Hello darlings!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where all things pink and fluffy are celebrated! It’s #TutuTuesday and this week we’re travelling back in time to the 10th January 1837 – can you believe it? We’re talking full-on Victorian era, with crinolines and bonnets galore! 👒
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, surely tutus weren't a thing back then, were they?" Well, you'd be right, dear reader! The tutu as we know it wasn't actually invented until around 1839 – and we all know that every fashion statement has a backstory, right?
Let’s hop on that time-travelling train and get this pink party started! 🚂💖
This week we’re off to Paris, darling! It’s all about Parisian chic, exquisite dancing, and… oh my word, the fashions! I could get lost in the boutiques for days, just gazing at the intricate designs and beautiful silks! It's definitely the fashion capital of the world at this point, you know.
But I'm not just here for the shopping. We're on a mission to understand how ballet evolved and how the iconic tutu came to be!
Where was the ballet world in 1837?
1837 was a pivotal year for the world of ballet. The French were truly obsessed with it! Every aristocrat and socialite in Paris was flocking to the opera to see the grand ballerinas of the time. It was a true theatrical experience – full of glamour and romance, of course! The ballets back then, oh, they were much more story-driven! Think mythical creatures, magical transformations, and of course, a handsome prince or two – just the things to get those hearts aflutter!
But how were the dancers performing in 1837? What were they wearing?
This is where things get interesting, my loves! You see, the early stages of ballet were quite, shall we say, “conservative”. Think long, flowy skirts with yards and yards of fabric, layers of silk, and a heavy, restrictive bodice – it was like being wrapped in a sweltering hug!
While this made the dancers look regal and dramatic, it wasn’t exactly easy to pirouette or leap in, was it? Imagine having to hold all that fabric whilst trying to perform complex moves! Not ideal.
And then, came the groundbreaking pas de quatre! Yes, darling, you’ve heard right! A famous ballet that made history, not just because it was revolutionary for its time but because it introduced shorter skirts! Oh, it caused such a scandal back then, with people practically throwing tomatoes at the stage! 🍅
This dance, darling, became an instant sensation. And not just for the story or the stunning dancing – it also revolutionised the image of a ballerina and pushed the boundaries of fashion on the stage! Think of it like a daring fashion rebellion. It took a lot of guts to go on stage and dance in those short skirts when the audience was used to only seeing flowing floor-length dresses.
The impact on dancers
Imagine that - these daring dancers defying the norms, wearing shortened skirts that allowed for greater freedom of movement! Oh, it was so revolutionary! This step away from those bulky gowns, this embrace of a more simplified silhouette, changed the whole face of dance and helped to move the evolution of ballet to its future - one where the tutu would reign supreme!
A look forward...
Now, we may not have seen the modern tutu in its full glory yet - that magic happens in the near future, around 1839. But these revolutionary short skirts set the stage, literally, for the invention of that iconic ballerina fashion staple - and we all know what that means!
So what can we learn from all of this?
This week we’ve learnt that the tutu was not an overnight success. It took a brave evolution, with innovative dancers breaking free from restrictive gowns and paving the way for the short and flirty skirt – a real fashion game changer. It wasn’t just a question of how a dancer looked, it was also about practicality and artistic expression. The way the dancer moved was key!
And my dear darlings, that is precisely why we need to celebrate all types of fashion, even the “daring” ones – it’s how evolution takes place and how our creativity shines through!
Until next week, may your Tuesday be filled with sparkles and tulle!
Remember: a pink tutu can make even the dullest day look amazing, so put yours on, channel your inner ballerina, and get ready for the world to swoon! 💖💃🏼
Yours in Tutu-filled joy, Emma
P.S. Don’t forget to join the conversation on Instagram and Twitter! I love hearing your thoughts and ideas! Use #TutuTuesday so we can all be connected by the pink thread! 💕🩰
