History of Ballet in 1877

Hey everyone! It's Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast and historian extraordinaire, back from another trip through time! Today, we're stepping back to 1877 to witness the incredible world of ballet and fashion! I have to tell you, my little pink tutu had me feeling positively Victorian in the best possible way!

This era, with its incredible gowns, big hair, and overall flourish, is my jam. 1877 saw some truly incredible moments in ballet history. The year was all about innovation and change - imagine me, trying on different tutu styles as fast as I can, looking for the newest, the brightest, and the most romantic look!

One thing that caught my eye was the emergence of Russian ballet. Can you believe, my darling readers, that Russian dancers were revolutionising ballet in the west? I hear tell that their performances were filled with athleticism and raw power - definitely not your typical sweet little fairy! I can only imagine their dramatic, grand performances with stunning costumes. It makes me think of the magnificent tutus with cascading ruffles and delicate embroidery that I've been seeing in modern performances inspired by that time. Sigh, I need to go shopping.

Speaking of tutus, one of the big players in the tutu game back in 1877 was none other than The Ballet Russe de Diaghilev. This company, founded in 1909 (it was way ahead of its time!), revolutionized the way ballet was viewed and performed. And get this – this amazing troupe put on performances featuring female dancers, including some incredible women like Anna Pavlova. Remember how I've been talking about a pink tutu world? Well, Pavlova’s stage presence was absolutely stunning and her ability to create such delicate and feminine roles for women? Well, that was a true testament to female strength. The Victorian era didn’t think female dancers could express a strength like that – just another reason why Pavlova was such an iconic figure. And can you believe, The Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, those classic ballets we know and love, were first presented by The Ballet Russe de Diaghilev? We’ve come a long way, haven’t we?

It’s been great for women in the ballet world since this time period too. Back in 1877, a female dancer called Carlotta Grisi, oh darling, she was a star! Now, she was from Italy, but she found her place on London’s West End and she brought with her a performance called Giselle - what an absolute classic! Now Giselle features the dancer performing with an incredible, romantic, story-driven style of movement, the kind I love to do. There's no way you can’t appreciate Giselle in the way she used a lightness of body movement, the beauty of her jumps, the way she told a story, well that made her a legend back in 1877, and a legend today.

You’re probably wondering about fashion! Where do I even start? 1877 was all about full skirts, delicate lace, and beautiful, frilly details. Remember those incredible big crinoline gowns? Imagine my tiny pink tutu floating around like a dream in the middle of all that elegance! The trend was definitely toward elegance and intricate detailing. Think swirling fabrics, dramatic poufs, and exquisite jewellery. It makes me want to grab a vintage lace dress and twirl around!

The tutu world back then wasn’t like it is today – but the dancers of 1877 were innovative and knew how to make an impression! For instance, they did use layered, romantic fabrics and skirts with tulle, all flowing and airy, which created such a beautiful look!

It’s true, this is nothing like the tutus that are worn today in ballet! The classic romantic tutus with their beautiful tutus for classical ballets, that’s what really interests me in this era, and in the eras to follow!

As a dedicated tutu fan and a passionate history buff, my heart leaps for joy with the beauty, the passion and the dedication shown in the performances of this time period. This era in time was absolutely incredible - ballet had found a home in all the places of social gatherings in the UK - there were performances in every major city and even villages, as I was lucky to find on my travels this time!

So what does this mean for us tutu lovers? The history of ballet in 1877 is a shining example of the ongoing dedication and creativity behind this art form, and it shows how ballet fashion always has something beautiful, timeless, and classic about it. My little pink tutu, a nod to these elegant moments of ballet history, might just get me another standing ovation on the streets of London tonight.

Keep following along, dear readers, and maybe you'll even see my little pink tutu doing a grand jeté across the streets of your neighbourhood! It's a small step towards a world full of tutus!