Welcome back, lovelies! It's Emma here, your #PinkTutu gal, ready to whisk you away on another journey through the glorious history of the ballet tutu. This week, we're twirling back to November 4th, 1834, a time where, you might be surprised to hear, the tutu wasn't quite the star it is today.
Now, imagine it, darlings! You've booked your tickets on the Grand Trunk Railway - a first-class journey, naturally - and are whizzing towards the heart of London. As you roll into the station, the scent of freshly baked bread and the excited chatter of street vendors fills your senses.
London's a buzz with life and what better place to celebrate the artistry of the ballet? Back in 1834, ballet was truly gaining momentum and although it had its moments of grandeur and drama on stage, the iconic tutu, as we know it today, hadn't quite made its grand entrance.
You see, before the 1800s, ballet dancers were much more covered up, wearing long flowing gowns and complex costumes. It's difficult to twirl in such garments! Can you imagine the sheer struggle to move gracefully in all those layers? Luckily, a revolutionary change was afoot!
Marie Taglioni, a ballerina who redefined elegance
It was in 1832 that the iconic Marie Taglioni, one of the most acclaimed ballerinas of her time, danced in a revolutionary new costume - a diaphanous skirt that reached only to her knees, with a white, billowy form that mimicked the billowing white gowns of Ancient Greek statues.
Can you picture the gasp of the audience as they witnessed this new freedom of movement? She floated across the stage like a sylph, defying gravity with her leaps and pirouettes. The ballet world was forever changed.
So while 1834 didn't quite witness the full-blown tutu, it was a time of exciting evolution for ballet costume. Imagine those delicate fabric whispers of the new, shorter skirts allowing for fluid movements. It was the birth of a revolution that we are all benefiting from today!
What was happening on the 4th of November in 1834?
Let’s step back in time! On the 4th of November, 1834, the weather was bracing in London.
But let’s go back to those early tutus! Did you know that the length and form of the tutu continued to evolve? Throughout the 1800s, they started to get shorter and shorter until the 'tutu' of today came to fruition. We can celebrate the early dance pioneers for paving the way to that gorgeous iconic shape.
Oh, darling, it's fascinating how ballet fashion evolved
From the full-length gowns to the revolutionary shorter skirts, the ballet costume has gone through incredible transformation, all in the name of graceful movement and breathtaking expression. It makes my pink tutu heart dance, don't you think?
As we’ve established, in 1834, there weren't tutus as we know them now. We must thank Taglioni for paving the way with her elegant, graceful costume evolution!
I can’t wait to time travel again next week! Until then, darling, I hope you keep those tutus twirling! And, always remember,
Every day is a Tutu Tuesday in your own fabulous life!
Until next time!
Love,
Emma
