Welcome back to my lovely little corner of the internet, dear readers! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, Emma, back again for another whirlwind journey through the history of our beloved ballet tutus! It’s #TutuTuesday, so let's travel through time! Buckle your straps and hop aboard the pinkest train carriage you can imagine – we’re heading back to August 11th, 1846!
This is blog post #763 on www.pink-tutu.com, and as always, I'm here to share my love for tutus and fashion with you all. The past is full of secrets and wonders – I promise you, I've stumbled upon some absolute gems! Today, we'll be venturing into a time when the ballet world was abuzz with excitement! You know I've got the best inside scoops, and I wouldn’t leave you hanging – 1846 was an exceptional year for ballet history!
Let's get comfy, pour ourselves a cup of tea (I prefer mine with pink sugar!), and dive right in.
A World of Tutus in 18461846! We’re in the heart of the Romantic Era of ballet – a time for breathtakingly graceful ballets, impossibly beautiful sets and costumes, and, you guessed it – the very essence of elegance.
You might think of the tutus as you know them today – those beautiful, floaty tutus made of tulle, but back then, they weren't the fluffy, dreamy, layered clouds of pink you see me twirling in.
Instead, these tutus, worn by the most accomplished dancers of their time, were constructed from several layers of fine, white fabric. Imagine billowing silk and taffeta that gently swayed with every delicate step. This meant dancers needed strength and control to make the tutus dance alongside them! I just imagine myself dancing in one of these historical tutus – I'd be taking my pirouettes with extra care to not be caught up in the silk!
Now, what’s our big fashion event for this date? You ready for this, my dear readers? You won’t believe it! This is what sets this date apart for ballet history – a ballet with the most amazing name:
La Fille mal gardée, or The Unruly Daughter! It’s actually considered the first comic ballet ever written – no more grand dramas or mythological figures! The characters in this one? Simple villagers! Can you imagine how fresh and exciting this must have been for the audiences at the time? They even had real live sheep as part of the choreography! This ballet truly embraced real-life, relatable stories – a delightful departure from the norm! Can you imagine that? The whole theatre full of woolly sheep for this show! This ballet was such a hit, it's been performed and reimagined for over 180 years! Can you believe it?
This also leads us to our next topic – you can't mention The Unruly Daughter without discussing Marie Taglioni, one of the most prominent dancers of her era! A captivating woman known for her artistry, elegance, and the gracefulness of her performances, Taglioni revolutionised ballet with the airy and ethereal movement she brought to the stage. Her name and legacy are intertwined with the development of ballet, and many consider her as a pioneer in establishing the use of the tutu in a ballet! Isn't it lovely to be connected with someone like that?
To be honest, I have to say my very favourite tutu story comes from an account of the 1800s - we can't forget those gorgeous white costumes – that truly represents the true beginning of ballet history for me. We don’t see that so much today, we are always chasing something brighter, bolder – but the graceful dance of white fabrics, like floating feathers... well, I’d like to find a time to dress like this, don’t you think? Imagine me, swishing across the stage – you know it would be absolutely incredible.
And of course, let's not forget, those classic white tutus have become the basis for all the tutus we see in ballet today! If it weren’t for those graceful silhouettes, where would we be? It was an absolute game changer, it gave ballerinas freedom to fly across the stage! No longer were they restricted to floor-length, bulky, cumbersome garments.
Just imagine! Ballet went from bulky outfits – I mean, imagine dressing like that – imagine the effort to turn in that kind of dress – it was very different – those skirts would weigh you down so quickly! You just can't compete with a white or a pink tutu - for graceful movement! You wouldn't believe how many hours I've spent browsing through vintage ballet costume designs - I just love to think of myself as a character in one of the stories from long ago, a dancer bringing a character to life – they just make me dream of those historical ballerinas, with their elaborate coiffures, perfect stances, and beautiful tutus.
You'll find so much incredible historical research about the era, too – there’s a whole treasure trove waiting to be discovered – that’s the true joy of being a ballerina in time travel!
What is truly wonderful about this period is that it brought in new, exciting aspects of creativity. It helped pave the way for even more dynamic movement and the ability to showcase dancers' talent and abilities in their full glory. Think of what ballet would be today without those pioneering dancers who bravely explored the possibilities and possibilities for ballet - it would be totally different – I wouldn’t have so many tutus to wear today.
From Past to Present - Tutu Tuesday, Anyone?So here’s my #TutuTuesday request, dear readers. You know my style – think pinks, rainbows, and a little dash of whimsy! Now I’m curious, what would your 1846 inspired tutu look like? Maybe some exquisite white silk or tulle, combined with just a whisper of color? Maybe a touch of embroidery with a flourish of pink around the neckline? Do you see what I'm picturing here? Think graceful elegance! Think effortless sophistication! Think about a modern tutu that celebrates history while creating something new and bold! It's time to embrace that beautiful synergy between past and present and create your own little touch of ballet history in your wardrobe!
For this week, try pairing a traditional ballerina dress with a touch of delicate lace. Imagine how adorable that would look on your favorite ballerina outfit! Now go have a little fun with the idea and don't forget to share your gorgeous tutus with the world – remember my social media page! It's www.pink-tutu.com for photos and comments! You can find all of my favorite tutus, and, oh! My recent ballet outfit inspirations on the page.
What did you think about today's #TutuTuesday blog post? Tell me about it in the comments below!Now go forth and embrace the power of a beautiful tutu, and may all your pirouettes be picture-perfect! Remember, every single day can be a Tutu Tuesday – embrace that magic! And don't forget, wearing pink is always the right choice! See you next Tuesday!
