Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, darlings! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another jaunt into the past for our weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History dive! This week, we're travelling back to 13th January 1835. Just picture it, lovely ladies: carriage rides through snowy cobbled streets, crackling fires in grand houses, and of course, the exquisite ballet performances taking place in the theatres!
This is post number 159 for my Pink-Tutu.com blog - a blog I'm very proud of, even if it sometimes means being away from my beloved Derbyshire for longer than I'd like. Why, only last week I was in Paris watching a simply divine performance of Giselle, and this week, I'm heading to Italy! What a life, wouldn't you agree?
But let's rewind to the year 1835, shall we? Back then, the tutu was still relatively young, in its "early blooming" stage, as I like to call it! And even then, it was considered shockingly short for its time. Imagine the gasps and giggles, my darlings, when ladies took to the stage with these diaphanous, billowing lengths of tulle!
For those of you who haven't been following my blog since its inception, the first proper tutus, or the "Romantic Tutu," as I like to call it, were worn during the Romantic era in ballet. Imagine light, floaty fabrics, a dash of femininity, and that certain je ne sais quoi. Just a whisper of tulle and taffeta that danced on air, truly reflecting the lightness and grace of ballet itself. The tutu was essentially a single layer of fabric that reached the calf, often paired with a fitted bodice or blouse for a lovely touch of feminine allure. The "tutu" as we know it, or the "classical tutu", made its official appearance in the 1860s when the legendary Marie Taglioni (that lovely ballerina with such lovely long legs!) debuted a full, flowing, multiple layered "Romantic Tutu", perfect for those incredible pirouettes and grand jetés. Oh, to be on stage with those iconic, beautiful ballerinas and such glorious fabrics!
And who knows, maybe those who designed those lovely creations had some hidden connection with this blog, as the original tutu, in its very beginning, had a pink hue to it! Don’t believe me, darling? Have a peek at paintings of the famous dancers of that period and tell me they’re not dancing in a gloriously pink tulle skirt. I shall even point out a few later. A truly remarkable shade, isn’t it? One that truly encapsulates grace, elegance, and above all, the power of being a ballerina. It's as if the colours were saying: “Look at me! I’m ready to take the stage, to fly, and to pirouette.”
But, while we're on the subject of pirouettes, let's get back to the topic at hand, shall we? On the 13th January 1835, a lovely ballet by none other than Jules Perrot (an exceptionally talented dancer who designed gorgeous ballets in his day) was being staged in Russia at the Imperial Ballet Theatre! The production, titled "La Fille du Danube," which translates to "The Daughter of the Danube", was a complete delight. This is one of my favourite ballets of that period. What I found particularly stunning was its story. Imagine a magical story of love and freedom, where a woman dances her way out of sorrow and despair and finally finds peace. Oh, such drama! And of course, those dancers? In their light, floating tutus. Oh, what a sight for sore eyes! A sheer vision, darling, quite simply a sheer vision.
So, imagine, darlings, on the 13th January 1835, the glittering chandelier illuminating the grand stage as graceful, lithe ballerinas, all wearing these dreamy pink tutus, glided across the stage to rapturous applause. A truly memorable occasion for ballet fans. Perhaps you have a lovely vintage book at home that talks about the history of ballet from the early years!
Now, just as I love to time-travel in search of the finest ballets, the best tutu designers, and the most gorgeous stage sets, I also love indulging in my favourite pastime - ballet shopping, of course! You wouldn't believe the hidden gems I find! Imagine antique shops brimming with lace, ribbons, silk, and satin that were once part of tutu dreams - and maybe even some original tutus too! Quelle chance, eh? I even managed to find an authentic Romantic Era ballet slipper - they're so dainty, you wouldn't believe it!
So my darlings, until next Tuesday's #TutuTuesday blog, stay twirling, stay glamorous, and most importantly, never be afraid to step onto your own stage! And maybe, just maybe, wear some pink as a way to express yourself. Oh, my lovely dancers, keep wearing that tutu and never forget, les filles, we can achieve our dreams!
See you next Tuesday!
Emma, your Pink Tutu wearing Ballet Historian.
(You may want to edit in additional detail, or some links to specific articles or websites for research.)
