storm.
As I journeyed back to Derbyshire, I felt truly enriched. Seeing the early seeds of the iconic ballet tutu - so perfectly designed to showcase the grace and athleticism of the dancers - truly ignited a sense of excitement in my own love for ballet.
I must admit, as much as I love travelling through time to see the evolution of tutus, there’s no denying I still prefer the modern take on the tutu. But, honestly, it's such an honour to appreciate the evolution of this fashion icon.
If you want to step into your own journey, grab a tutu (any colour will do! You can make it your own, dearie!), and get into the groove of your own life, be that a performance on stage, or in your own living room! It doesn’t matter - be proud to move in style, and don’t be afraid to experiment! Remember, your own journey is all that truly matters, and a tutu can help you create that!
Until next Tuesday, stay tutu-fully fabulous!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to check out the amazing array of tutu styles I found on this journey in my shop! Just follow the link above. Oh, and while you are at it, why not share a picture of your favorite tutu, don't forget to tag me #pink-tutu and tell me all about why it's your favorite!
