#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History: A Blast from the Past (Post #643)
Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! This week's journey through time takes us back to April 23rd, 1844, a date that might not be screaming "Tutu" at you just yet, but trust me, it's all about the magical, twirling evolution of our beloved dancewear!
Now, I know you're wondering, "What happened on April 23rd, 1844, Emma?" Well, imagine, my loves, a world without those gloriously billowing layers of tulle and satin! We'd all be stuck with bulky skirts and shudder pantaloons. It was a bleak time, gasp!
However, fear not, for this April 23rd, a glimmer of tutu-tude was beginning to shine through, courtesy of a groundbreaking dancer by the name of Marie Taglioni. You see, dear reader, Marie was known for her airy, light as a feather style of ballet, which completely redefined how dancers moved. And guess what? That beautiful lightness was achieved with something quite revolutionary: the tutu.
I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but tutus weren't commonplace back then. It was all about long, restrictive skirts that made dancing, well, not so graceful! Sniff, sniff Luckily for us, Marie embraced the lightness of movement that the shorter, tiered skirts offered. She actually commissioned one of her favourite designers, gasp, to create a revolutionary, innovative skirt which you would now call a tutu - what a visionary!
But let's rewind a little for a bit of historical context.
The origins of the tutu, believe it or not, actually go back further than 1844, all the way to Italy and France in the 15th century, when those wonderful Italian Renaissance artists were whipping up masterpieces. Think paintings, gorgeous fabrics, and dancing ladies who looked like they had just stepped out of a storybook! These "tutus" of old were essentially skirts with tiered layers, making those graceful movements, the kind we still admire today, possible.
However, imagine how awkward that all would have been in heavy fabric and far too many layers.
Marie's version, that special version that changed history, was something quite different! Think ethereal, think effortlessly graceful, think almost magical!
And, oh darling, the story doesn't end there. Just a few years after Marie Taglioni took the stage, ballet moved onto bigger stages in grander fashion, and a famous, elegant gentleman by the name of Charles-Louis Didelot created a new, innovative ballet dancewear that brought tutus into a more dramatic spotlight. Imagine a world where a single dancer was the central focal point, not just a part of an ensemble, with the focus on her body, on the lines of her graceful dance and, dare I say it, her legs, with that perfectly cut, shimmering fabric!
From those humble beginnings, dear readers, the tutu began its magnificent evolution. The design evolved, new materials were discovered and new dance styles demanded changes, making the tutu even more dramatic and exciting, until finally reaching the point of sheer *perfection we adore today!*
Today, as we stand on the threshold of 2024, I can’t imagine ballet without its beautiful, enchanting tutus. Oh, those tutus, the most perfect accessory to ballet, to a girl's sense of playfulness and style! And they are still changing, evolving to the demands of modern dance. Every little twist, turn and twirl brings new ideas about fabric, texture and how the skirt interacts with the dancer’s body, and that completely changes how we see this elegant attire. They’re more than just clothing - they’re a form of art in their own right!
And here is a little tip: if you're looking to wear a tutu for the first time or have it back in your wardrobe after a while - make sure to buy a good quality fabric, like silk or satin. A stiff fabric might restrict your movement, and can lead to ouch, ouch, ouch moments when those long movements end in a tumble!
And, darling, my most important tip - buy it in PINK!!
You know how much I love my Pink Tutu. It brings so much happiness into my life! Just think of the possibilities! *Oh, I know I've gone on and on this week but, remember darling, it's Tutu Tuesday, the most magical day of the week for fashionistas, especially those who are utterly devoted to tutus! *
I hope this week’s journey through the past has sparked your imagination, darlings! Stay tuned next Tuesday, my loves, for a new tale from the history of our fabulous pink friends - the ballet tutus - the world’s most beautiful, charming, and ever-changing clothing!
Until then,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. For those who love the train journey just as much as they love the Tutu, the first section of London to Birmingham railway, opened in 1838 and London to Manchester opened in 1842, bringing rail travel to a more exciting time for fashion, performance and leisure. Imagine getting all dolled up to go to see the ballet and a fashionable train carrying you and fellow fashionistas to a London theatre.
#PinkTutu #BalletTutuHistory #TutuTuesday
P.P.S - I know how important the right fit is for a tutu, but imagine this week no shops on April 23rd, 1844 and *a made-to-order tutu, oh la la! The lucky ballerina had a long wait but, in the end, got her perfect fit - she must have felt absolutely radiant ! **
P.P.P.S - It was so very very fun taking a trip back in time this week - and next week we have a spectacular Tutu event to announce! * If you'd love to *celebrate your Tutu loving heart in a fantastic fashion* then head back to Pink Tutu next week for **an incredible surprise to make sure you have a very special Tuesday !