#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1833-07-02

Hey darlings, it's Emma, your resident pink-tutu-loving, time-travelling ballerina, back with another instalment of #TutuTuesday! Today we're waltzing our way back to 2nd July 1833. It's the year when I imagine those exquisite tulle creations started making an appearance on the stage, if only as tiny whispers of what was to come. Let me tell you, 1833 was quite the time to be in Paris! Imagine this, cobblestone streets, grand boulevards and the Eiffel Tower? Not so much. But Paris was still the undisputed centre of fashion, and it was here the dance world started to shimmy and shake!

Now, I'm a bit of a history buff, and this period fascinates me. The Romantic Era of ballet, the dawn of tutu time! Of course, a real tutu, like the ones we know and love today, wasn't quite here yet. Those billowing layers of tulle weren't yet showing off their leg-lengthening magic. It was all about simple dresses with shorter skirts that allowed the dancers to leap and bound. Think of it like a first bloom on the tutu tree, waiting to blossom into the beautiful flower it would become!

But I'm already feeling those itchy time travel feet, so let's delve into some 1833 magic!

You see, back then, it was all about grace and delicacy, about highlighting the dancer's fluidity and artistry. The spotlight, dear reader, was on the dancing, not on the clothes! The dancers were literally works of art, their costumes enhancing their movements rather than obscuring them. Now, I wouldn't mind a bit of embellishment myself, but I admire the elegance and simplicity of this era. It allowed the dancers to tell a story through their bodies alone, without relying on visual frills.

Speaking of stories, just imagine the stories I'd be hearing if I could be in a Parisian salon back then. There'd be chatter about the latest ballet debut, the captivating choreography of Charles-Louis Didelot and perhaps even the debut of the Italian dancing genius, Salvatore Viganò!

This was the era when ballet was truly the centre of social gatherings. To witness the "grand ballet," as it was known, was the high point of any fashionable calendar, the chance to see those ethereal ballerinas soar across the stage.

London, my home, wasn't far behind. It's where I often set off on my time travels, taking a long steam train journey straight from Derbyshire, full of daydreams and delicious memories of hot cocoa!

Although not as central to the fashion world as Paris, London still hosted a buzzing scene of ballet and opera. This era saw the rise of some of the most celebrated choreographers in history! Remember "Giselle", the haunting story of a peasant girl and her love for a nobleman? Oh, the tragedy!

If I were to magically teleport myself to London, 1833, you know where I'd head straight to - the theatre! The "Royal Opera House", it was called. Imagine stepping through the ornate doors and witnessing those ballerinas dancing their hearts out in flowing gowns and light-as-air tutus... I wouldn't need a glass of bubbly for the heady energy I'd experience!

Fast forward to today. Look at what a long way those ballet gowns and shorter skirts have come! The modern tutu has a magic of its own, the layered tulle adding an aura of lightness and whimsy. From the traditional Romantic tutus, all the way to the whimsical fairy tutus and the majestic professional tutu, there is a style for every occasion. We've seen them transform, evolve, and flourish, each twist and twirl bringing a fresh new interpretation of the dance world. And of course, my absolute favourite, the pink tutu, remains an absolute staple in any ballet enthusiast's wardrobe!

Before I go, dear readers, I have some little tidbits for all of you wishing you could jump into the time machine and dance in 1833:

• Travel with a stylish travelling hat! They are super chic for any journey and make travelling by train, my preferred method, absolutely splendid.
• Make sure to always have a lovely, elegant pink outfit to hand! It doesn't need to be a full tutu for travel, just an element of pink, perhaps a blush scarf or a cute little pink dress! Pink will never go out of fashion, no matter what century you end up in!
• *Keep a beautiful, classic pair of ballet slippers with you, *always be prepared to strike a pose, even when traveling!

I can't wait to jump back in my time machine, catch my next flight and find out more about ballet history. Keep those pink tutus ready for the next instalment of #TutuTuesday!

And if you are feeling particularly inspired, feel free to send me a message at www.pink-tutu.com and tell me about your dream ballet outfit! 🩰 💌

Love, Emma 💕