Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, back with another peek into the wondrous history of our beloved ballet tutu! It's a gorgeous December morning here in London, crisp air, bright sunshine - just the perfect weather to skip down to the theatre, wouldn't you agree? As always, my pink tutu is adding a little extra flair to my outfit, and my heart is soaring with excitement for all the wonderful ballet shows on the horizon!
Today we're going back in time, all the way to December 9th, 1851, which is rather significant, you see. That day, dear readers, marked the grand opening of The Great Exhibition! Now, what has this got to do with ballet, you ask? Well, hold onto your tutus, darlings, because this event is a real turning point in the history of fashion, and we know how much we love that here at Pink Tutu!
The Great Exhibition was a spectacle, a celebration of all things amazing and beautiful from across the globe! Imagine a massive glass and iron building in Hyde Park, teeming with incredible inventions and masterpieces from all corners of the world! It was truly the event of the season, a melting pot of innovation and creativity, and it definitely left its mark on ballet, and especially our beloved tutus!
You see, my lovelies, at the time, ballet was experiencing quite a change! It wasn't just the grand ballets with elaborate plots and costumes. Something new was happening – a movement towards what we know as classical ballet. And with that came a shift in style! The old, long, full skirts, which were so cumbersome, were slowly giving way to the beginnings of what we now know and love – the tutu!
Think Marie Taglioni, that elegant dancer known for her lightness and ethereal movement. She's often considered a pioneer in the transition to the more streamlined tutu, even though at that time they were just evolving. She still wore long skirts, but with more fluidity, they would have flowed beautifully around her legs, giving the illusion of bare legs. Now wouldn't that be a sight! Imagine the excitement for the audience seeing those beautiful lines!
But The Great Exhibition brought new inspiration to this fashion revolution! Think of all the incredible textiles on show, all those vibrant colors, exotic materials, new ways to cut and drape fabrics. Imagine a tutu crafted from shimmering silk, designed in a vibrant shade of emerald, or a dazzling, floral patterned silk gathered in soft layers, dancing beautifully under the stage lights! I just can't get over the beauty of it all!
And the impact on fashion in general was undeniable! This time period is seen as a key transition away from the strict corseted, constricting clothing and into something more free-flowing and graceful! The Victorian era, after all, was one of big fashion innovation – with crinolines and elaborate styles. Even queen Victoria herself attended The Great Exhibition and was said to be enchanted by its beauty! Her influence is significant when it comes to women's fashion, so can you imagine the ripple effect that exhibition would have on future fashion trends?
This period, however, still felt the impact of Victorian decorum. While those gorgeous silk dresses flowed, showing off the feminine silhouette, the demure Victorian lady still favored covered limbs! Even though dancers were starting to wear lighter skirts, full-length panniers were still common! Can you imagine, my lovelies, how they must have felt in all that material? I imagine it was terribly difficult to move!
But thankfully, our tutus were making progress. In a sense, they embodied a kind of rebellion against that constricting fashion. A symbol of movement and freedom, with delicate layers of tulle dancing around those strong, flexible legs.
Oh, the romance of it all, my lovelies! We really have the Great Exhibition to thank for pushing fashion forward! And think about the ballet at this time! What an exhilarating spectacle! To be there to see that elegant style blossoming into a more dynamic and graceful form of dance must have been absolutely magical! Imagine the impact of all those new techniques and exciting dances – it must have been mesmerizing! Just seeing all the beautiful fabrics displayed and hearing the orchestra's sweeping melodies… it truly sounds like a dream, wouldn't you say?
Well, my darlings, until next time! Keep twirling and dreaming about our tutus, and maybe this week, while you're wearing your favourite pink tutu, you can channel that little bit of Victorian magic!
Keep dancing and don't forget to subscribe for our weekly dose of #TutuTuesday. Until then, remember, a world where everyone wears a pink tutu is a brighter and more beautiful place!
Lots of love and happy dancing!
Emma xxx www.pink-tutu.com
