#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1837-05-16

Hello, my darlings! It's your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back for another fabulous Tutu Tuesday! Today, we're stepping back in time to the glorious year 1837 - a time of lace, ruffles, and... drumroll… the birth of the modern tutu as we know it! Oh, it was such an exciting time for dancing and fashion, and my trip back was a whirl of swirling tulle and decadent delights.

(Spoiler alert: This isn’t a history lesson, darlings! I’m talking about all things pretty, exciting and a touch glamorous, because even the most historical events can be oh-so-pink and fabulous!)

It's quite incredible to think that 1837 also marked the start of Queen Victoria's reign - an era brimming with style, grace, and naturally a love for everything girly. This was the golden age for the ballet, and the dancers of the day, bless their little hearts, were just thrilling in their billowing gowns. You could just see them dancing their hearts out in long, sweeping dresses, full of flounces and fabric. Now, I must confess, as much as I adore classic beauty, there's just something about the freedom and movement that comes with a well-shaped, frothy tutu!

Before I hop back to the 19th century, let's imagine ourselves for a moment, in the midst of London's grand theatres! We’re in the Royal Opera House, enjoying a production of “La Sylphide”, and I'm absolutely smitten with the airy, flowing white tulle on the ballerinas! What we're seeing here, darlings, is nothing short of history being made. This "La Sylphide" production marked the debut of the iconic tutu as we know it - lighter, shorter, and perfectly suited for the intricate steps and expressive movement.

Imagine this: The dancers swirling on the stage, their skirts billowing outwards like whispers of clouds, the way their graceful movements are so free! Oh, it truly was magical! They say it was Marie Taglioni, the prima ballerina herself, who inspired the designer Eugène Lami to create these delightful tulle marvels, and can you imagine how beautiful they must have looked against the warm candlelight of the theatre? Absolutely stunning!

Now, I know what you're thinking! A white tutu? But dear hearts, you’ve just seen the beginning! Pink didn't enter the stage of ballet fashion right away - although, imagine a white tutu trimmed with pale pink satin ribbon - a true sign of the fabulous era that followed. Imagine how the shade of pink would have flattered the dancer’s graceful forms - perfectly ethereal, don't you think? I definitely would've brought some extra pink into the performance!

*(Hint, hint: maybe I'll be bringing some *pink history to future Tutu Tuesday blogs! 😉 )

There's something about London's energy that sets my heart racing – especially in 1837. There was a vibrant sense of movement, energy and creativity swirling through the air, just as our little tutu-clad ballerinas pirouette through the ballet. Think of all the beautiful things going on: theatres, museums, shops, bustling with fashion, laughter and, oh yes, definitely ballet performances. The theatres, brimming with grand ladies and dashing gentlemen all eager to experience a magical performance. Oh, to witness the excitement in their eyes as the dancers gracefully move to music!

Speaking of fashion… darling, we are so lucky to have experienced the gorgeous fashion that blossomed in the Victorian era! Imagine all those bonnets, dresses, and ruffles, a whirlwind of colour and elegance. They did take a bit of effort, to be sure - imagine those corset ties! And even for someone like me, a tiny bit daunting! But, the effort was so worth it! The ladies looked divine in all their finery and there was a charming touch of “effortlessly beautiful” to all those layers and flowing lines. And they certainly had their fun: social events, concerts, dances… It was just like we were living in a pretty pink painting!

(But let’s be honest, those corseted gowns probably didn’t exactly lend themselves to grand jetés… oh, my tutu is so much better! 😉)

As you know, I travel back in time through ballet performances, darlings! What a lovely life, wouldn't you say? I go back in time to explore a fascinating past and return to today's world with renewed excitement for ballet. Each visit adds a touch of pink, and makes me love my pink tutu a little bit more.

So, as I step back into 2023, with a whirlwind of pink and ballet magic in my head, remember what we learned today, darlings! This is the year when the world fell in love with the modern tutu, the year of lace, ribbons and billowing skirts! Think of the beauty and grace that marked that era – oh, I could never get enough of it! But my favourite bit of 1837 is, well, it has to be all the wonderful dance!

And to the wonderful you… well, how can I leave you without a call to dance? Why don’t we grab our favourite tulle skirts and go swirl around, imagining we are on the stage at the Royal Opera House, just as those amazing ballerinas were over 180 years ago. It’s all about the fun, remember? Let’s go on our own private tutu time travel, a world filled with twirls, ribbons, and…of course…pink!

Until next Tutu Tuesday, stay twirling!

Emma xx