Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com and another fabulous Tuesday dedicated to the glorious history of tutus! Today we're taking a magical trip back to March 28th, 1871, and guess what? This date is going to blow your little ballet socks off!
You know me, I always love a bit of travel, and honestly, the train journey here was pure delight! It felt so good to be surrounded by the energy and excitement of London's bustling streets, even if I'm still a little confused about how the cabs are supposed to manage without the GPS technology I'm so used to!
Now, London's a hub for all things fashion, wouldn't you agree? And guess what I discovered while on my whirlwind shopping spree earlier this afternoon? I've found the most stunning new tutus! You're probably thinking Emma, we know you love your tutus, and you'd be right! But hold on, lovelies, these tutus are different. These beauties have more than just the panniers that lift the skirt out and around, these fantastic frocks have a built in circular steel frame! Imagine how much movement that gives you, it's absolute magic. Imagine pirouettes that just fly.
These modern marvels were a result of Madame* Carlotta Grisi , a celebrated Italian ballerina, taking her talents to the world's stage. She felt so strongly about this new style that she even made an official ballet debut at Covent Garden back in 1841! And do you know what? This new style took off! London audiences went mad for this new innovation, they loved how it lifted her skirts, made her jumps seem lighter and her turns so effortless, it was the epitome of grace and elegance.
I mean, who doesn't love a bit of elegance and drama on stage, especially when it comes to a tutu? The sheer beauty of this dance, itās truly captivating, isnāt it? Thereās a story for you, the beauty and artistry are just bursting to life and thatās something so beautiful.
But here's the twist. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that on March 28th 1871, something absolutely revolutionary happened in the world of tutus. Well, itās more of a story about the length. This new length took off like wildfire across the globe. Yes, it wasnāt longer - it was shorter! Thatās right! They finally realized that less could be so much more. This innovative style, named the *āRomantic Tutuā, is like an angelās whisper, soft, light, and airy! Just what you need when dancing and it's beautiful too!
And who could forget the impact this change had on the stage! A ballet show is always a spectacle and this change really enhanced that feeling of light-hearted and airy ballet, the dancers really looked and moved like mythical creatures. So letās take a trip back to the worldās first ballerina, Madame *ThĆ©rĆØse* de Sully, a pioneering spirit who changed ballet for good! *Think what would happen to tutus if we weren't adventurous? This revolutionary style, inspired by Greek mythology and its ethereal goddesses, was groundbreaking! It changed the world of dance as we know it.
So here we are, back in 1871, and you know me, I'm a bit of a history buff so I couldn't resist popping over to see a show at the Covent Garden. *What a treat! This stunning performance of *āGiselleā, was absolutely captivating, even for a pink tutu wearing time traveler like myself! But this show was quite unlike any I'd seen. It had all these elaborate, almost mythical, sets and costumes! The sheer opulence was absolutely jaw-dropping.
Imagine seeing it live in a beautifully detailed historical theater with stunning Victorian architecture. It felt like the theatre was a piece of history in itself.
It was this enchanting stage show that really took my breath away, and do you know what? Iāve discovered that Covent Garden itself has quite a past, dating back to 1732. It has been the heart of London theater since Queen Anne (fancy!), and the history is rich with many fascinating and colourful tales!
One last fun fact before I head back to my own time - this amazing performance of āGiselleā also starred one of the most famous ballerina's of the era Madeline Bonheur (which translates as "happy joy" and if you asked me, she looks delighted by ballet!). Now, she may be a legend but don't let that fool you, the stories surrounding Bonheur arenāt always so rosy. For example, you probably wonāt believe this, but apparently she only earned two thirds of her fellow male performers pay (and letās not even mention those who weren't allowed to perform)! It is not all perfect! This does highlight something crucial; as we step back into history, letās take the opportunity to celebrate the women whoāve come before us. Those incredible, trailblazing spirits who paved the way for us. Women who have strived to take centre stage in the world of art, whether that's dancing, performing, painting, or writing. We have much to thank them for!
Now, before I jump back through time, let me remind you - I love sharing this passion with you. Why not try wearing your own pink tutu this week? It's all about finding the joy in expressing yourself! Whether you're performing in front of an audience or simply pirouetteing around your living room, embracing the freedom and joy of movement, tutus can add a little sparkle and whimsy to your life!
Happy dancing lovelies! Catch me next week for more ballet tutu history adventures!
With a flourish, Emma xx
P.S. * Have you been to any inspiring theatre productions recently? Share your favourite experiences in the comments! * #TutuTuesday
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