#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1834-06-03

Bonjour mes chéries! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another exciting dive into the history of ballet. This week, we're time-hopping all the way back to the 3rd of June, 1834, to a time before tutus were even tutus as we know them!

You might think I'm bonkers to be visiting a time before tutus, but there's nothing I love more than exploring the origins of things. It's like watching a little seed sprout and grow into the majestic flower we know today. So buckle up, darling, because we're taking a whimsical train journey back to the 19th century!

Now, in 1834, the world of ballet was certainly stirring with change. We're not talking about big, flashy transformations, but rather subtle shifts, the whisper of evolution.

Let's imagine this... I'm taking the train to Paris (yes, it was already invented!), bustling through the city to catch a ballet performance. It's a different world compared to the extravagant productions of today. There's still no true "tutu" as we know it, darling.

Instead, the ladies on stage are dressed in tuniques: elegant, flowing garments, more reminiscent of ancient Greek drapery. These tuniques are crafted from fine fabrics – silk and muslin being favourites - and usually adorned with shimmering sequins or embroidery.

These were far from the streamlined, tight-fitting forms we know today. It wasn't uncommon to see layered skirts with panniers creating a silhouette reminiscent of a bygone era, the rococo. It's actually quite enchanting - a delicate dance in long flowing dresses with an air of romanticism, perfect for a grand ball. But this romanticism was starting to give way to a new kind of elegance...

Hold your breath, because I'm going to say something shocking… shoes were actually considered rather unconventional for a dancer in this period! Imagine, it wasn't even expected! Sacré bleu!

The ballet shoes we know today, those precious little wonders, were beginning to make their first shy appearances in ballet class and performance. Not the elegant pointed slippers we covet, but rather soft, barely-there satin shoes that would have looked rather uncomfortable for someone like me. Still, these shoes allowed dancers more freedom and grace, a step toward the effortless grace and fluidity we see in modern ballet.

I may have missed out on wearing a true tutu, but 1834 was truly an inspiring era for ballet! It was a time of evolution, experimentation, and the seeds for the breathtaking beauty we see today were planted. So remember, darlings, even without a tutu, ballet was a beautiful, fluid form. A time when elegant figures danced on pointe with flowing drapery and subtle movements, just like a whisper in the wind!

While time travel is amazing, sometimes, even a tutu-loving girl needs a bit of reality. This past week, I took in a beautiful production of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in London. The costumes were a dream come true - a modern twist on the classic designs, with flowing tulle and exquisite details. It was a treat to my eyes and my soul, darling!

Did you catch any beautiful shows this week, lovelies? Tell me all about them in the comments!

xx Emma

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