#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1850-01-15

Hello, my lovely Tutu-ites! It's Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-traveling ballerina, back with another historical fashion foray for your #TutuTuesday delight. Today, we're setting our sights back in time, to a date brimming with elegance and romance, January 15th, 1850.

As you all know, a tutu isn't just a piece of clothing, it's an expression! It whispers of graceful leaps and swirling pirouettes, of the enduring beauty of ballet, and of course, the boundless joy of twirling. And my mission? To get the whole world wearing pink tutus! (Except perhaps when on the Tube, that could get tricky, but hey, that’s what tights are for!)

So, back to 1850! Now, let’s hop on a glorious Victorian-era train and journey to the heart of Europe. Imagine yourselves arriving in a bustling Parisian street, carriage lights glinting, horse-drawn cabs clip-clopping. Paris, in its gilded age, is the heart of ballet. This is where tutus, as we know them, first came into being.

Now, on January 15th, 1850… Well, this date is quite unremarkable for ballet history. But! We can use this date as a launchpad to explore the amazing ballet scene back then. I just love how ballet intertwined with Parisian life! Imagine going to a cafe, having a pastry and perhaps a glass of wine, and being serenaded by a ballerina singing a delicate French opera while she elegantly twirls in a charming pink tutu! Wouldn’t that be a delightful way to spend an evening?

This period, 1850 and the years around it, is a crucial time in ballet history. We see the first “tutu,” as we know it today. Marie Taglioni, the ballerina of the day, a true fashion icon, wanted to give the stage something more lightweight and ethereal, something that showed the beauty of her movement.

Can you imagine her, shimmering on the stage? She wasn’t just wearing a costume; she was wearing an artistic statement, a masterpiece of lightness, a beautiful, elegant piece of art woven into a garment that perfectly showcased her movements.

This led to the rise of the romantic ballerina. Instead of long, elaborate skirts, Marie championed the use of a shortened skirt, often adorned with layers of tulle, making it floaty, light and airy, letting the dancer move freely.

Oh, wouldn't it be dreamy to travel back and watch Taglioni herself dance? The sheer spectacle of it all must have been extraordinary! Think of those long, cascading tulle skirts - like clouds of grace - the delicate details, the elegant gestures… I must confess, I’ve got a little bit of stage envy at the moment, thinking about the wonder and beauty of this early ballet scene!

But enough of me dreaming about history! This little “what’s happening” post has just given us a glimpse into the world of ballet around 1850!

Now, the real magic of this historical tutu time warp is… Well, the amazing variety and colours! From elegant cream-colored and ivory, to a lovely sky-blue or vibrant emerald, each colour adds a unique charm to the ballerina. However, I know what you're thinking, just like me. What about pink?

Don't worry, my Tutu-ites, our cherished shade of pink is on its way! We will get to a point in ballet history where pink reigns supreme and every single tutu lover can find their ideal shade of pink, whether it be ballet slipper pink, or a striking bubble gum pink, or even that stunning electric pink! (Maybe we can even find an ethereal unicorn pink in the future? Squee!!)

Until then, I will continue on my mission, exploring history, and encouraging every last one of you to don a tutu and twirl your way into the sunshine. Remember, a tutu isn't just a piece of clothing - it’s an adventure, it’s a state of mind, and most importantly, it’s a celebration of all things pink, glamorous and fun!

Until next time, darling readers, keep twirling and stay pink!

Emma, The Time-Traveling Ballerina

P.S.: Want to know more about ballet history and vintage costumes? Check out your local library or a fashion museum, you never know what wonderful things you’ll find! You can also explore vintage ballet costumes online. Remember, fashion is a wonderful journey, and vintage tutus have their own stories to tell! Just like ours.

And remember, you can always check back on our website, www.pink-tutu.com for all things pink tutu. We’ve got so much exciting stuff planned. This year, I’m heading back to 1832, when the tutu was first used as a design choice in a stage show. I am excited to learn more about it and then to share it with all of you.

Happy twirling!

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