Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, darling! This is Emma, your personal pink-tutu-wearing guide through the fascinating world of ballet history.
Today, August 8th, 1865, marks a particularly important day for our beloved tutus! Just think, it was exactly 158 years ago that...well, to be honest, the story of tutus in 1865 is a little bit of a blur, darlings! Let's rewind a bit to make things a bit clearer, shall we?
Back in 1865, we weren't exactly knee-deep in fluffy, pink tutus just yet. It was more of a "layered skirt and ribbons" era, and even those were evolving! We're talking about those gorgeous, swishy, billowing gowns they wore back then, designed for flowing movements rather than tight-fitting spins and jumps.
Remember those wonderful romantic ballets? The stories of ethereal princesses and swashbuckling heroes? Those ballets were full of delicate fluttering fabrics and swirling patterns. The idea was to create a visual spectacle, not to emphasize the athleticism of the dancer (although let's be honest, the girls of the time were seriously athletic!)
Now, 1865 was an exciting time, with big changes brewing! Remember when I told you about my time travelling to the world's first production of "La Sylphide" in 1832? Well, it's these romantic ballets, set in a mystical, ethereal world, which helped bring tutus into the world as we know them! Those "layers and ribbons" slowly transformed into those dreamy, short skirts we love, all for the sake of easier movements and stunning visual impact.
So, while we're celebrating tutus as we know them in 2023, 1865 was a crucial year for their journey to becoming what they are today. Imagine if those dancers back then, graceful in their long, flowing gowns, knew how much those early attempts to achieve freedom of movement would ultimately shape ballet history? It's truly amazing, don't you think?
Just think, darling: every spin, every leap, every graceful arabesque that those ballet dancers performed was helping shape our future! And the rest, as they say, is tutu history!
Here's a quick timeline of how we got here, for those who want a bit more detail, because, let's be honest, I love detail! (But honestly, a bit more is never enough!):
1832: The Romantic Period Begins - A tutu revolution!
- "La Sylphide," by Danish choreographer August Bournonville, bursts onto the scene and everything changes.
- It's all about that ethereal lightness!
- Short tutus with a layered effect and delicate ribbon decorations started to emerge, replacing the heavy layers. Think, fluffy layers of gauze and ribbons to allow for a new lightness and freedom of movement. It was still the "fluffy skirt" look, not quite a tutu as we know it yet, but getting there!
1841: Maria Taglioni, "The Queen of the Air", changes the game with her incredible choreography and grace. The world falls in love with her style! Her ability to literally leap through the air with those billowing, lightweight tutus inspired new designs!
1845: It’s all about that “Romantic Era” aesthetic, but even the tutus are becoming more practical! They still billow but are now a bit more tailored and shaped, to show off the dancer's movements.
1865: The tutu evolves, becoming more streamlined. Designers start using lighter, stronger materials, allowing for more intricate movement.
1870s and 1880s: A little bit of an "elegant tutu revolution", as you might call it! A classic ballet dancer silhouette begins to develop with tutus starting to shorten! We are seeing the introduction of those gorgeous waistcoats and layered fabric! 1885 brought about what some consider a groundbreaking innovation, a tutu which helped elevate dancers on their pointe shoes. It gave them a sense of buoyancy. Imagine it, darlings!
Here's what is happening in London, where we find ourselves on this sunny August day!
The famous Royal Opera House (aka Covent Garden, a legendary place!) is abuzz with exciting ballet productions. Imagine: ballerinas, elegant in their evolving tutus, performing graceful dances under sparkling chandeliers, as the air thrummed with the excitement of a live audience. It's a scene straight out of a fairytale!
Right now, I'm standing here with a lovely Victorian gentleman in his bowler hat who's offering me some advice about London's best hat shops!
The best thing about 1865? A visit to London means enjoying horse-drawn carriages and gaslights! Who needs a car when you can have a delightful carriage ride through London, gazing at those twinkling gaslights, isn't it delightful? It’s a bit more romantic than rushing through a traffic jam!
And talking about romanticism, darling: how much do we adore "Swan Lake", which debuted in 1877. Those tutus, particularly in the white swan variations, simply scream elegant! Imagine graceful swans dancing and swooping on pointe in their delicate, airy white costumes!
So much of how ballet shapes itself was right in front of us. I have so much more to show you all. Keep reading, darlings, because next week's post will take you back to an iconic tutu from 1905. It's a bit of a "what the heck" story and a must-see!
*And remember, don’t be shy about wearing a pink tutu in 2023, darlings! * (It’s a timeless style).
**As for me, I’m off to see "The Sleeping Beauty" at Covent Garden today. Let’s hope I get a sneak peek of that lovely "pink" dress scene! It's all about the tutus today!
Happy Tutu-ing, and be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com again next Tuesday!
Emma xx
