Welcome, lovelies! It's your favourite tutu-tastic Tuesday, and I'm back with another blast from the past for my Ballet Tutu History series. This week, we're pirouetting our way to 13th February 1838! Fancy a time travelling escapade, my darlings?
This is #TutuTuesday blog post number 320 on www.pink-tutu.com, and we're really building quite a collection now, aren't we? Each week, I take you back to another year to reveal the fascinating world of the ballet tutu. From those early days of billowing silks to the structured marvels we wear today, the tutu has come a long way - and with each step, we uncover a tale to tell.
Now, hop onto the time machine, darlings, as we journey back to London! (I travelled by train, of course - it's the most fabulous way to get around, even in 1838). Let me take you to a world of bustling streets, where horse-drawn carriages clatter over cobbled roads, and the air is thick with the smoky aroma of factories.
The year is 1838. Queen Victoria is on the throne, and London's theatrical scene is brimming with life! Oh, the glamour of it all, even if we are a long way from those wonderful tutus you find me swishing around in now! The ballerinas of this era would have worn long, flowing gowns with delicate embellishments - the kind of garments perfect for a whirl around the ballroom! Imagine twirling with the graceful Marie Taglioni! But remember, my dear readers, a tutu, as we know it, simply wasn't around. Not yet, anyway!
It’s fascinating to think of how much the ballet world has changed, isn't it? Now, a ballerina wouldn't be seen without a tutu. We’re on the brink of seeing some huge shifts! But, you can be certain of one thing, these revolutionary garments won’t arrive by themselves. No, dear reader, those pioneering tutus were inspired by dancers themselves - and one specific woman comes to mind: Marie Taglioni! You'll find her featured in many a Tutu Tuesday blog, let me assure you!
A little whisper, darlings: We are on the cusp of a tutu revolution! So, put on your favourite pink tutu (it’s the perfect colour for making a splash, darling) and grab a cup of tea (my favourite pastime!). Join me in stepping back into a pivotal era in the ballet tutu's fascinating history, right here, right now!
A Bit of History on a Beautiful Date:February the 13th is, sadly, not known for being the most eventful of dates in the grand theatre of ballet history. No exciting premieres, no world-changing debut, just an ordinary day in the grand unfolding of time!
However, my dear readers, don't think this date is a bore, for its mundane nature gives us a unique opportunity to pause, imagine ourselves in 1838, and appreciate how a simple day in this distant year laid the groundwork for all the wonderful, tutu-filled, ballets to come! It makes you appreciate the beautiful little moments, doesn’t it? The beauty in the quietude, as a wise man from Derbyshire, England, might say!
A glimpse of what life would be like in London!Picture, my lovelies, London in 1838 - a city brimming with new ideas! The steam engine was just beginning to change life for the better - faster transport for everyone! Think of all the new, creative ideas being forged during this vibrant time - even fashion was being transformed by the growing accessibility to new materials, as well as innovative techniques for production! Imagine the wonders of textiles they must have found!
Even if a tutu is missing from the picture, a ballet performance would have been an incredible social affair, my dear reader. Can you picture all those elegant gowns in a beautiful theatre setting? An array of soft, shimmering colours, glittering jewels and, oh, those enchanting waltzes! All the theatre seats in a row and a symphony playing, making hearts beat to a harmonious rhythm!
Perhaps some young dancers of 1838 were watching and thinking, What if? What if our costumes could flow and move in time with the music? What if we were as light and airy as the steps we were dancing?
Wouldn’t it be fun to dress in an 1838 ball gown and head to the opera! Maybe to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. We could dress like the beautiful, ethereal women from a Romantic novel - with delicate hairstyles and the most breathtaking dresses! Such elegance and refinement!
Now, close your eyes, ladies. Breathe in the aroma of pipe smoke and beeswax candles, the rustle of taffeta skirts and the echo of elegant chatter. That, my lovelies, is London in 1838, ready to welcome those very first steps in a tutu’s glorious history!
And I, in my oh-so-stylish pink tutu, shall await with you, eager for a glimpse of the day when those beautiful, revolutionary designs will burst onto the scene. Remember my lovelies, no matter what your age, we're all stars on the stage of life, and everyone looks magnificent in a pink tutu! Now go forth and twirl with a sparkle in your eye, my loves! See you next Tuesday!
*Emma*