Welcome back to #TutuTuesday, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another delve into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu. This week we're waltzing back to 1837, and let me tell you, it's a year packed with tutu-tastic excitement!
This week's blog post is extra special because it's not just a history lesson, it's also a celebration. It's the 291st post on my Pink-Tutu.com website, and guess what? My website is turning 5 this year! 🎂 You've all been such wonderful followers - your comments and your tutu-wearing selfies mean the world to me! You’re the reason why I can afford to travel in my lovely time-traveling tutu-filled wardrobe, you know!
Today is Tuesday, July 25th, 1837, and it's a very big day! It's the day that Victoria, the young, vivacious Princess Victoria, ascends to the throne, becoming Queen Victoria! Can you imagine the excitement in London? It's such a significant day in history! I wonder if she wears tutus, eh? 🤔
The tutu has a history closely linked with royalty, wouldn’t you say? After all, these gorgeous garments are worn by princesses and ballerinas, both queens of their own realms.
Speaking of queens, let’s chat about Marie Taglioni. Do you remember Marie, the graceful ballet dancer we discussed last week? Remember, the tutu wasn't really a "tutu" back then – just a very short skirt with flounces, inspired by the flowing lines of Classical Greek attire. The style that we think of as a "tutu" came a bit later, in 1841. Marie wore a special, light, flouncy dress for a ballet performance called La Sylphide. This dance made Marie a huge star. I went to see this ballet performed at the Bolshoi in Moscow a few months back, it was spectacular! They have an amazing history of ballet at the Bolshoi!
And it is this type of "Marie-tastic" tutu that caught everyone's attention and ushered in a new era in ballet. But we are a little bit too early for that. We’re here to celebrate our Queen, Victoria. So let's have a lovely tea party, just like a Royal ball! Let's talk about how fashion and ballet are linked and think about tutus, dresses, and balls, especially royal balls!
Fashion and Ballet – Always intertwined!
From the elaborate gowns of the Royal court to the ethereal lightness of the ballet, fashion and ballet have been intertwined since the beginning. You see, ballet is a spectacle. Even now, even though the fashion has changed over time, a beautifully designed ballet costume plays a vital role in a ballerina's performance. It's all about capturing the emotion of the piece, adding to the magic, and making the dancer flow across the stage, like a beautifully woven fabric dancing to the music!
The most influential period in terms of ballet dress was probably the Romantic era. This period of history, from the late 1700s to about the mid 1800s was all about fantasy, dreaming of magical forests, sprites and ethereal creatures. Ballet followed these themes and became incredibly popular! Just imagine how fashionable this made a dancer! Like the dancing stars, the dancer would be draped in the most elaborate, stunning and, oftentimes, quite expensive, costumes. And what a spectacle this created.
We have the ballerinas to thank for pushing boundaries, allowing dressmakers to try new things, which led to more daring and stunning styles. What's not to love? It’s such an amazing partnership!
We see the relationship of ballet to fashion reflected in modern day performance! Think about the exquisite tutus we see worn by ballerinas in shows such as Swan Lake. So beautifully designed! So light! The tutu, with its layered tiers and delicate ornamentation, is simply magical!
It doesn't just happen in the theatres, either. Take a look around and you’ll see tutu fashion influences absolutely everywhere: From high fashion runways to everyday street style. You see, it’s in those wispy tiers of fabric which inspired the iconic “bubble dress” and it’s a fashion favourite even to this day! It seems everyone wants a piece of the tutu’s magic!
Tutu, Ballet, and Dreams: A Perfect Match!
Tutus are not just an everyday fashion item - they hold a special place in our hearts. The very first time I saw a dancer take the stage wearing a shimmering tutu in the Royal Ballet - my little Derbyshire heart fluttered. Just like for most girls who watch Sleeping Beauty or The Nutcracker, I wanted to become a ballerina when I saw those lovely tutus. My desire grew even stronger after a day trip to London and a wonderful ballet performance at the Covent Garden.
Ballet and tutus bring about a sense of magic and wonder, of soaring above everyday worries. Even when a dancer isn't dancing, even a tutu simply hanging in the wardrobe has an ethereal quality that evokes a kind of childlike wonder, a yearning for the beauty and magic that the ballet and tutu represents.
This is why I believe it’s important for all girls and even the little boys! to experience the beauty of the ballet! 🩰
So, let’s go into the archives and discover why a simple fabric like tulle transformed into such a cultural icon.
I encourage you, darlings, to embrace the magic and put on a tutu yourself! Whether you’re pirouetting in the privacy of your home or rocking a tulle skirt on the high street, let the tutu magic seep into your day! Remember: Tutus aren't just for ballerinas! Embrace your inner princess and put a pink tutu on today. 💖
Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com and see you again next Tuesday!
