Hello dears, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! I'm Emma, your trusty time-travelling, pink tutu-wearing, ballerina blogger, and I'm absolutely delighted to see you here! Today, we're going on another journey into the past, and this time we're whisking ourselves back to the 9th of May, 1843!
Now, if you're thinking of those dreamy, airy, floating tutus we adore today, picture this: tutus back then were quite different. You wouldn't see a single one of those glorious pouffed layers in all their glorious pinkness – no, 1843 was all about the romantic era! Picture floor-length skirts, beautifully detailed with frills and flounces, and all the drama of that sweeping silhouette. This wasn't the era of jumping, it was the era of graceful poses and languid movement. The emphasis was on beautiful lines, flowing gestures, and breathtaking artistry.
Honestly, darlings, those long skirts weren't exactly practical for twirling and leaping, but oh, how magnificent they looked! Even without the multi-layered poofy magic we know and love, the dancers of that era made their own breathtaking style statement. I imagine their rehearsals might have looked quite comical, with all those layers swirling about! Imagine the endless rehearsal hours of practice perfecting the grace of lifting one foot at a time as if each movement were a perfectly executed brush stroke across a blank canvas.
Imagine, if you will, walking through the cobblestone streets of London, and arriving at a grand theater. You could be mesmerized by a ballet where the dancers were simply captivating!
My travels last week, a ballet performance by a troupe of gifted performers, took me to Vienna. You must imagine it! A glittering opera house bursting with beauty and life! Imagine me, in my darling pink tutu, a pink parasol clutched in my hand, the lights twinkling, and the strains of the orchestra weaving their magic in the air. What a sight! There's simply no other sensation quite like experiencing the past through the magic of a ballet performance.
Now, while 1843 might have had its charms, a truly dazzling explosion of creativity was waiting in the wings – just waiting to be unleashed! Imagine this: the year 1845, when, at last, * the *tutu as we know it emerged!* Think, my darlings, **two little years! What a gift this evolution was for the ballet world – for it was then that the "tutu" was born in the form we recognise it as today. But oh, what a magical journey those early tutus took to arrive at the form we adore. Let me tell you, this transformation took some serious effort, and, I am always keen to see more of those early stories - so I will keep traveling.
That era wasn't only about the skirt! Think of the incredible costumes, darlings. They were simply magnificent. Rich, decadent velvets, satins in jewel tones, intricate beading, and oh, those exquisite laces! Each dancer was a masterpiece. They really knew how to make a statement, didn't they? Imagine the corsage in all its detailed magnificence - it's easy to get carried away in imagining the designs! Every outfit was an artistic spectacle – I'd kill to have a look in the wardrobe department then! Oh, how I do wish I had had my time machine during this era - can you imagine the magnificent fabrics?
But darling, our time-traveling journey can’t end here. What did happen on that magical 9th May in 1843? Let’s see what happened in the wider world on that particular date:
Did you know, that was the day Queen Victoria and Prince Albert left for their first extended visit to Scotland – talk about royal tour! Their travels included a stay at Balmoral Castle - which we all know became a favourite!
The London Packet newspaper was busy discussing plans for new churches! That's fascinating, isn't it? Just imagine a brand new church being built. A very Victorian endeavour, if you ask me.
Now, my dears, it’s time to go and twirl our way through life with a touch of magic. You've just heard the stories from history! Be sure to follow me at www.pink-tutu.com, and share your love of tutus, the ballet and history! And remember to subscribe to my blog for weekly updates on all things tutu, fashion and time-travelling. Until next week, may your lives be filled with twirls and laughter!
Lots of love,
Emma
Your Pink Tutu-loving time traveler
