Ahoy, my dearest Tutu-lovers! Itās Emma here, back with another installment of my weekly ballet history adventures. As always, Iām decked out in my favourite pink tutu, ready to take you on a journey back in time ā all aboard the Tutu Express, this week we are off to 1836, October 25th!
Oh, the excitement! I love travelling to the 19th century. The dresses are SO magnificent, and I can imagine myself pirouette-ing in those grand ballrooms. Of course, I must admit, those restrictive corsets weren't ideal for en pointe work, so let's thank our lucky stars for the ballet innovations that were on the horizon. We're right at the cusp of exciting times for the tutu ā but more on that later.
So, what was going on in the world on October 25th, 1836? Well, I discovered that on this day, way back in the 1830s, The Bank of England introduced the penny as a standard unit of currency. Now, a penny doesn't seem like much today, but back then, that was quite a groundbreaking development. I'm imagining everyone rushing out to buy a little something lovely with their new pennies ā perhaps a new pair of satin slippers for a dancing class or maybe a fresh rose for a dear one.
Speaking of dancingā¦ this week we're heading to Paris, the city of love andā¦ well, it was pretty much THE centre of the ballet universe. Now, picture this: 1836 Paris ā elegant balls, romantic waltzes, and a growing interest in the revolutionary ballerinas of the time.
I recently attended the debut of a young Italian ballerina named Carlotta Grisi. Now, she knew how to wear a tutu. It wasnāt like the heavy, tiered, layered ones we've seen previously; hers was light and flowing. Imagine the way she would have swept across the stage! The audience were mesmerised. This new lightness and fluidity were what was bringing in the crowds - and trust me, thatās a look I'm absolutely channeling.
Now, I'm a bit of a history buff myself and have a few historical facts for you, my dears. In the early 1800s, womenās clothing had undergone quite a revolution! Hemlines were rising and we were starting to see a shift towards movement and flow. The romantic era in ballet mirrored this. Forget the elaborate court dances ā romanticism in dance brought passion, storytelling, and even some light-hearted use of the demi-point technique. Think dramatic swirling costumes and flowing movements.
Thereās a story, a rather juicy one, about the early versions of the tutu! There was a particular Italian ballerina named Marie Taglioni (one of the original āfashionistasā) who revolutionised ballet with her ethereal style. She wore these glorious white muslin gowns that were short and fitted - the forerunner of the tutu we know today. But, it's whispered that those white dresses were more see-through than they were designed to be!
Now, picture thisā¦ The year is 1836, youāre a gentleman watching Marie Taglioni gracefully floating across the stage in her gossamer white dress. The light catches it perfectly - creating a sense of ethereal, graceful motion. The effect? Magical.
It was like magic, my dears, but not everyone was keen on the new direction in ballet. You see, a lot of ballet purists in 1836 were resistant to these changes. They wanted their grand steps and predictable classical styles. However, *Taglioni's airy and fluid style was captivating audiences. And with her, the tutu became *the signature garment for any self-respecting ballerina.*
But how did the tutu become this essential ballet garment? Let's imagine it. A simple muslin dress, light, and airy. Perfect for a ballerina to float around in. It quickly morphed into something truly stunning. As time went on, the fabrics evolved; tulle came into play and tutus became more refined. Tutus could be short, they could be long, they could have different layers and fabricsā¦ the variety was just stunning!
And to be honest, my darlings, I am loving every moment of this time. But my friends, even though tutus were gaining popularity, the 1830s were still very early days for the garment we adore today. Just imagine a ballerina with an overskirt. It would get caught in her feet - oh the drama! Thankfully, those times are behind us. This new generation of tutus gave more freedom and expression ā not just for the ballet dancers, but for the entire fashion world.
So, there you have it! That was my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post for October 25th, 1836! Let's make sure those amazing tutus continue their rise to fame by adding a dash of pink to our wardrobes. Because every day can be Tutu Tuesday!
And, remember, to get the latest ballet fashion and history updates, make sure you subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com!
Until next week, darlings, keep on twirling!
Lots of love and pink tutus, Emma.
