Hello lovelies!
It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed, time-travelling blogger, and today's Tutu Tuesday is taking us on a grand adventure to the glittering world of 1843!
Now, if you're anything like me, you're probably already dreaming of that glorious, swirling tulle that makes up the iconic ballerina silhouette. And let's face it, who doesn't adore a good, twirling, pink-hued tutu?
But before we delve into the fascinating history of our beloved tutu, let me just say - travel by train is so much more glamorous in this era! I mean, velvet seating, gaslights flickering romantically... and imagine, my lovelies, not a single email notification dinging away during the journey. Pure bliss!
Back to our main attraction - the tutu!
1843 marks a rather interesting point in ballet history. It's a bit before the "golden age" of the tutu that we associate with the iconic ballerinas of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Back then, ballet was very much a royal spectacle, with a rather stricter and more courtly approach.
Let's imagine a stage, lit with flickering gas lamps, and a ballerina dressed in a rather extravagant, long white skirt with layers and layers of silk, the fabric carefully sculpted to allow for graceful movements. Think elegant, almost ethereal... and probably slightly warm!
Now, before you start yearning for the practicality of our modern-day tutus, picture this: imagine how romantic a performance would be with all that swirling, shimmering white fabric floating and gliding across the stage! It's almost as if the dance becomes part of the fabric, doesn't it?
But here's the thing... a crucial element that was starting to take shape during this time was a move towards lighter and more expressive movement.
Fast forward to November 28th, 1843, our date of exploration.
It was a chilly day in Paris, but the Opéra Garnier was bustling with excitement. I can practically hear the murmur of elegant chatter in French, a lovely melodic tongue that always feels so glamorous.
The day was particularly notable as the acclaimed ballet dancer Fanny Elssler took to the stage. Imagine, my lovelies, a tiny woman, bursting with energy and spirit, dancing with a level of fluidity and grace unlike anything seen before!
Fanny was a force to be reckoned with, paving the way for a change in ballet aesthetics. And it was this revolutionary spirit, this movement toward freedom and expressiveness, that ultimately birthed the tutu we all know and love!
But remember, even with a long skirt, even in those slightly more restrictive times, dancers like Fanny embodied that same grace and dynamism we cherish in ballerinas today.
And so, as I step back onto the train, leaving 1843 behind, I can't help but feel a wave of inspiration! Every time I see a beautiful, swirling pink tutu on a ballerina, I'm reminded that history isn't just about the past - it's about the spirit of movement and self-expression that continues to evolve.
Don't forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for another trip into the wonderful world of tutu history!
And please, darling readers, feel free to leave your thoughts below. What are your favourite things about tutu history? Have any pink-tutu adventures to share?
Let's make the world a pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-loving place!
Love always,
Emma x
