Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday, where we dive into the captivating history of our beloved ballet tutus!
As you know, I adore time travel (donāt ask me how, Iām a ballerina, not a scientist!), and every week, Iām whisked away to a different era to explore the world of ballet fashion. This week, Iāve found myself in a rather exciting time, 25th May, 1880! Itās the 19th Century, my dears, a time when Paris was buzzing with excitement for a truly iconic ballet, and trust me, I was there to witness the magic!
But before we delve into this wonderful time capsule, letās rewind the clock a little, shall we? You see, the tutu we know and love today hasn't always been this airy, ethereal creation. It took some evolution, darling, from its humble beginnings as a rather voluminous and practical garment for those glorious ballet leaps and pirouettes!
A Brief History of Ballet Tutus
Back in the 1500s, ladies who danced didnāt quite look the part. They wore long, flowing dresses which, while graceful, did little to show off the beauty of their intricate movements. The introduction of the first tutu (more like a modified version of a womanās dress) in the 16th century paved the way for greater freedom and a more streamlined, feminine look. This allowed ballerinas to effortlessly move around the stage and display the strength and beauty of ballet movements!
The Evolution of the Tutu: A Dress to Remember!
Then came the Romantic Period in the 19th Century! Think ethereal creatures like fairies and sprites taking flight. And yes, you guessed it, a change was on the horizon. A new style of tutu, made of a single layer of white tulle, was born! Imagine shimmering, swirling layers of white, a dream in fabric ā these became known as the "Romantic" tutu! It was a revolutionary moment that completely shifted the way dancers and audiences viewed ballet! It showcased not only the beauty of movement, but the gracefulness of the dancers, literally in flight! Itās still the image most associated with classical ballet. It's as if those ballerinas could float like angels on a cloud of delicate tulle, which is exactly what they looked like!
But the fun didn't end there! During the 20th century, we witnessed a real kaleidoscope of styles. The "Bell Tutu" made its grand appearance, which is still widely loved today ā think short and fluffy with tiers that flared out gracefully like a bell. It offered more versatility, showing off even more of a ballerinaās elegance and artistry.
Then we saw the rise of the āPoulin,ā which is a shortened version of the romantic tutu with just one or two layers, providing a sleek, modern style, ideal for modern ballet productions. The contemporary ballet style is quite free-flowing, embracing everything from expressive dancewear to costumes with strong cultural influences ā and tutus still play an important role, but their styles can be varied to match!
1880: The World's Premiere of "La Boutique Fantasque"
Now back to 1880 and that incredible premiere! It was a grand occasion. Imagine stepping onto a cobblestoned street lined with elegant carriages, surrounded by chatter and anticipation as I made my way to the iconic Palais Garnier, Paris! You can bet I was dressed in my best pink tutu, adorned with an intricate silver ribbon for a touch of sparkle! And as I waltzed through the theatre entrance, my senses were flooded with a flurry of emotions: anticipation, awe, and excitement. The anticipation, I canāt even begin to describe the thrill I felt to be surrounded by theatre lovers and dance aficionados! I even managed to chat with the composer, Jacques Offenbach himself, what a delightful soul, with his sharp wit and incredible energy!
Weāre talking the most celebrated ballerina of the era, the magnificent Rosita Mauri. The play is "La Boutique Fantasque", a story about a Parisian toy shop where dolls come to life ā absolutely enchanting! And did I tell you the tutu that Rosita wore was an absolute showstopper? This is why the tutu was so famous. It showcased the graceful leaps and elegant movement to the full. Rosita's dress, made with the softest, lightest tulle imaginable, had this stunning pale, baby-pink hue! And the tiers of tulle, like shimmering, airy ribbons! I confess, I had to restrain myself from taking it right off her and adding it to my personal collection!
The ballet was pure enchantment, a whirlwind of graceful pirouettes, breathtaking leaps, and vibrant artistry.
Our Tutu Tales
But back to the real world, where we donāt have access to time travel yet (Iām working on it, but the engineers just donāt get the artistic appeal, silly things!), how can we, well, embody the magic of this gorgeous era? Here's where you can bring a bit of Tutu-esque flair to your own everyday lives:
- Dress Up!
Don a delightful tulle skirt, or a tutu, for that matter! Wear pink, and youāll be in sync with our fashion forward timeline, with the ballet greats. You can make it even more special, darling! Look at your local shops for that extra-special pink tutu. It could be with ruffles and sequins, maybe with ribbons that would look fab on stage!
- Go for Ballet Class:
Sign yourself or your little one up for a ballet class. Itās the ultimate way to channel your inner ballerina! Dance with the flow, it's very elegant, you know? Donāt forget, thereās no pressure to become the next Misty Copeland or anything (but we can dream!), this is about discovering your inner dancer and having some delightful fun, darling!
- Head to the Theatre!
Now hereās the magic, Iām a big fan of a night at the theatre! The energy, the atmosphere, the anticipation before the lights go down, it's wonderful! I find, darling, even the mundane activities, we are able to experience life to the full if we put a bit of extra thought in to how we dress and how we act and make things, well, a little bit grand. And itās an extra bit of enjoyment to know you have been in this historical moment. So go forth and enjoy all the arts have to offer!
Until next week, my dears, when we continue to explore this exciting journey through tutu time, happy dancing!
XOXO Emma š
