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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1844-10-29

Tutu Tuesday #670: A Whirl Through History! 🩰

Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident Tutu Time Traveller, ready to take you on another pink-tinted journey through the fascinating world of ballet! Today's date, October 29th, 1844, might not be instantly recognisable, but trust me, it's a very significant day in the tutu's timeline. But first, let's chat about something that is always close to my heart – a new pink dress I found last week at the most adorable boutique in Paris. Imagine, darling, the softest shade of blush pink, like a petal in the springtime. I paired it with a new ballet shoe that has delicate lace trim and – well, let's just say I absolutely pirouetted my way out of that store, and haven't looked back!

But enough about me, we're here to talk about tutus, aren't we? So let's take a trip back in time. It’s wonderful to be here, a touch of my favourite, pink, among the history of Parisian theatre and art. It's so fascinating to see how much the tutus have evolved over the years!

I’m in the city of love, Paris, where fashion is truly at its finest. Now, 1844, as you can imagine, is still very much influenced by the Romanticism era. The clothes are delicate, feminine, flowing with long, beautiful skirts. But the ballerina? Well, she's a vision of elegance in her own right! You won't see the voluminous tutus we have today, darling. Those wouldn’t appear for quite a few decades! The tutus in this time, though, were something else. They were sleek and lightweight, designed to accentuate the grace and fluidity of the dancers' movements. Think of it like this: if we’re discussing clothes – it’s the shift dress of tutus! This wasn’t yet about the fullness or the dramatic shape. The focus was on allowing the dancers to move freely and gracefully, emphasizing those graceful limbs and poses that make ballet so magical.

So, on this date back in 1844, what's going on? Let's set the scene, shall we? We're in Paris. This city is just abuzz with artistic and intellectual life. Fashion is taking centre stage, with innovative designs being dreamt up all over the place. It’s absolutely electric with creative energy and the beauty of a grand salon. And yes, the theatre is where we find our prima ballerinas - like the stars they are - showing off their graceful movements to appreciative audiences!

But this day, in particular, the big news is...a new ballet production, 'La Fille mal Gardée', or "The Unguarded Girl" for those not familiar with the French. It's the ultimate feel-good love story – just what I'd prescribe for any gloomy day! A playful piece with delightful steps and graceful pirouettes. Oh, to be dancing in such a charming story! The beauty of that production, darling, it was meant to captivate the audience, and I have a feeling, even back then, it truly stole their hearts!

This is all such an amazing experience. It is simply extraordinary to travel back in time like this, it is as though I’m stepping straight out of the storybooks, all with a splash of my favorite color pink. But let's get back to the subject at hand: the tutu!

It was a little less "en pointe" in the Victorian era – meaning, tutus hadn’t truly discovered the concept of that "up on our toes" movement, so dramatic today. It was more about the fluidity and grace. Think long, delicate skirts, made with tulle and satin. I'm talking exquisite, romantic creations that showcased every turn and bend of the ballerina.

Oh, imagine this, the thrill of seeing these ballets - the sets and the costumes! The elegance of the Victorian era in full bloom. Just a splash of tulle and silk, allowing those long limbs and a slender silhouette to take center stage.

To get an even better feel for this era, imagine some of the ballet greats of the time, such as Fanny Cerrito. Now she was an amazing talent, her name would be as legendary as our ballerina of today. Cerrito’s moves were famously celebrated for their lightness and effortless elegance. Just imagine it - the dance! Her style would make even the most talented dancers today, blush a little, in envy of that finesse and effortless elegance.

The beauty of the ballet tutu at this time, darling, is that it served to tell the story of the ballet itself. This was where every little detail mattered, each dance was so carefully composed - the grace and poise of every movement. Just imagine, darling, a world where every ballerina wasn't wearing the same pink tutu. That's a whole world of possibility! That is something I dream of. Perhaps, someday, my travels through time will encourage a future era of imaginative ballet dress designs, for everyone to adore!

But back to today’s date. 1844, the ballet world is bursting with possibilities, with a beautiful blend of grace and simplicity, where each move of a ballerina truly takes your breath away. You simply have to adore that delicate and refined nature. I can’t wait to keep travelling through the fascinating timeline of the ballet world. And I know I'll find more tutu wonders along the way.

Until next time darlings, and remember to keep spreading the pink! Always remember, with a touch of pink, and a sprinkle of ballet, anything is possible!

Your devoted Tutu Time Traveller,

Emma

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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1844-10-29