Hello, darling dears! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another blast from the past! Today we're whisking ourselves back to January 17th, 1871, for a peek at the world of tutus, or rather, what came before the tutu we know and adore today!
A World Without Tutues? Scandalous!
You might think I'm mad, but before 1871, ballerinas weren't twirling in fluffy tutus at all. Imagine, if you will, a stage filled with flowing skirts, elaborate dresses, and, dare I say, a whole lot of fabric. You see, back then, ballerinas weren't known for their athleticism and leaps. They were more about delicate gestures, graceful movements, and the grandeur of the full, heavy costumes.
Now, don't get me wrong, those dresses were beautiful, and some of the fabrics were divine, but imagine having to move in that! All the frills, lace, and velvet were definitely not made for dancing.
A Change on the Horizon
But, thank goodness for the year 1871! Why? Because that was the year a brilliant choreographer and dancer named Marius Petipa decided to shake things up in ballet history. Now, let me tell you, he wasn't the first to play with the shape and style of a ballerina's dress. Marie Taglioni, the first famous ballerina, actually experimented with shorter skirts in 1832 to make it easier to see her amazing legwork!
But it was Petipa's "La Bayadère" ballet that really launched the tutu onto the ballet stage, a tutu called the Romantic Tutu. This tutu had layers of silk and gauze and a much shorter length, perfect for showing off ballerina’s leg movements. It was elegant, light, and beautifully flowed on stage.
Now, 1871 wasn't all about the tutu. It was also a big year for ballet in general. A very special dancer named Anna Pavlova was born, destined to become a famous ballet superstar who captivated audiences with her grace. Talk about inspiration!
Travelling in Time & Finding My Tutu Inspiration
Last week, I actually found myself in London during the Victorian era! Oh, the sights were exquisite! I even discovered a dressmaker making dresses for the famous ballerina, Carlotta Grisi, the most celebrated dancer of the day. What a thrilling moment for this ballet enthusiast!
As I watched dancers practice, their elaborate costumes, still with so much fabric, felt almost comical to me. My modern eyes longed for a glimpse of the lighter, more playful tutus to come! Of course, being the fashion-forward ballerina that I am, I couldn't resist acquiring some delicate fabrics in lovely shades of pink to create my own mini-tutu!
Pink, the Colour of Perfection
The colours of this era were so dramatic. Rich, jewel tones in emerald greens, sapphire blues, and rubies were all the rage. Don't get me wrong, I adore these colours, but what I adore most in the world is the colour pink, especially when it comes to tutus! And trust me, once the tutu arrives in all its glory, the color pink will soon follow, becoming the must-have shade for the world's ballerinas!
This time travel journey reminds us that change is always in the air, especially when it comes to fashion! And let's face it, the tutu has come a long way, baby. And with every beautiful and light version that arrives, it will only grow in popularity!
I cannot wait for my next ballet show, even if I'm in Derbyshire, England!
Keep shining bright and always remember to dance like nobody is watching… or maybe just like everyone is!
Until next week, dear friends, and don't forget, there's a little bit of ballerina in us all!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #PinkTutu #TimeTravelingBallerina #Fashionista #London #VictorianEra
