Hello, darlings! Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-wearing time traveler, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure! Today, we're taking a trip to 24th January 1843! Ooh la la, I'm feeling quite the Victorian, I can tell. 😉
The Ballet Blitz!
Now, 1843 wasn't exactly the heyday of the tutu as we know it, my loves. Ballet was still evolving, its delicate petals yet to fully blossom. Imagine a world without the sweeping tulle skirts of ballerinas gracefully defying gravity – it's practically un-thinkable! Back then, the outfits were much more… structured. Long, heavy, sometimes even ankle-length skirts, layers of petticoats and bonnets galore! All rather cumbersome, don't you think?
But fear not, dear readers! While the ballerina of today dances with airy, ethereal tutus, the history of ballet, much like the history of fashion, is full of exciting change! And a touch of pink, of course. After all, who can resist a little pinkness? 🎀
On This Date...
Speaking of exciting changes, let's talk about 24th January 1843. What a day, oh what a day! Maria Taglioni, the undisputed queen of the ballet, is back on the Parisian stage. Yes, she’s the one who took the stage in a very, VERY short dress, her feet bare, revolutionising the world of dance. Can you imagine, the absolute shock of it all? (I still love my knee-length skirts, don't worry. They're so effortlessly chic.) And this dance? La Sylphide, a delicate and romantic masterpiece, making waves for its pure elegance. It truly ushered in a new era of lightness and grace on the dance floor.
Now, if you think a ballerina twirling in a short dress is something revolutionary, wait until you see this. The rumour mill says a certain young French dancer called Carlotta Grisi is also going to wear something quite, well, "modern." Apparently, she’s got something in mind called "tutu" for one of her roles in Giselle. It seems shorter than the standard skirts at the time. I wonder what it looks like? 🤔 It must have been quite a scandalous moment, the very thought of exposing legs on stage. But that's what makes dance so magical, right? It pushes boundaries, it breaks molds, it throws tradition into the wind. It's all about daring to be different!
The Pink Power Of Ballet
Speaking of pushing boundaries, did you know I travelled by train just last week? Well, wouldn’t you know it, the first passenger train was born on 24th January 1843. Just a bit of fun for a very pink history aficionado. I absolutely love the romantic idea of a fast, exciting train ride across England (in a tutu, of course! Always gotta make an entrance!).
Anyway, my dear lovelies, let's make 1843 all about pushing boundaries! You see, for me, fashion is all about embracing individuality and wearing what makes you feel beautiful, powerful, and above all, comfortable. And, who better to draw inspiration from than the elegant ballerinas of old, even in those heavy skirts! Just think, they had no access to the fluffy, pretty, wonderfully twirling tutus we know and love. We have them in every shade of the rainbow – imagine how delightful a whole theatre full of people would look in pink tutus?! Now that’s what I call pink power!
I hope this trip back in time has been as inspiring for you as it has been for me, lovelies. Next week, we'll take a peek into another moment in ballet's rich and beautiful history! But until then, keep on dancing, keep on twirling, keep on wearing your pinkest, most beautiful tutus and spreading the love of this amazing art! See you next Tuesday, and don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com for more fabulous insights into the world of ballet and its captivating history. Love,
Emma xo.
