Hello, my darling tutu-loving lovelies! It's your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina, Emma, here, ready to take you on another whirl through the wondrous world of ballet history. This week, we're hopping aboard the time-travel express and whisking ourselves back to January 12th, 1847! Can you imagine? 176 years ago! So strap yourselves in, darlings, and prepare to be transported…
I absolutely adore a bit of historical context. It just adds so much flavour to our passion for ballet! You see, just like today, the 1840s was a period of significant change in ballet, particularly for its costumes. Think about it - it wasn't all tutus and tiaras back then! They wore… well, I don't want to put a dampener on your day, but the dresses back then could be quite, erm, cumbersome! Long, heavy skirts and lots of frills, oh my! And let's not forget the corsets! Can you imagine trying to twirl in all that?!
Now, of course, 1847 isn't the exact date of the tutu as we know it today. Those iconic short, bouncy skirts didn't appear until a few years later. But it's fascinating to see how the fashion trends of the time, including the beginnings of shorter, lighter clothing for ballerinas, were already starting to take shape.
I imagine this particular day, the 12th of January 1847, would have been abuzz with activity, wouldn't it? Perhaps a new Parisian boutique would have been showing off their latest designs, all lace and silk and, well, a little bit more frill than we might see today! The fashionable folk of Paris, those who love the elegant swirls of a ballerina, would have been flocking to see it, taking in all the Parisian finesse. Oh, the excitement!
Here's a little peek at what the day may have held for our ballet-loving friends:
A Premiere: In the realm of dance, it wouldn't be surprising to find a new ballet opening in Paris or Milan, a hotbed of innovation. Who knows, maybe a new choreography was making its debut, introducing a little more "float" into the choreography, even if the costumes were still clinging to those full skirts.
The Rise of the "Fille Terpsichore" A term, darling, you might need to write down - “Fille Terpsichore,” a romantic ballet character, became increasingly popular around this time. Imagine her - graceful, ethereal, with a dash of melancholia. Quite enchanting, don't you think?
Ballet in the Theatres: The ballet houses in Paris and Milan were buzzing with life, attracting audiences with the grace and drama of their performances. Just think - they would have been sitting on those plush red velvet seats, admiring the skill of the dancers, each movement and turn captivating them.
Oh, and imagine the dresses the ladies in the audience were wearing! Imagine layers upon layers of tulle, shimmering silks, and maybe even the beginning of some delicately placed ruffles and pleats. Just picture it! A wave of romantic and elegant style.
Of course, there was a lot more to life in 1847, than ballet - but isn’t it exciting to see that the passion for ballet and for these exquisite movements had already blossomed?
As a ballerina in Derbyshire, it makes my heart swell to know that people all across Europe and beyond are enthralled by ballet! Oh, if I had a time machine of my own...
Well, darlings, I hope you've enjoyed this little trip to 1847. As always, I love sharing the wonders of ballet history with you all! Until next Tuesday, remember, stay fabulous, stay bold and most importantly, stay tutu-ful!
Your fellow dancer and forever fashionista,
Emma x
P.S. Remember to follow @pink-tutu on Instagram for even more tutu-tastic inspiration!
