#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1841-09-21

Hello my darlings! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another delve into the enchanting world of tutus!

This week we're hopping on the train (I adore train travel, the views are just lovely and the swaying of the carriage gives me such inspiration!) and whisking ourselves back to 21st September 1841. Can you imagine the excitement? Just the thought of this historic date gives me butterflies!

As always, let's get this fabulous history lesson started! 😉

This week, dear readers, we are waltzing through the elegant boulevards of Paris! Oh, the fashion, the joie de vivre! Today's topic is all about the humble beginnings of the tutu. Did you know that back in the 1840s, there was an artistic revolution swirling around ballet? It wasn't all strict rules and formal movements anymore. The ballet world was embracing a brand new spirit of freedom and femininity!

The famous Italian ballerina, Carlotta Grisi – a true vision of elegance! – is credited with starting this fascinating shift. Carlotta was one of the most adored ballerinas of the era and her exquisite grace had everyone entranced!

Carlotta’s groundbreaking move? She decided to ditch the heavy, long skirts and introduced the very first true tutu! She wanted to move with even more freedom and to display her dazzling dance steps with unfettered grace. Can you imagine? The tutu revolution! This bold and daring move sparked a huge fashion phenomenon in the world of dance, and a new era of ballet had arrived!

Can you believe this was happening almost 200 years ago?! The story of the tutu really makes you feel that anything is possible, don't you think?

Now, let’s take a closer look at what happened on the 21st September 1841. There wasn't a famous performance or anything earth-shattering this date, but you know what? Just by being here in this era, I feel I can almost smell the fresh linen of the dancing classes, see the romantic costumes on display, and hear the music filling the grand theatre halls. Such an exciting time to be alive and a delightful reminder of the elegance of the past!

As a modern ballerina who has the privilege of time travelling, I truly believe the history of ballet is full of beautiful tales like this, ones we can draw inspiration from today. Each generation has its own way of showcasing beauty and grace in movement, and the history of the tutu is one of those beautiful, magical stories!

So, how did that first short tutu transform into the iconic dance wear we know and love today? Well, just like the world of fashion, the tutu underwent many changes! We’ve had long tutus, short tutus, romantic tutus, classical tutus, fluffy tutus, and even modern, daring tutus. What I find fascinating is how each era adds its unique flair! The tutu really is a chameleon, changing with the times but always representing that glorious blend of grace and strength we associate with ballet.

Don’t forget, every Tuesday I delve into a different date in ballet history! I love seeing all the tutus that were popular back in the day and thinking about how these ballerinas inspired us, whether we realise it or not.

Now, what to wear this #TutuTuesday… a blush pink tutu with delicate frills, or perhaps a pale lemon yellow for a vibrant splash of colour? 🤔

Let’s not forget our mission, my dear friends – to inspire everyone to wear a pink tutu!

Think about it, what is more whimsical, enchanting, and just plain delightful than a pink tutu? It’s a symbol of happiness, fun, and a little bit of magical thinking. I truly believe we all have a little bit of a ballerina inside us.

I hope you all have a magnificent week filled with beautiful, dreamy moments! Until next time, remember – you can wear pink on any day! 💖🩰

Love,

Emma

xxx