#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1866-03-13

Hello dearies, Welcome to #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! This is post number 1785! I am your pink tutu-clad historian, Emma, from Derbyshire, England! Today, we are journeying back in time to 13th March 1866!

You’re probably wondering how I get to go back in time! Well, my love of ballet, its history, and its amazing tutus, is so strong it takes me back in time. Each week I travel back to a different date! But don't worry, I come back every Tuesday!

And speaking of Tuesdays, my lovely ballet friends, have you ever wondered where this iconic piece of ballet wear, the tutu, originated?

Well, gather ‘round! The year is 1866, and London, England, is buzzing with theatrical delights!

Let’s take a train ride back, to the heart of The Royal Opera House - known as Covent Garden. And guess what? Today, the world was treated to the very first performance of "La Fille Mal Gardée!"

It's such a popular ballet! In fact, everyone who’s anyone in London is at the opera house to see the show.

But what's most exciting about this day? You’re in for a treat! The world’s very first “tutu” made its grand entrance to the stage!

The idea for the tutu was revolutionary for its time, ladies and gents! It is not quite the “pink tutu” of today, you know? I have to wear a very particular kind of tutu that won’t alert anyone that I have travelled back in time, but, hey, it's about getting that chic silhouette! The tutu in 1866 was a creation for Marie Taglioni, a legend, ladies and gents, the most sought-after ballerina in all of Europe. A French dancer, oh la la!

What’s so innovative about this tutu, I hear you cry! Well, think about this: this was a period when women danced in long gowns! Marie, and the world, wanted movement! The “tutu,” was a “skirt” of tulle - very sheer material. This let the ladies dance, showing off all those delicate steps and beautiful formations. Imagine, it must have felt liberating for the ballerinas! It allowed such a lightness and freedom of movement, that it became the dress for ballet dancers right around the world!

Oh, and to really jazz up their performance, the very first tutu had a matching crown of flowers!

Think of the colours in 1866 - delicate shades of lavender, blue and cream - but I’d say they just couldn’t resist some bright colours! And can you imagine how it would look with a big pink tutu?!

And guess what, the Royal Ballet company have had performances of "La Fille Mal Gardée!" nearly every year ever since!

You can imagine the excited chatter in London after the show!

London was bursting with exciting news, the buzz, was about this brand new kind of ballet performance. They’re all talking about it: “A revolutionary moment! What next?”

This new "tutu" was the ultimate in sophistication! Every fashionista in Europe was trying to replicate this chic silhouette. I must say the shops are full of all types of lace and fabric with frills and ruffles! The style of the tutu is the height of elegance. There’s even a line of “tutu-esque” evening gowns at all the best dressmakers on Regent Street, London - and now every elegant socialite has to have a dress of this style for evening wear!

Oh, my friends, don't forget the ultimate goal is to get every man, woman and child in the world to wear a pink tutu. Even if we have to make our own!

This was such a special time to visit, I’m heading to the “tutu shop” on the Strand. It’s amazing to see the ballet wear! So many options from ballet slippers to ballet skirts!

As for me, I’m headed back to Derbyshire, to the theatre, as there’s a ballet show starting in a few hours and I’m sure I’m going to see a tutu on stage. The dancewear has to be very sophisticated at the Royal Opera House!

Now that we are in the 21st century, let’s consider our ballet origins - how far we've come. We’ve all seen tutus on stage and at school. So let's all get to wear a tutu and enjoy life! Don’t you think every single girl should get to wear a pink tutu? That would be the height of stylish bliss for us all!

Next week I’m off to 1912, I've heard all the best shops are full of frilly fashion so it should be great fun for the latest ballet dress designs! I love traveling to times past - but my pink tutu is very important to me, and so is my passion for this fabulous art form.

See you on TutuTuesday!

#PinkTutu Emma.