Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, lovelies! It’s your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, here, and today we’re travelling back in time! Buckle your tiaras, darlings, because we’re headed for 1837 and the dawn of a magnificent pink era in the ballet world!
Now, you might think that tutus have been around forever, swirling in elegant pirouettes on stage since the dawn of time. But believe me, the tutu is a relatively new creation, a child of the 19th century, born into a world of romanticism and extravagance. It wasn't the poofy, frothy number we adore today, but it's a tutu all the same - a dress, if you will, for the graceful stories of dance. It was all thanks to a bold, forward-thinking choreographer who decided to set his ballerinas free, shedding the cumbersome skirts of yore and unleashing their movements. This was a true tutu revolution, leading to a complete reimagining of what a dancer’s silhouette could be.
I am thrilled to announce this date, May 23, 1837, marks an extraordinary milestone in fashion history! A most exciting event in London, the capital of elegance and grandeur! This was the day Queen Victoria, who you all know and love, was crowned Queen of England, making this the day we’re heading to on our time travel adventure.
For a girl like me, nothing spells glamour and grace more than a ballet, and the celebrations for a royal coronation in London must have been something to behold, just imagine the fabulous outfits and the spectacular scenery of the streets and theatre performances! I would have loved to be a part of all that excitement. I'm just swoon-worthy picturing the grandeur of that day and I know you lovely ladies are with me on this!
Now, let’s talk tutus! Tutuses in 1837 were more about hinting at a ballerina's shape, more about suggestion and movement, than showcasing every curve. It was all about elegant lightness, a vision of beauty in motion, a graceful whisper of romance. I know we are about to enter a very long journey and with my love for ballet it wouldn't surprise you to know that I’ve delved into this historical era - and, let me tell you, the tutu is quite fascinating!
My little bit of time travel tells me that there was no shortage of innovation in the fashion world back then, from the designs of Marie Taglioni, the ballerina who truly kickstarted this tutu revolution, and all the talented dancers who came after her. I must tell you all about a lovely book that I came across - it tells us about the elegant ‘Romantic Era’ that was the birth of ballet fashion and the era of Marie Taglioni. I’m sure it's been on many of you book wishlists, so keep an eye out. You’ll find fabulous inspiration in its images, even if you are an advanced ballet fanatic! Let’s be honest, tutus have always been about fashion as much as performance, don't you think? A ballet is an opportunity to dream up new ways to express the ballerina's story through a dance.
Speaking of new stories, you lovely lot need to know that I have been travelling all over, keeping an eye on this week's #TutuTuesday event from my cosy time machine. You just can't keep this ballerina away from the bright lights! London has been a favourite city of mine for centuries, you already know how I love to find myself amidst the bustle, the charm of the streets, the gorgeous department stores and beautiful ballet shows. I was just exploring the theatre district this weekend, and, believe me, the shops were bursting with elegant, beautifully embellished tulle gowns that reminded me so much of the elegant tutus of this era. It felt as if I could walk onto a grand ballet stage in London and immediately feel a part of history in the making.
There was another amazing thing that caught my eye – a beautiful ballet school I saw close by on my walk that brought back memories. Ballet classes at that time - and honestly still now – were (and are) about so much more than learning dance. The school itself felt a haven, filled with talented dancers who had an immense passion for ballet like me. It is so inspiring to see people who love ballet! I feel a special bond with my fellow ballerinas, just like when I perform and take a bow to my audience - all those bright lights, that sweet, gentle applause, and the energy I share with the people around me. Ballet is all about creating connections. You don’t get more connected than when you dance, it doesn't matter if it's in a grand theatre or your local studio, you’ll be part of the community that makes up this world we share.
While we're on the topic of London, let’s delve a little further into its fascinating role in the tutu story! Imagine the Royal Opera House on Covent Garden! This is the iconic venue where Marie Taglioni first made history in 1832, twirling on a stage adorned with exquisite gaslight-sparkled tulle wearing a skirt just three layers deep (it might only have been a simple number for us today, but in that time, it was utterly radical!* This is how we became *The Pink Tutu blogger – by dancing and exploring those connections across time! I am eternally grateful for all of our shared history and the connection of tutus and ballet throughout the ages!
But the fashion that is most important for me is a pink tutu! Every week, I wear my pink tutu in London! It's truly one of my all-time favourite things to wear, my little reminder to make the world a more pink and lovely place! A colour so light and delicate – yet also powerful and expressive.
So, darlings, for all you lovely pink tutu fans who are in Derbyshire and beyond! Keep your eyes on the streets, museums, theatres, libraries, galleries, shops, ballet schools and studios in England and the wider world for inspiration for our tutu world. And please join me, darling friends! Come with me, to dance with history!
Pinkfully yours,
Emma
*P.S. Stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday where we'll be travelling a little further forward in time! I have so many exciting tidbits of tutu history to share, all of which have inspired my ballerina world. And, be sure to keep in touch – send me a tweet about where you are finding tutus in the world this week. And as always, don't forget to put on your best pink tutu this Tuesday and dance your heart out! *
