Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my darlings! It's Tuesday, and that means it's time for another delightful delve into the history of our beloved ballet tutus. 🩰 Today, we're journeying back to 6th April, 1841, a most pivotal year for the ballet world, and a particularly exciting time for me - because I just know this will make you fall head-over-heels for these glorious dance costumes!
#484: The Story So Far
Now, dear readers, if you've been following my posts, you'll know we've been on a fantastic journey tracing the evolution of the ballet tutu. From the Renaissance and its gorgeous gowns to the looser, freer skirt of the 17th century, the ballet costume was always changing, evolving and refining! And trust me, my dear fashionistas, the evolution was just getting started!
*(Just a little side note here - as you all know I'm a big fan of pink, and there's a pink tutu story here I absolutely *have to share. A few years back I went to the V&A Museum - you know, a little day trip with the girls to see the tutus. And amongst those amazing collections, I found the very first pink tutu ever recorded in history - a beautiful pale, dusty pink, with intricate floral embroidery. Can you imagine - history, made in pink!) **
But back to 1841... We've just popped on the train and arrived in beautiful Paris – oh, the bustle! The energy! And the fashion! Now, I must tell you - Paris is the beating heart of the ballet world right now, where tutus and all things ballet are exploding in popularity. It's practically de rigueur to see dancers in those iconic, frothy tutus flitting about!
And you know what’s even more exciting, dear reader? The very first tutus - drumroll please! - were crafted from... tulle! 😱 Can you believe it? That whisper-light, romantic fabric, woven with such beautiful delicacy and fluidity - absolutely made for movement and showing off those beautiful ballet steps.
Now, let me tell you, the original tulle tutu wasn't the voluminous, multi-layered masterpiece you see in our modern ballets. It was simpler - shorter, a single layer, with more of a bell shape to it. It had such elegance - and think of the ease of movement it provided - what a perfect marriage of artistry and athleticism! I imagine myself swirling and twirling, my tutu just whispering and dancing with every movement!
(Here’s a little secret, darlings: after my show tonight, I’m making a bee-line to the dressmaker in Montmartre. There’s a rumour circulating about an amazing shop selling real Parisian tulle – just wait till you see what I find!)
And do you know what the amazing Marie Taglioni – one of the biggest ballerinas of the day - was known for wearing? You guessed it! Tutus! That's why 1841, in particular, is so important in the tutu story. That year saw the debut of her legendary ballet, "La Sylphide". Just imagine, dear readers - that stunning story of a young woman being wooed by a mysterious spirit - danced out on stage with those delightful tutus! That performance, my dears, was a revolution in ballet - both in terms of dance style and the costume. From that point on, the tutu took the world by storm!
*(Have you ever watched the original footage of “La Sylphide"? It’s like a little peephole into history! Of course, you'll be able to find a link on my blog – this being *the blog for ballet lovers! Don’t worry - the little details make the history come alive.)
Oh! Do you know what else is incredible about 1841? This very day - 6th April 1841 – the first ever Academy of Ballet opened in London! Imagine, darlings – an entire building devoted to learning to move like a ballerina! Can you picture the thrill of attending those first ballet classes - the sheer joy of swirling and leaping with other aspiring dancers?
**(Oh, darling readers - you are all most definitely on the invitation list when my time travel machine reaches London 1841. It’s a definite pink tutu event.)
I just know that when you see a tutu swirling across the stage today, you can now picture it back in that fascinating era – 1841 - and be mesmerised by its captivating story. After all, a tutu is so much more than just a pretty costume – it’s a symbol of the passion, artistry, and power that flows through ballet, both then and now!
I can’t wait to share more stories about the world of tutus, my dears!
See you next week for another Tuesday of Tutu Talk!
And don’t forget, I love seeing your pink tutu photos. Please keep sharing!
Love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.comFind Emma on social media @PinkTutuEmma
