Hello, my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for our weekly journey back in time to explore the wonderful world of ballet tutus.
This week, we're whisking ourselves back to November 15th, 1842, a date that, believe it or not, is a pivotal one in the history of the tutu! You see, this very date saw the opening of the Grand Theatre in Nice, France, and you wouldn't believe the grand affair it was.
You're probably thinking "Nice? Tutús?" Now, my dears, it wasn't quite the grand, fluffy tutu we know and love today, but it was a major stepping stone in the journey to our beloved pink creations. Back then, ballet skirts were rather long and elaborate, a far cry from the elegant simplicity of our modern tutus.
The star of the show that evening was none other than Fanny Elssler, a celebrated dancer with a reputation for both her impressive skill and, if we’re being honest, her risqué costumes. Risqué you ask? Well, by the standards of the time, it sure was! Fanny's costumes were **so shocking, she even attracted criticism and even caused quite the stir among the more conservative ladies!
However, the controversy is what, in a way, helped spark a revolutionary change in dance attire. Think of it like this - if no one raised an eyebrow, those long skirts would have kept on going! Thankfully, with Fanny's captivating dancing and controversial costuming, she inadvertently led to something even more fantastic: a shortened skirt, highlighting her legs and the beautiful flow of her movements!
Now, this revolutionary shortening wasn't quite the tutu we know today. But let me tell you, it was the start of something amazing. From there, those skirts started to evolve. It was as though the Grand Theatre opening had unleashed a tsunami of twirling creativity! The dance world became fascinated with new ways to embellish these shorter skirts, leading to different shapes, textures, and colors! They weren't just for ballet anymore either, as even ordinary folk, from all walks of life, were experimenting with these styles in their day-to-day fashion.
This isn't just a tale about one particularly shocking dance performance, but about the constant push for creativity within the world of dance. Fanny’s grand and revolutionary performance made us fall in love with the idea of tutus, even before we really had the word "tutu"! It's this constant push for innovation that brought us to the whimsical wonders that are tutus today.
I love these tales of early tutu history! It's inspiring to think about how a single dance and its scandalous costume sparked a revolution. As for my trip to France in 1842, it was absolutely fantastic! The Grand Theatre itself is such a charming, elegant building! I, of course, donned a glorious pink tutu that nearly caused a commotion itself!
This week's #TutuTuesday was all about recognizing how a daring act can lead to incredible fashion history! Even a shortening of a skirt could transform not just a dance, but a whole world of possibilities for a ballerina's elegance!
Speaking of possibilities, dear friends, have you booked your ballet tickets yet? It's time for you to witness these magnificent tutus in action! Don't forget to pick your favourite pink tutu and come on down to a ballet performance! Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Until next time, keep on twirling!
Lots of love,
Emma
- Queen Victoria was still reigning over Britain!
- The steam engine had just started becoming common.
- The first ever photograph was only eight years old!!
If you loved this post, keep checking in for more #TutuTuesday adventures every Tuesday right here at Pink-Tutu.com. Follow me on social media @PinkTutuBlogger to see behind-the-scenes photos from my time travelling, shopping and more. I look forward to reading your thoughts!
