Oh, darlings! How are we all on this fine Tuesday morning? 🩰☀️ I'm Emma, your time-travelling tutu aficionado, and I'm back with another instalment of Ballet Tutu History! Now, fasten your tiaras, darlings, because we're taking a trip back to the 19th century – the era of crinoline, petticoats, and the very first stirrings of the tutus we know and love today!
So, pack your picnic basket and don your fanciest bonnet, because we're boarding the steam train and heading straight for London, the very heart of ballet at this time!
The year is 1844, a mere 20 years before the dazzling debut of the Sleeping Beauty ballet, and what a vibrant time it is! The city is alive with opera houses, elegant drawing rooms filled with lively conversation, and whispers of the newest dances sweeping Europe. But amidst the opulence and grandeur, the stage is where real magic happens!
Imagine: You’re settling into your plush theatre seat, velvet cushions gently cradling your silk dress, as the curtains rise on a ballet. Now, picture this… The ballerina twirling centre stage is wearing… a floor-length dress, its billowing skirt meticulously pleated and gathered, often adorned with intricate lace or embroidery. She may even be wearing a* tiara*, adding a touch of fairytale magic!
Now, don’t picture her whirling like a tempest in a tutu, my darlings. Not yet. The ballerina of 1844 still dances in flowing, dramatic garments – a style far removed from the graceful simplicity of our beloved tutus!
But this era is a pivotal point! We're starting to see the foundations of what will become the modern tutu. The movement towards* shorter, more functional skirts, designed to show the legs and showcase the grace and agility of the dancers, has just begun. *Imagine: a delicate, swirling, layered petticoat offering glimpses of ballet shoes underneath, perhaps adorned with shimmering silk ribbons. A spark of the airy lightness and freedom of the tutu we know so well, starting to glimmer in the darkness!
And it is in this fascinating period that we witness the arrival of the* *pointe shoe, darlings! Invented by Italian ballet master Carlo Blasis around 1820, the pointe shoe offered the first opportunity for ballerinas to stand en pointe, and brought an unprecedented **verticality and lightness to ballet performances! A turning point, my dears!
Now, the big question: how can I, a passionate pink-tutu advocate, possibly resist the pull of 19th century fashion? Fear not, darling! While tutus might not yet be gracing the London stages, the very essence of elegance, beauty, and flow are evident in the attire of this era. And, let me tell you, pink is definitely in vogue! I adore the vibrant pinks of the silk fabrics and the intricate beading on Victorian dresses - perfect inspiration for the modern ballet enthusiast who likes a touch of whimsy and flair in her own outfits!
Of course, as we venture further into the 20th century, tutus will make a grand, sparkling entrance, becoming synonymous with ballet, a symbol of ethereal beauty and breathtaking artistry. But, I can’t help but adore this time. It is a period of graceful evolution, of a subtle transition from the dramatic, long skirts to something altogether lighter and more expressive.
So, my lovely tutu-enthusiasts, let us applaud the dancers of the 19th century and their contributions to the beautiful art of ballet! Their commitment to expressing movement and emotions in their clothing, even if it was slightly different from what we are accustomed to today, played a vital part in shaping the graceful elegance of the ballerina. And just like these graceful performers, let's embrace the journey and be prepared to twirl and pirouette through fashion history, savouring the fascinating evolution of the ballet tutu!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my dears, keep dancing, keep twirling, and keep those tutus shining! Love,
Emma
P.S. I can't leave you without a fun fact: Did you know that the 30th of July, 1844, also marked a special anniversary in the history of the Metropolitan Police? They celebrated two years of keeping the streets safe in London, with a gala evening held in honor of the constabulary! A true testament to the progress happening in London that year.
I'll see you all next week for another #TutuTuesday adventure! Don't forget to follow @PinkTutu on all social media! Let's make the world a prettier place, one tutu at a time!
