Hello my darling tutufarians! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time, my pink tutu billowing behind me as I skip down the cobblestone streets of Paris! Can you believe it's June the 15th, 1880? This city is just brimming with history and glamour!
For this week's #TutuTuesday, I've decided to take us back to the year 1880, because, my dears, this was a momentous year for the tutu! You might be surprised to hear that this magnificent garment wasn't always as we know it today! But fear not, my lovely tutu enthusiasts, because Emma's got the scoop on all things tutu!
Let's imagine the Paris of 1880. The streets are alive with the aroma of fresh croissants and the chatter of people heading to grand ballrooms or elegant theatre productions. As we saunter past grand opera houses like the Opéra Garnier, it's time for a little ballet history lesson.
Believe it or not, the tutus we see today, those glorious puffs of tulle, weren't exactly the 'go-to' look for dancers in this era! The Victorian era wasn't all about the flowing tulle that we associate with the ballerina. The ladies of the dance still favoured more grounded, albeit elaborate, garments, with long, layered skirts of silk and velvet, and more covered up shoulders, to maintain a certain sense of propriety.
Of course, ballet as an art form was still taking its graceful steps into its own, developing its techniques and its unique aesthetic. It's interesting to think about how our understanding of dance costumes, including tutus, changed alongside the ballet world's evolution!
Think of Marie Taglioni, a revolutionary ballerina of this period. She is credited with popularizing the romantic ballerina style, but she would never have been seen in a tutu as we know it! She wore lightweight, almost billowing garments, and those gowns were an incredible step forward for women of her time! They allowed a level of mobility never seen before, allowing ballerinas to move with a graceful lightness and elegance that made audiences gasp. It paved the way for the ballerina tutu to be recognized as the essential stage garment.
So how did we reach the "tutu era"? Well, as with most fashion trends, a confluence of factors and ingenious artistic choices led to the birth of the tutus that would become so iconic.
For example, in 1832, Charles-Louis Didelot, a renowned ballet master, developed the technique of "danse sur la pointe," which translates to dancing on pointe. Can you imagine dancing with an entire skirt weighing you down? Well, that’s where the concept of shorter skirts or tutus for ballerinas came into play. It allowed for a sense of lightness and artistry. But that's a story for another day, darlings!
This gradual transition towards shorter skirts and the birth of the modern tutu were essential for a reason! The focus was on highlighting the ballet dancer's graceful movements and exquisite technique. It shifted attention away from just how many layers of silk and velvet they could possibly wear, which had been the focal point of ballet attire earlier on, and towards the movement itself. Imagine a swan lake being danced in yards of silk – It simply wouldn't work!
Speaking of the swan lake, darling, we're not that far away from Tchaikovsky's timeless masterpiece, aren’t we? Think of Odette, her majestic white tutu... pure ballet poetry! You're starting to understand why I love tutus so much! They are truly an extension of the dancer's spirit and form, adding another dimension to the entire experience.
While you were probably just a wee little one, my darling readers, if you could travel back with me and be in Paris around 1880, you'd be in for a treat. It was an exciting period of theatrical and artistic development.
Oh, did I tell you, the gorgeous Moulin Rouge was about to make its grand entrance onto the Paris scene, just two years away. How I yearn to travel back and witness its debut! I imagine dancing the night away, twirling under its glittering red windmill.
The beauty of ballet during this time lay in its artistic evolution, not only on stage, but offstage, too! From costumes to make-up, the language of ballet was constantly evolving, transforming its identity into the expressive and emotional art form we love today.
It's not all serious stuff, darling. It was a golden age of frivolity and joie de vivre! Can you just imagine attending a gala at the Opera Garnier? Imagine waltzing the night away with handsome gentlemen, swirling in a kaleidoscope of vibrant fabrics.
We're making a stop at Ladurée this afternoon, because nothing makes a girl feel more elegant than a delectable macaron! A dash of pink to make it even more perfect! You can never go wrong with pink, you know! Pink is timeless! Pink is my favourite colour because pink tutus are my life!
So there you have it, darlings, my peek into the history of ballet and tutus in 1880! Don't forget to wear your tutus, if you feel a little extra-special! Until next Tuesday! Stay sassy, stay graceful, and keep those twirls going!
See you all soon, Emma!
Don't forget to visit the official website: www.pink-tutu.com
Love, always, Emma!
PS: Share this post with your fellow tutufarians! **I want to see everyone sporting pink tutus by next week!
