Welcome back, lovelies! 💋 It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here! And guess what? It’s #TutuTuesday, which means it's time for another dip into the enchanting history of the ballet tutu. This week, we’re travelling all the way back to March 9th, 1847! 🚂💨
Now, I’m going to level with you, lovelies, March 9th, 1847 wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking day for the ballet tutu. It wasn't the first time one was worn, nor the last. But believe me, it's important. Why? Because 1847 is the year that our beloved tutu really starts taking shape - both literally and metaphorically.
So, buckle up your (hopefully pink) shoes and get ready for a little bit of historical ballet magic! 💫
Let’s take a look at what was happening in the world of ballet in 1847. It was a time of great change. In London, the Royal Opera House was gearing up to unveil Giselle, a truly groundbreaking ballet, full of romanticism and dramatic storytelling. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Giselle?" - you’ve seen this one before, right? And while it might seem familiar now, let me assure you that back in 1847, it was revolutionary. It changed the way ballet was presented, incorporating stunning technical feats with truly emotive storytelling.
Now, what's the link between this historic ballet and tutus? 🤔 Well, while tutus weren't brand new in 1847, Giselle actually helped shape the very idea of a classical tutu. Can you imagine a Giselle wearing the extravagant, full-skirted "tutus" from centuries before?
No, darling! Giselle needed a different kind of tutu - something lightweight, flowing, and delicate, perfect for those intricate and passionate movements that made it so groundbreaking. It’s important to note, dear readers, that there wasn’t just one type of tutu in the mid-19th century - there was a great variety. But the kind of tutu worn by Giselle in 1847 really set the stage for the kind of tutu that is used most in classical ballet today, which is what makes it so important!
Fancy footwork, I know, but trust me when I say this period in ballet history was a big deal! You can imagine, after witnessing this ballet masterpiece, ballet enthusiasts everywhere began demanding tutus of their own! 🌸🩰
Back to the world in 1847. Imagine it! There's not an Amazon Prime in sight, no Etsy or vintage clothing shops around to shop your perfect pink tulle tutu. But believe me, the passion for tutus and beautiful clothes existed in those times too!
Let me paint a picture: Imagine me, waltzing down the boulevards of London in a dazzling pink tutu, stopping for tea and pastries, discussing the latest ballet performances, and, of course, adoring the incredible craftsmanship of the latest fashion designs, both on the streets and on stage. Now imagine a bright, lively boutique bustling with fabrics, silks, and ribbons! The shop owner is carefully showing customers new fabrics - delicate tulle, beautiful ribbons, maybe even the beginnings of a special fabric like silk that will be woven together to create that iconic tutu shape!
This is where we were in 1847 - at the start of a passionate affair between the ballet world and the magic of a perfectly crafted, breathtaking tutu! It was a time of experimentation, of finding just the right shade of pink for the ultimate romantic performance, or of working out how to stitch the tulle perfectly so the dancer could fly effortlessly on stage. 🌸💖
Okay, I have to take a moment to indulge my inner-historian. I was in Paris for the 19th-century Paris Fashion Exhibition – my travels sometimes take me to fascinating places, as you know - and the fashion was quite different! Can you imagine bustles and elaborate skirts? But even back then, there was this shared love of the dramatic and beautiful, just like us Tutu Lovers! We have so much to admire about the incredible styles of fashion throughout history, don’t we? 💖 I even caught a glimpse of an earlier style of the “tutu”, called a “fichu” back then, it was so adorable with its wide, puffy skirt - just a sneak peek of how the tutu shape began to develop! I swear, I almost got caught by time-police taking photos in that period fashion museum. The museum guard nearly had a fit, but it's all in the name of tutu history, darling!
Of course, I love the way we're enjoying tutus today. Just picture it: We have incredible access to beautiful styles from every era and style, and everyone can create their own amazing “tutu-moment” - from the iconic ballerina, to the street performer, to that first trip to a ballet class! We can even pick from vibrant, neon-colored tulle in thousands of colours! We’re so lucky, darling!💖
So, the next time you put on your favourite pink tutu, or even just admire a dancer wearing a stunning tutu in a ballet performance,* think of Giselle in 1847. Think of the beautiful fabric, the creativity of those seamstresses, the dancers who brought it to life on stage,* and remember – this journey all started way back then, and it still continues to inspire us all today!**
As always, darling, keep those tutu dreams twirling! 💫💋
P.S. Stay tuned next week for another edition of #TutuTuesday as we continue exploring this exciting history, travelling all the way to 1848 - **what secrets are in store for the ballet tutu next?! Let me know your thoughts on the blog in the comments below - what do you love about the tutu and where are your favorite places to buy or make your own? 💖💖
Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
