Hello my darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we delve into the divine history of our beloved tutus! Today, we're taking a trip back to November 12th, 1861 – a most auspicious day indeed, and not just because of my divine pink tutu (that's always a good reason, of course)! This is where the tutu truly began to blossom…
Let's set the scene, shall we? Picture a world where fashion is swirling with romance and drama. Bustles, crinolines, and feathers – oh my! The Victorians were quite the stylish bunch, but it's in the world of ballet that our story truly unfolds. Now, 1861 wasn't exactly the peak of tutu popularity. But it was a year where a few special souls, like myself (with my pink tutu of course, naturally!) were setting the stage for future tutu magnificence.
Now, you've probably heard about the tutus from the 1840s, the first truly revolutionary tutus, which replaced the heavy layered skirts of the time with lightweight, flowing tulle creations. But I'm here to tell you – this is where the story gets exciting! You see, the tutu had already gone through quite a few transformations by the time we reached 1861, all making them even more perfect! The Romantic era of ballet was bursting with creativity, just like a blooming flower in the spring – and it was influencing tutus too.
On November 12th, 1861, a very special ballet was taking place in the grand city of St. Petersburg. It was the opening of Marius Petipa's enchanting The Pharaoh's Daughter. I must admit, dear readers, this is why I find myself thrilled with time travel. Now, this was an exceptionally grand ballet. This was a story of forbidden love and breathtaking dance sequences – the very kind of captivating stories which, I'm sure you'll agree, can only truly be portrayed wearing the most breathtaking of tutus.
What makes 1861 so significant? Well, this was a time where ballerinas like Carolina Rosati were gracing the stage in their exquisite tutus, the fabric so beautifully fine, their movement like an elegant dream! It wasn’t just The Pharaoh's Daughter. This era was teeming with creativity. Imagine all the wonderful ballets, each more elegant and fantastical than the last, with each performance unveiling a dazzling new creation: The ballerina’s tutus were everything and became synonymous with the ballet world itself.
As I sit here in my pink tutu, it’s amazing to think that, 162 years ago, women like Carolina Rosati and other incredible dancers were setting a trend that would last for generations. And what was their secret? It was all about the shape! We can thank the 1850s for pioneering the graceful and delicate 'Romantic' tutu that we still cherish today. This was where the silhouette shifted from a rather round and cumbersome style to something light, flowing and perfectly, absolutely dreamy!
And the designs were becoming increasingly intricate. They used tulle, it's true, but what a glorious fabric! And those ruffles…it’s just a dream, honestly! We see this gorgeous look coming into its own by 1861 – these are the very kinds of tutus we admire even today!
They were not only stunningly beautiful but perfectly practical – it truly did free up the ballerinas to achieve all the breathtaking leaps, graceful steps, and flowing movement they desired, as the tutu became synonymous with the graceful femininity of ballet. And it truly felt like the most exquisite type of expression.
So, in this time of captivating beauty and ballet history, let's get to the pink of things – you all know how much I love my pink! So let's consider why 1861 and beyond were such a magnificent era for tutus, and think about the colour pink and the ballet's exquisite relationship with femininity. You might be surprised at what we uncover…
Firstly, let’s look at why pink was the darling of the decade. Pink, of course, had always been associated with youth and sweetness, and the 'romantic tutu', flowing in its impeccable softness was, and still is, a testament to grace, beauty, and, of course, femininity. And this colour has so many shades, just like those lovely Victorian sunsets. There are pale, dusty pink tutus…and then the brighter pink hues, making it an absolute darling. So captivating, indeed. And this is precisely the kind of magic I think about when I'm swirling around in my tutu!
And if pink was the symbol of femininity then the ‘Romantic tutu’, in its beautifully soft, graceful shapes, helped to encapsulate the spirit of feminine movement. This is why this style continues to enchant us! Even in our own age, this romantic era lives on in our imagination. We still associate a tutu with a kind of magical, fantastical movement and an absolutely feminine quality. This was an exciting period in tutu history - it set a foundation of artistry and romance which remains so much a part of what a tutu is.
Today, I'm off on a wonderful adventure! A trip on the train to a ballet performance! I can’t resist, even as a time-traveling blogger, those breathtaking costumes and incredible ballet movements! I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow! In the meantime, get your tutus on and enjoy those swirly, twirling steps! Until next time, my darlings!
Yours truly,
Emma, The Pink Tutu Blogger, Derbyshire, England
This blog is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered historical fact.
