Hello my darling dears! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another fabulously fabulous instalment of my Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, we're pirouetting all the way back to June 20th, 1843. Oh, the excitement!
Now, you might think that tutus were all the rage back then, what with all the swirling skirts and dramatic leaps we associate with ballet, right? Well, not quite! It's a bit like that fabulous vintage shop down the street, full of stunning dresses that would be perfect for the theatre, but nothing you could just waltz out in. This date actually marks a pivotal point in tutu history! Let me explain...
The year is 1843. You’re most likely rocking a crinoline under your petticoats if you’re wanting to appear properly fashionable. The bigger the better, you see. Imagine walking into the Royal Opera House, all swished up, a vision of elegant movement and flowing fabric… it was quite the spectacle. But for ballet? Well, they still hadn't quite figured out what exactly a ballerina needed to move freely. Imagine a ballgown on the stage… pretty but a little impractical. You wouldn’t be able to spin!
But oh, how I love to spin!
This is where the brilliant Marie Taglioni enters our story. You see, she was not only a phenomenal dancer (imagine her pirouettes in that crinoline!), but she was also an advocate for change. Not just in her ballet routines, mind you, but also in what she wore on stage. She decided it was time for something new, something that would let her movements shine even brighter. And in 1839, what did she do? Why, she invented the tutu! Now, not the full-on puffy, Romantic-era masterpiece, no, this was more of a precursor to our beloved form, just a simple, short, layered skirt. The perfect blend of lightness and drama.
Marie's vision caught the eye of her fellow dancers, and soon enough, those stiff crinolines were abandoned, leaving room for graceful leaps and dynamic movements. The ballet world went absolutely bonkers!
Now, it's a little while after 1839, remember, but this is what's going on in 1843. While those fluffy skirts didn't yet have a name like "tutu" – think "romantic" or "waisted" as descriptive names – these pieces of beautiful, flowing fabric are taking the world of ballet by storm! And guess what? You can find it on display right now in the beautiful Theatre and Museum collection in Covent Garden, where else, but in London!
Isn't that fascinating? The more I learn about tutu history, the more I understand why they are so captivating.
Think of how many incredible designs there are from different eras – just in the romantic period alone! It's almost like they've got their own distinct personalities. Oh, what wouldn’t I give to hop back in time, take some ballet classes, and shop at all the fab shops during that era! Just imagine, all the gorgeous materials! Imagine silk that actually comes in that bright pink I adore… It’s almost enough to make me break out my needle and thread!
As for June 20th, 1843, it wasn't just Marie Taglioni getting all the attention! Another exciting event happened. The first Royal Opera House ballet was performed under the directorship of a famous, fabulous woman called Pauline Duvernay. She was the toast of the London stage, loved by audiences all over the country! Just the other week, I was at the Royal Opera House, London myself, it’s just as beautiful now, if not even more stunning.
Sadly, there is a huge gaping gap in ballet records from 1842-1845. Oh, the suspense! So, unfortunately, I can't tell you what wonderful ballet performance Pauline was staging, but trust me, it was amazing. We just have to rely on our imaginations and assume the skirts were swooshy and the dancing fabulous!
For me, June 20th, 1843 is like a beautiful pink-hued tapestry that weaves the history of ballet with the birth of the tutu. Imagine the energy on that day! It wasn’t just about the dance, it was about the changing face of the art form, about taking a leap of faith (excuse the pun!).
As I head off on a train journey back to my own time, I can't help but think, what would Marie Taglioni have thought if she could see how much tutus have evolved? Just as she challenged convention with her radical vision back then, I strive to challenge people to embrace their inner ballerina. What could be better than swirling your skirt and stepping into a tutu, embracing the whimsical, the beautiful, the magical?
Until next Tuesday, darlings, I’m off to explore the wonders of the fashion world (it wouldn't be right for a pink-tutu loving girl to leave without some new frocks!). Remember, embrace your inner ballerina, and wear your tutus proudly.
Love, Emma xx
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #MarieTaglioni #PinkTutu #EmmaTheBallerina #TimeTravel #Fashion #RoyalOperaHouse #PaulineDuvernay #LetsDance
**[Emma’s bio with photos and social links]
P.S.: Don't forget to join our online pink tutu club on www.pink-tutu.com - it's a wonderful space to share your love for all things ballet and dance. And who knows, maybe we can inspire even more people to twirl around in their own pink tutus!**
