#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1854-02-21

Welcome, dear lovelies, to post number 1156 of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! It's me, Emma, your resident tutu-loving time traveller and proud Derbyshire girl, ready to whisk you away on another exciting journey through the captivating history of ballet and, of course, the beloved tutu! 💖

This Tuesday, I'm zipping through the mists of time to land in a fabulous February day - the 21st, 1854, to be precise. Oh my, what a dazzling decade this was for ballet! It was the golden age of Romantic ballet - think ethereal ballerinas, flowing music, and those graceful leaps and turns that leave us mesmerised. And you know me - I love a good mesmerising show, especially if it includes a pretty pink tutu.

So, grab a cuppa and settle in - we're going to take a delightful dip into the world of fashion and ballet in the 1850s.

Before we leap into ballet itself, let's talk fashion! Think about the image of the ballet dancer in your head. That flowing silhouette? That lightness and airiness? It's all about capturing a graceful essence of movement. Well, back in 1854, that essence was just beginning to bloom.

Imagine this: our 1850s ballerinas, far from those tight-fitting, knee-length skirts worn by their predecessors, had just discovered a brand-new fashion statement. They were moving toward the glorious tutu - though perhaps not in the dramatic, billowing form we see today. They were sporting a shorter version, barely knee-length, and made with multiple layers of fine fabric, often white, to create that graceful, flowing look. Imagine shimmering tulle, cascading down like a delicate, whimsical waterfall!

This move away from the heavier, more restrictive skirt was like letting a bird out of a cage! It freed the dancers' movements and opened a whole new world of artistry. It made their dances flow, allowing their bodies to become the expression of the music itself.

Of course, our little 1850s tutu, still finding its feet, might not have had the grand romantic sweep we're used to today. But it was certainly a sign of things to come - a harbinger of the tulle extravaganzas we enjoy in every theatre and ballet studio around the world. And, for those of us who adore a tutu (myself included!), this shift in fashion was a little slice of sartorial heaven!

Now, back to our fabulous February 21st. What happened on this very day, in 1854, that made ballet history? Let's have a peek!

London's glittering Covent Garden, always a centre for theatrical excitement, played host to none other than Carlotta Grisi. Can you imagine being at a ballet, watching Grisi perform in her exquisite tutu, that symbol of elegance and grace, at this incredible time in ballet history? I can barely contain my excitement, darling!

This ballerina was famous for her breathtaking elegance and she was performing in "The Pas de Quatre", a legendary ballet featuring four leading dancers!

Picture it: The shimmering lights, the hush of the audience, and the electrifying dance moves performed under the watchful eyes of the discerning Parisian audience. The world held its breath as four ballerina stars took to the stage in their enchanting tutus, and the magic of the ballet truly unfolded.

Oh, it must have been breathtaking. It must have felt as though those shimmering tutus, each layer whispering of ethereal beauty, carried them as though on wings, and transported the whole theatre into a different world! The power of a great performance is, and always will be, an irresistible draw, don’t you agree?

Of course, all of us can't necessarily time travel to Paris or London, but we can experience the joy of ballet and its captivating tutus, wherever we are.

Did you know, dear readers, that these grand ballerinas and their performances inspire so much more than ballet, darling? Their elegance spills over into fashion and into art, painting the world with their glorious grace. And we, you and I, are inspired by this legacy to get into that perfect pink tutu and dance like nobody’s watching, aren't we? Just like the little ballerina we all had inside of us as a little girl, we get to explore our own graceful artistry and beauty. And who knows, maybe our world is ready for a ballet renaissance?

And you don't have to be at the Paris Opera or Covent Garden to find beautiful tutus and a place to express yourself! So, where can we find our very own ballet tutus to inspire the dancer in all of us? Well, you can find these lovely and glamorous creations for any age or stage, just a click away! From our beloved traditional to colourful, whimsical ones. There is something for everyone and every mood.

But beyond tutus, dear lovelies, ballet has a secret to share with the world: it's all about expression. It's about freedom of movement, graceful beauty, and a dedication to learning and perfecting a beautiful skill.

Whether you’re an experienced ballet enthusiast, or you just love to spin in a pretty tutu, this February, find that pink, or any colour tutu, for that matter, that resonates with you and give yourself permission to dance with confidence and joy, my loves. I can’t wait to see your dazzling photos.

See you next week for another exciting trip through #TutuTuesday! Remember to join the #TutuTuesday hashtag on all your social media to join our fabulous online community of dancers! Until next Tuesday!

Love, Emma 🩰💖