Hello lovelies, and welcome to another fabulous Tuesday and another installment of Ballet Tutu History here on www.pink-tutu.com! It's a blustery February day here in Derbyshire, but even the greyest skies can't dampen my spirits when I'm on a historical tutu adventure!
This week, I'm travelling back in time to 21st February, 1837, a date that holds a special place in dance history - and one that gives me serious pink-tutu-wearing vibes! It was on this day, 185 years ago that Queen Victoria took to the throne! Now, I know what you're thinking: What on earth does the Queen have to do with tutus?! Well, hold on to your pom-poms because this is a royal story with some seriously glittery twists!
Now, I'm sure you all know about those iconic fluffy pink tulle things (and yes, I'm talking about tutus) we see the prima ballerinas wear today, right? But way back in the 1830s, things were a tad different.
Back in the Day: A Tutu's Humble Beginnings
Back in the time of our gracious Queen Victoria, tutus weren't as flamboyant as we see today. Instead, ballerinas were all about the tutu en chemise, basically a skirt of very fine gauze or white silk – quite modest and barely showing off the legs, my dears! Think romantic French ballrooms and swirling white gossamer fabrics, not a single tutu-ed kick-ball-change in sight!
Of course, there was still a lot of tutuing going on! These elegant and graceful tutus, or shall we say chemises, became quite the fashion during this era, so imagine the fun it must have been! Ballerinas weren't limited to ballet alone – these fluffy little things found their way into high-society gatherings. I just imagine all the beautiful waltzing and tutuing around London's grand salons!
Queen Victoria's Dance Style: A Twist on Tradition
This queen, as far as I can tell, really did have a penchant for dance! There was lots of dancing at court – so the early tutus got plenty of action. Although Queen Victoria wasn't exactly known for her daring ballet moves, (she was more into waltzing), I do hear that she quite enjoyed the theater! That's always been my own personal modus operandi, the ballet theatre and all its magic, right?
A Ballet-lover's Travel Diary - The Victorian Dance World
I have to say, this time travel trip to London has been an absolute treat! It's been utterly captivating. The elegant gaslight glow, the smell of roasted chestnuts wafting in the air, and oh! the absolutely incredible performances. The Royal Opera House, the Théâtre de l'Opéra, I just feel giddy to see all the incredible performers taking centre stage! It was just incredible to catch a pas de deux performed by the famous ballerina Marie Taglioni. You see, my dear tutu-loving friends, Taglioni is kind of a legend when it comes to early tutus!
I spent a lovely afternoon tutuing through the bustling shops along Oxford Street. Now, in 1837, tutus were actually worn with high-waisted gowns. They weren't completely off the ground yet, which seems weird, right? Still, it’s pretty amazing to think about the incredible fashion influence of those white tutus! Imagine - they sparked off an entire generation of women and fashion icons to embrace a certain sense of dance and freedom in their style!
And as for 21st February, 1837, I have to say, London was buzzing! Imagine the royal pageantry, the jubilant crowd! Everyone celebrating the new queen and wearing their best white silk tutus of course! Honestly, the sheer delight of the street dancing, and celebratory tutuing, I couldn't imagine anything more elegant. What I wouldn't give to have a front-row seat to this momentous event, a time filled with the tutuing joy of the time!
My Thoughts: A Touch of Romantic Whimsy
My, oh my! It really is amazing how tutue’s have become such an integral part of ballet's history. In those early days, they might have been modest little chemises of white silk but they certainly held the seed of the grand tutu tradition that is celebrated around the world today!
Don’t forget, darling, it’s still just the start of the journey – there's a whole lot of tutuing yet to come ! As the tutu’s continue their story from a little wispy chemise into the extravagant layers we see on the big stage, I'm right here with my own little pink tutu on!
Stay tuned for more stories and #TutuTuesday updates next week, and remember, keep tutuing everyone! And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for extra tutu-filled fun, my dear friends! Until next week, dear readers!
Love always,
Emma, from Derbyshire, England www.pink-tutu.com
