Dearest Readers,
Welcome back to another installment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History series! Iām Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and today weāre venturing back to 25th April 1837, a truly momentous occasion in ballet history, even if not quite as celebrated as some later events. Buckle up, my darlings, for a whirlwind tour of fashion, romance, and a certain royal airā¦
Imagine: the bustling streets of London, carriages clinking, ladies in their fineryā¦and oh, the drama of it all!
You see, on this very day, young Queen Victoria, just 18 years old, ascended to the throne! Now, donāt mistake me for some historical buff, my knowledge lies primarily in the realm of tulle and taffeta, but even I know this was a big deal! Imagine a ballet about it, all delicate flounces representing the intricate gowns of the Court, and grand jetĆ©s celebrating her reign! It practically writes itself, donāt you think?
Now, you may be thinking, āEmma, whatās this got to do with tutus? Isnāt this a royal event, not a ballet event?ā And my sweet, clever reader, youāre absolutely right! But thereās a catch. See, 1837 also happened to mark a year before Carmina Burana was first performed (1838) - and it was a piece inspired by the ballet - though its dance components weren't fully integrated until its reworking in 1937, but that's another story for another Tuesday! This is my point: as much as the world was focusing on Queen Victoria, in the realms of dance, an evolution was already taking place. The Romantic period in ballet, fueled by innovative choreographers and an emerging desire for storytelling through movement, was flourishing. Think of Giselle with its flowing white skirts, the beginnings of the tutu we know and love!
Even if there weren't dramatic dance-driven historical events, just think about all the gorgeous fashions gracing the era! Itās like a dream straight out of Gone With the Wind. Full-bodied gowns, elaborate hairstylesā¦ I imagine the dancers even on their days off would be stepping out in beautiful frocks! They could have literally become a dance through their fashion, imagine swirling skirts as they walked - that is a level of effortless grace!
As a fellow lover of pink, my heart melts at the thought of Victorian ladies' rose-hued outfits. And while pink tulle didnāt necessarily take centre stage on that fateful April 25th (though you never know, maybe someone did a daring outfit choice!), the seeds of our tutu obsession were already being sown! Think about all the delicate layers of fabric used for gowns and undergarmentsāthat's where we get our delicate, flowy tutus from!
Of course, my trip back to 1837 wouldn't be complete without experiencing a performance. Now, London in those days boasted numerous theatre spaces, so you can imagine the plethora of exciting ballet choices. My top pick would be a performance of the popular La Sylphide. This piece, with its ethereal ballerina draped in a shimmering white skirt, embodied the spirit of romantic ballet perfectly, much like the elegant women and delicate sensibilities of the time. Oh, how I would love to see the soft, billowing white skirts floating across the stage - Iād be ready with my sketch pad, of course, because it's vital to study the evolution of the tutu in every form!
As I always say, my dear readers, ballet is a timeless dance, constantly evolving and inspiring new trends in the world of fashion, and we're so lucky to get to share its beauty with each other. Every single ballet step takes us back to these incredible times and the passionate creators and performers of this elegant form. Now, let's talk about today. What pink tutu are you rocking? I can't wait to see you, dear readers!
Stay fashionable!
Emma
(Psst, want more history? Check out last weekās post all about tutus on a completely different date! And let me know - what is YOUR favorite time period for ballet fashion?)
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