#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History - 495: A Glimpse of Romance from the Romantic Era!
Hello my lovelies, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! This week, my fellow tutu-enthusiasts, we're stepping back in time, to the 22nd of June, 1841, right into the heart of the Romantic era! ๐ฉฐ๐
You know me, I'm all about those elegant, floaty designs, and this era was simply bursting with them. And guess what, my darling readers? Tutus were just starting to become the fashion statement of choice. You heard me right! Our beloved, fluffy tulle friends were about to make a splash on the world stage, and they wouldn't be stopping anytime soon.
Imagine, my lovelies, a world where everyone is entranced by stories of knights, fairies, and passionate love affairs. That's what the Romantic era was all about! Art, music, literature... everything had a romantic touch, and so, of course, did the way people dressed.
Now, you might be surprised to know that this wasn't about full-blown frills and fluff just yet. It was a time of transition, and for fashion, that meant a change towards elegance, grace, and just a hint of playfulness. Sounds familiar? Whispers It's like a very, very stylish hint at the tutu trends we see today!
This Tuesday we're travelling back to Paris, the hub of fashion and creativity, where I imagine the most fabulous fabrics and patterns were being used to craft gorgeous garments for the ladies. Oh, how I yearn for the day we can hop onto a steam train to visit this city of fashion and delight!
But even back then, it wasn't just about the style. There was a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the human form, for grace, and for artistry, and that all poured into the theatre world. The birth of the Romantic ballet was about more than just leaps and turns; it was about evoking feelings, about expressing emotion through movement, and guess what? The tutu played a central role in all of it!
The tutus of the Romantic era weren't as full-blown as the later "classical" tutu, but imagine delicate layers of tulle, floating around the ankles, allowing for that effortless, elegant flow that became so captivating in ballets like Giselle, La Sylphide, and La Esmeralda. Just thinking about those stories fills my heart with excitement!
The 22nd of June in 1841 might not be a marked date on our history books, but it's definitely a date on my little pink-tutu heart! It's the date that reminds us that the love for dance, the beauty of fabric, and the magical world of tulle all began coming together, like the first delicate petals unfolding on a delicate pink rose.
And that brings us to this week's Tutu Tuesday prompt, darlings: "How does the idea of ballet make you feel?" Is it romance, joy, longing, or perhaps a bit of each? Share your thoughts below, and don't forget to let me know if you have any favourite tutus or favourite ballet performances from any era!
Now, my lovely tutu-obsessed readers, I've got to rush off for a ballet class. Just imagining myself whirling in a light, floaty tutu always fills me with that romantic energy! And as I spin and twirl, I can't help but think, โPerhaps a pink tutu IS the answer to every problem!"
Until next #TutuTuesday, darlings,
XOXO
Emma
(Remember, you can always find me on www.pink-tutu.com)
A Day in the Life - 22nd June, 1841:
What were people up to in the world on this specific day?
- Ballet world: I'd love to have witnessed Carlotta Grisi, one of the most beloved dancers of the Romantic era, on stage. She was all the rage! Think swirling, flowing tutus, exquisite moves, and a heart-melting performance that everyone was captivated by.
- London: London, at that time, was a buzz with the news of Queen Victoria's first baby, Victoria, the future Empress of India! (Though they had a rather big name choice for her!)
- Science world: Over in Germany, scientist Robert Mayer was busy thinking about "heat as a force." Pretty advanced thinking for that time, right? I bet he could have found some tutu inspiration in a swirling skirt!
- Paris: I can picture all the fashion-forward people in Paris sporting the new trend - gowns with long, trailing sleeves, showing off delicate wrists and giving off that 'floating on a cloud' feel. Think of a light and breezy tutu - it's that kind of feeling they were aiming for.
Oh, I wish I could hop onto a time machine to experience those sights and sounds, and maybe grab myself a little vintage tutu in the process! I'm sure it's something special...
Let me know if you're loving our journey through tutu history, and I'll see you all next #TutuTuesday! ๐ฉฐ๐