Hello my dearest tutu lovers! Emma here, back again for another journey through the wonderful world of ballet tutus. Today, my fellow twirlers, we're whisking ourselves back to the year 1880, January 27th, to be precise. It's chilly out there but inside, in the warmth of the beautiful Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, there's something magical brewing.
As the wind whips outside, I'm already in the stalls at Drury Lane, ready to be captivated by the performance of the evening - the gorgeous La Esmeralda by the renowned M. Petipa. Ooh la la, this production, with its dramatic storyline of a gypsy girl and her unfortunate love life, is going to be absolutely thrilling.
Speaking of dramatic, let's talk tutus, my dears! The tutus of the late 19th century are just heavenly! We’re in the era of romantic tutus, think airy layers, soft flowing fabrics, and ethereal shapes. They’re so much lighter than their earlier counterparts, allowing the ballerinas to soar through the air with elegance and grace. They really embody the ethereal beauty of ballet itself, don’t you think?
The ballet skirt for this production is what’s known as a "Romantic Tutu", and I’m head over heels in love with it! These tutus have a deep bodice and several layers of very fine, almost sheer tulle that's meticulously arranged to give a graceful, wispy, almost dreamy look. It's a tutu fit for a princess, or maybe even a beautiful and tragically lost gypsy girl!
Now, before I get too carried away, let's dive into the history a bit, shall we? You see, my dears, the tutu we see today, especially those elegant romantic ones, took some time to develop. The first tutus weren't so ethereal and light! Back in the 1700s, the ballet dancers, even men, were basically wearing pretty long, almost bell-shaped dresses called “demi-trains” ( think Cinderella before her fairy godmother! ). This really hindered movement, limiting those leaps and pirouettes we love so much.
Luckily, the tutu started changing! The late 18th and early 19th centuries saw a trend towards a shortened, more movement-friendly skirt that just covered the legs – very exciting! The shorter tutu freed dancers and became a symbol of progress and innovation in ballet. And of course, with freedom of movement, new, incredible choreography came to the forefront!
You know me, I can't talk about a good ballet show without also exploring the fabulous fashion of the period! You’re in for a real treat! * Think elegant Victorian grandeur* - with ladies' hats and their feathered boas, all perfectly complemented by stunning gloves. This is high Victorian style – it's elegant, opulent, a bit extravagant, and utterly romantic. Imagine the colour scheme! Imagine my absolute delight when I saw all of those fabulous fabrics: Velvet, silk, lace, and an absolute mountain of luxurious brocade! These gorgeous details really highlight the fashion elegance of the Victorian era, don't you think?
Now, back to the performance! As I take in the majestic dance steps and gorgeous costumes, my heart races with joy. To witness this masterpiece of art right before my eyes, feels magical and timeless, but more than anything it really emphasises how lucky we are to be enjoying such a wonderful and inspiring form of entertainment!
Speaking of entertainment, did I tell you how I get to journey through time? It’s a little secret, a pinch of magic, a good ballet performance or two, and the right combination of travel passes! But all that matters is that I can bring you all the wonder of the past, especially for a day like today, where we can truly appreciate the romantic tutu and its beauty.
Of course, the history of the tutu is so much richer than what we discussed. But it’s this romantic period in time that has captured my heart and inspired me to don my own tutu and spread the joy of this fascinating fashion with you all.
And remember, dears! Every single one of you is fabulous! Embrace your inner twirler! Now, tell me in the comments what are some of your favourite moments in the world of ballet fashion. What makes your heart beat a little faster? And remember to follow #TutuTuesday so that we can all go on our own wonderful journey together!
See you next week for more delightful history, dears! Until then, stay pink, and don't forget to twirl! 💖🩰✨
Emmawww.pink-tutu.com
