Post #1425
Greetings, my darling dears! Emma here, your trusty pink-tutu-clad time traveler, ready to whisk you back in time once again for our weekly dose of ballet tutu history. Today, we're travelling to April 19th, 1859. Put on your fanciest petticoats, darling, we're about to step back into a world of corseted waists and extravagant gowns.
Now, if you're thinking that ballet in 1859 was all about billowing tulle and gravity-defying leaps, well, darling, you'd be rather mistaken! This was a time when ballerinas were still firmly planted on the ground, more focused on graceful poses and controlled movements rather than the soaring heights of today. The tutu as we know it was still in its infancy, evolving slowly from the rather stiff, calf-length skirts worn in the previous century.
This is why, my dears, my current time-traveling wardrobe has been temporarily swapped out for a rather modest, albeit elegantly designed, calf-length skirt. Still pink, of course, because a girl can never have too much pink! This allows me to blend in without being accused of dressing "outlandishly" by the fashionable ladies of this era.
On this very day, my darling, the world was in a rather theatrical flurry! London, the beating heart of fashion and theatre, was buzzing with news of the new opera season, set to open at the grand Royal Opera House. And you know what else? There was a delightful, if somewhat scandalous, ballet taking centre stage!
"Le Lac des Cygnes", or Swan Lake as it is more popularly known, had its first performance on the 20th of February earlier that year! And my, what a whirlwind of grace, beauty and elegance it was! The graceful leaps and flowing movements were something truly innovative, challenging the previously held expectations of the classical ballerina. Can you imagine the whispers in the stalls and the delighted gasps as those delicate ballerinas effortlessly flitted across the stage? Absolutely fascinating!
I imagine that many of those audience members, particularly the women, were likely wearing similar outfits to what I am sporting myself - tightly laced corsets with layers of billowing skirts, complete with a little embellishment for extra drama. Perhaps even some hints of that vibrant shade of pink!
One can't help but wonder what the esteemed critics of the time thought about this new "style" of ballet. Were they initially daunted by the unconventional moves or enamoured by the beautiful imagery and story? The reviews at the time are somewhat ambiguous, a testament to the ever-evolving taste and understanding of art.
Speaking of evolution, one can't help but think of the iconic tutus, those majestic puffs of tulle, swirling in a whirlwind of movement, as being the quintessential ballet attire. Yet, they haven't always been quite so "pink-tutu-rific". In 1859, it was all about modesty! No exposed legs or daringly short skirts here. The "tutus" were made of soft, flowing fabric and extended to just below the knee. Think graceful layers and feminine elegance rather than dramatic volume.
Still, it's exciting to see how even in 1859, the foundation was being laid for the magnificent, tutus-laden spectacle we adore today. It was a time of burgeoning change and bold new steps for the world of ballet, as thrilling and exhilarating as a grand pirouette.
This delightful journey back to 1859, makes me appreciate how much our tutus have evolved, but most of all, how much I appreciate our tutus! It's hard to imagine the world of ballet without these magical pieces of fabric, the very embodiment of grace and beauty! I must admit, my dear, I'm slightly tempted to whip up a quick trip to the nearest fashion house to get a taste of those calf-length "tutus"! But for now, I'll stay firmly in the confines of my present-day pink perfection, with a touch of historical wonder.
Oh! Don't forget, darling, if you're enjoying these #TutuTuesday trips, spread the love! Share your own pink-tutu-inspired stories, tag #PinkTutu, and let's create a worldwide web of tutu-loving brilliance! And, of course, don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to join in the tutudness every Tuesday!
Until next time, darling, and remember, every day is a perfect opportunity to wear pink and let your inner ballerina shine!
