Oh, hello my lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad blogger, Emma, here, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! It’s so exciting to be back here, sharing with you all my love for tutus and delving deep into the history of these incredible dance garments!
Today, we're time-travelling back to October 30th, 1838, a date that wouldn't have seemed very tutu-centric at all to the average person in 19th-century England (unless they were an avid ballet enthusiast, of course!). Back then, the tutus we know and love were still in their formative stages, just beginning their journey to become the iconic dancewear they are today!
It feels quite surreal to imagine that I, in my fabulous pink tutu, could have been a mere apparition in this period of time! Just imagine, the streets wouldn't be awash with a kaleidoscope of tutus - that would have to wait a few decades. I bet I'd cause a bit of a stir - not that that's anything new to me. 😉
You know, you would be absolutely amazed to hear what ballet performances were like back then. Not to knock those brave early ballet dancers - they had incredible strength and artistry - but, my darling tutus, it wasn’t all romance and pirouettes! It was a far cry from the sleek and fluid dance styles that I absolutely adore and that have captured hearts all over the world.
Now, October 30th, 1838. Let’s dive in! What is there to mention about this date that will resonate with all you lovely tutu-lovers out there?
Well, this date is particularly interesting as it was only a few short months after the birth of ballet legend, the grande dame of dance, Anna Pavlova. The little miss herself! The most exquisite, beautiful ballerina of her time, who stole the hearts of millions with her grace and delicate dance style. I have such an incredible, intense love for this ballerina! She’s truly a queen.
Imagine that! A future icon being born on this day. 1838, a year already bursting with tutu-potential. Imagine the young, delicate dancer she would grow into. She would, of course, become synonymous with the Romantic era, a time when ballet took on an even greater degree of emotionality and expressive power! A time that also, as it turns out, played a rather large part in shaping the evolution of the tutu itself!
And wouldn't you know, today, October 30th, 1838, a little, humble tutu, made its humble first public appearance, even if a little unconventional. This time, in La Esmeralda by Marius Petipa, we're seeing a ballerina wear a short tulle skirt! It might not be what you or I imagine a ballet tutu to be - yet it's the tiny seed, a *little bit of tulle in a grand history! It's a very big deal indeed, marking a turning point from the more rigid styles of past. This is such a fascinating turning point in the evolution of this extraordinary garment that would become *the dance staple in ballet! So, you know what they say - Every little step!
Imagine the excitement, the sense of anticipation! A glimpse of what's to come - shorter and shorter, more voluminous, and lighter tutus, and of course, an ever-increasing amount of Pink! The era of the tutu was really just beginning!
But let’s get back to that most delightful train trip to the grand ballet show in the city! It always feels a little bit like I am taking a journey back in time. The journey by steam train is quite exquisite and the train carriages are so spacious - it really is a fabulous journey and everyone is beautifully dressed in long skirts and with fashionable hats - always so chic! When I have finished my blog I am going to get the afternoon train from my local station to the grand City. It really does take me out of the hustle and bustle of the streets - such a glorious change of scene and environment.
I'm always amazed by how far back the history of ballet goes. Who knows what sartorial gems lie waiting for me in my time travels to come? You can bet your bottom dollar (and even if you don’t bet a bottom dollar, you can definitely bet on it!), that I will be finding them for you all, every TutuTuesday. Be sure to catch my posts - I post every week on www.pink-tutu.com - my very own space to share all my passion for everything pink, tutu-tastic, and lovely with you.
In the meantime, have a happy Tuesday and don't forget to keep that pink tutu spirit alive, darling. If it's alright with you, I think we should all go and put a big pink tutu on the world!
Love, Emma 💕
The Little Bits You Didn't Know - Post 357's Trivia Tidbits:Here's the most delicious little ballet fact for your evening enjoyment! Did you know that even when there's no pink, a ballet always holds the colour of my heart:
1832. The grand, magnificent Russian Imperial Ballet was founded in Saint Petersburg. Now this is something to really celebrate. How amazing is it? This year marks the creation of what would later become the Bolshoi Ballet! That little pink tulle that I found is making an impact already! The story is already shaping and transforming with those ballet dancers moving ever closer to those stunning costumes and tutus of my dream. **
And in our future, we know that Russia has some amazing ballerina fashion designers: The iconic Moscow State Academic Bolshoi Theater would host some of the world’s most beautiful productions. All the ballerinas so beautifully clad in breathtaking costumes - oh I do love to dream!
Until next Tuesday! Love, Emma 💖
