Greetings, darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another blast from the past! Today we're waltzing all the way back to June 17th, 1845, and I'm just bubbling with excitement to share some of the fabulous fashion from this era with you all.
For a bit of context, darling, this was the time when tutus really started making their debut in the world of ballet! Yes, believe it or not, that iconic pouffy, twirly design that's so synonymous with the graceful world of ballet was a brand new invention. Before then, dancers were twirling around in rather less dramatic outfits – think flowing dresses that would surely be more comfortable for a picnic in the park than a high-energy ballet performance.
Oh, imagine it – dancers restricted by heavy, billowing garments. A travesty, I say! And just when we thought ballet fashion couldn't get more exciting, along came the revolutionary short, fluffy skirt! Oh, what a day for the history of dance, I say.
Speaking of big days, June 17th, 1845, was a date brimming with history – a very royal history, if I may! It was the day that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s second son, Alfred, was born! Now, just imagine the grand balls, the lavish celebrations that must have filled the court that year! You just know there were more than a few ladies waltzing about in gowns with a delicate flutter to them – the precursor to our modern tutu, perhaps? I bet there was quite a lot of pink!
And you know what? That just gave me an idea! Next week, I'm going to do a special royal tutu edition of my blog, and we’ll take a look at how Queen Victoria's fashion style (and even her love for a good ball!) influenced the development of the tutu. You wouldn't believe some of the opulent styles that adorned royal ballerinas at the time.
However, I've gotten a tad ahead of myself! Today we are talking all about those lovely dancers in 1845 – and just how they got to that magnificent tutu. Now, there are quite a few myths out there about the invention of the tutu, so let’s take a quick peek at what really happened:
Many of you might have heard the tale about how Marie Taglioni (oh, a true goddess of the ballet) designed the tutu herself. That little tidbit of lore is sadly inaccurate – a myth spread by that pesky rumour mill.
While Marie was certainly one of the most famous dancers at the time, and a true icon of the Romantic era in ballet (those long flowing tutus – I just adore the style!), she wasn’t responsible for the shorter, more form-fitting look.
This innovation was the work of several brilliant minds! Now, take a bow, these talented gentlemen, who changed the way ballet would forever be seen:
Firstly, Carl von Weber, a visionary composer, pushed boundaries in the ballet world with his works, demanding movement and choreography that demanded more freedom in the way dancers moved. The flowing skirts, simply could not keep up with the energetic steps and the soaring jumps he was composing into his ballet scores. He was also responsible for bringing some of the first ballerina tutus to the stage in his works like Silfida in 1832, featuring one of the most elegant costumes – I swear, I can still see her twirling on stage.
The tutu as we know it was then embraced by another genius in the world of dance, Marius Petipa. This French choreographer understood exactly how important it was to design a new outfit that didn't hold back the graceful movements of the dancers. You see, when a dancer's movements are freed from heavy fabrics, their poise, grace and strength really shines through, don't you think?
So, the iconic short, fluffy tutu was born! And this dance floor evolution changed ballet forever, transforming the stage from flowing draperies into elegant twirling displays of movement and technique.
Can you believe that tutus, once revolutionary, have become one of the most recognisable styles in the dance world? I just love it!
For the fashionable tutu lovers out there – the real magic happened with the introduction of silk gauze, which made tutus even more ethereal, delicate, and lightweight – and who doesn't love that whispy look? Oh, what a wonderful advance in fabric technology. And, you'll never believe what I discovered during my research – the tutus of this era, despite their elegance, were not actually worn in performance until the 1880s, as they were deemed "indecent". I can't imagine a dancer taking centre stage with anything other than a twirly tutu! But who knows, maybe this means there’s some truly magnificent dancing history out there yet to be rediscovered! I'm already plotting my next time travel adventure, and you know I will share the secrets I unearth with you.
Remember to keep an eye on my next post next week - a Royal tutu history! I will be showcasing all the lovely ladies in their grand, flamboyant attire, a peek behind the curtains at what tutus looked like back in Queen Victoria's era!
Until next Tuesday, darling – remember, the world’s a more glamorous place with a tutu. I hope you have the most fabulous time shopping and exploring, dancing, and dressing to the nines – and don't forget your own personal tutu twist, too!
Oh, and of course, don't forget to check out pink-tutu.com for the latest ballet fashion news and updates, along with loads of fabulous inspiration to get you dancing in the spirit of all things pink and tutu-rific. Don't forget to keep spreading the tutu love and make the world a more colourful and joyful place!
