Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad ballerina, Emma, and oh my goodness, do I have a story for you! Today we're travelling back in time, all the way to 1806, for a peek at what ballet was all about before even I was a twinkle in my grandma's eye. I bet you're wondering how I got there, aren't you? Well, as you know, this glamorous life of ballet history research requires a certain… flexibility. Let's just say my street performances in a pink tutu earned me enough to get me a one-way ticket on the Time Hopper. (No, it's not the London Underground! whispers Maybe next week I'll write about that. 😉 )
Now, imagine this: 1806, London. The year Napoleon Bonaparte is all over the news, and, funnily enough, the ballet scene is feeling just as revolutionary! They're breaking free from the stuffy, strict, royal court ballet. The old-fashioned court ballet, with all those powdered wigs and pannier dresses, was just… well, too much. We're talking massive tutus, yards and yards of silk, and costumes so heavy they needed a whole crew to get them on and off. The dancing, as you can imagine, was more about stately posing and impressive entrances, rather than graceful leaps and spins.
Thankfully, 1806 saw the rise of the ballet d'action, and oh, what a delightful change that was! This style focused on telling stories through movement, making ballet much more dramatic and relatable to audiences. Gone were the mythological gods and goddesses; they were replaced with characters like peasants, noblemen, and even… dare I say it... villains!
Now, before you think ballet got boring, think again! They were just beginning to embrace pointe shoes. While not as common as they are now, ballerinas were starting to tiptoe on their toes for that elegant, almost magical look. Can you imagine how uncomfortable it was to dance on those early, unpadded pointe shoes? Just another reason to give those ballet heroines of the past a standing ovation!
Fashion, you say? Let's talk tutus! They were definitely different, my dears. They were less fluffy and billowing, more about creating graceful lines and showing off those amazing leg extensions, just like we see in the classical ballet we adore today. The fabrics? Think shimmering silk, lightweight gauze, and even lace.
Of course, we have to mention the ultimate ballet superstar of 1806: Marie Taglioni! She’s the epitome of early ballet fashion. She became known for the flowing, sheer tutus she danced in, showcasing a whole new elegance to ballet. She moved like a vision, defying the conventions of her time.
I also popped by the Royal Opera House in London to see a performance, but… hold on! It wasn’t at Covent Garden yet! It moved there in 1847, so the show was being put on in the old Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. You've got to hand it to those theatregoers, they were seriously dedicated – imagine a ballet performance where they had to stand the entire time, since seats weren't as standard then! They didn’t even have programmes, and there was hardly any spotlighting or set design. The only lighting was the dimly lit candlelight! Can you imagine? But don't worry, darling. The costumes are where it's at – if those extravagant outfits were the only draw, they surely packed the theatre every night!
One of my absolute must-see ballet fashion designers was Marie-Rose de la Croix. She was the top dog, crafting the most spectacular costumes for dancers! You know what’s crazy? She actually began designing at the grand old age of 65! If she could do it, we can certainly make our tutu dreams come true! I swear, seeing her designs at the Theatre Royal made me realise that 19th century ballet was seriously stylish.
So, you see? Ballet, even in its early days, was just as inspiring and beautiful. The elegant, romantic stories they were creating were shaping what we know as ballet today. If 1806 had anything to teach us, it’s to embrace change, and let our creative spirits run wild.
Now, until next week’s time travel, remember: there's a pink tutu out there for everyone! And if you're lucky enough to find a fabulous pink tutu, don't hesitate to twirl into the limelight and inspire others to embrace the beauty of dance. And if you have a minute, darling, I would love to hear your comments! What do you think of the fashion of ballet in 1806? Do you see any of these styles coming back in fashion? Tell me in the comments below. 💖✨
