#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1872-08-27

Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you back in time with another instalment of our Tutu Tuesday adventure! Today, we're waltzing back to the glorious year 1872. Yes, imagine it – gaslight illuminating the streets, horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping past, and the whispers of a new century shimmering in the air. But let's not forget – tutus are always in fashion!

Now, this week’s #TutuTuesday takes us to a bustling Paris. Oh, the sights and sounds of the French capital! With its exquisite boulevards and opulent theatres, Paris was the heart of the ballet world at the time. And believe me, my dears, it wasn’t all just twirling and ribbons – there was a world of drama unfolding both on and off the stage.

The Parisian ballet, at that moment, was in the midst of a glorious renaissance. With the likes of the legendary Marie Taglioni and the beautiful Carlotta Grisi gracing the stages, the era was bursting with talented ballerinas. Their movements, so elegant, so graceful, became the talk of the town! I can almost hear the music, can’t you? And as much as we adore the elegance and the passion of the era, today’s #TutuTuesday isn’t just about dancing – we're diving into the fascinating history of the very foundation of our beloved tutu!

The story of the tutu goes all the way back to the 1830s, ladies. Picture it – the reign of the romantic era, a time of soaring passions and sweeping romance. Remember when skirts were all the rage – full, billowing gowns that swirled around the dancers like billowing clouds? Well, the revolutionary ballerina, Marie Taglioni, changed everything! Imagine a revolutionary dress, a shorter dress with the bottom edges formed by layers and layers of sheer tulle. This was it, my loves! The first tutu! The revolution wasn't just about fashion, it was about showing the dancer’s limbs and their amazing movements!

But the tutu, as we know it today, didn’t appear out of thin air, oh no. Imagine the meticulous crafting involved – layer upon layer of delicate tulle meticulously stitched together. Imagine the care with which every detail was handled, with the goal of allowing for unparalleled flexibility and fluidity! Now, ladies, that’s dedication!

Now, the ballet in 1872, even though there are beautiful designs from the 1830s to inspire it, had already gone through several transformations! Gone were the days of billowing, full length gowns, giving way to even shorter tutus. Think: just below the knee! Gasps! A scandalous amount of leg in those days! But it did accentuate every movement, every turn and leap in a new and spectacular fashion, allowing dancers to soar and spin with unparalleled grace and precision. This allowed the ballerinas of the day to show off the new moves and choreography in a new exciting fashion!

Paris wasn't just the heart of the ballet world in the 1870s, but also a centre of fashion! You’ve all heard of couture, darling! That was born here! Imagine streets buzzing with ladies in lavish gowns and delicate accessories. The fashion scene, a whirl of colourful fabrics, intricate hats, and exquisite jewellery. A little sprinkle of that * Parisian panache* was certainly infused in those ballet costumes, darling. After all, the tutu, a masterpiece of ingenious design, is, in itself, an element of fashion!

What does this all mean, you ask? It means, darlings, the tutus were starting to look * fabulous * – with a mix of practicality and the dazzling effect.

You bet, my darlings, you’re hearing me right – a pinch of pink in this period is completely possible. It is after all, a delightful, romantic hue. Imagine that lovely colour swishing about the stage, don’t you just * swoon*? Imagine it, a delicate pink tutu on a slender ballerina – a vision in graceful motion. Now * that’s * what I’m talking about!

How am I here in the 1870s, you might be asking? Well, this little Derbyshire lass has got a secret – I have access to a portal, which let me travel through time to witness history unfolding! Of course, as a travelling ballet aficionado, I’m obsessed with the shows – especially with this magnificent period in ballet! It’s so exciting!

Oh, it is pure magic to witness the delicate steps and expressive grace of a dancer clad in a glorious tutu – to see their passion come alive on stage! I have this crazy collection of antique tutus and beautiful dresses I’ve found over the years in my time-traveling exploits.

But, darlings, my travel, isn’t just about watching shows – I am also obsessed with the fashion. Imagine, a whirlwind of shops full of fascinating clothing, delightful milliners and captivating jewelers. And the fabrics – my oh my, the fabrics! I am utterly enchanted with the soft textures, rich hues, and intricate lace. It's an incredible period for finding lovely pink tulle – which I happily stockpile for my tutu creations!

Speaking of 1872, this specific day is a very important date - because * this was the day The Royal Academy of Dancing was born! * Oh, such an extraordinary milestone in ballet history. The very idea that an Academy devoted to this art form was founded – this is true history in the making, darlings! Imagine the amount of dedication that must have gone into the birth of the Academy. A fitting way to mark this important day is by looking back at the history of the iconic tutu, isn’t it?

Now my loves, it’s your time to be a Tutu Time Traveler! I challenge you to take a step back into the world of 1872, right there at the birthplace of the Royal Academy of Dancing. Let's see what happens in a Paris fashion boutique. Maybe try searching online or find an old theatre program. Imagine the stories the buildings in Paris have to tell! And of course, as we are talking about dance history, why not make your way to see a ballet performance? You’ll get swept away by the wonder of the dance, the passion of the art and get inspired to discover more about your own connection to ballet history! I, myself will be hitting up a vintage clothing shop to find some 1870s inspired creations – all the while I am already hunting for my next pink tulle discovery! It’s going to be fab !

That’s all from me for now, darling! Until next Tuesday! Don't forget to subscribe to the #pink-tutu.com website to be the first to read your weekly #TutuTuesday blog post.

And as always, may your tutus be as lovely as your dreams,

Love,

Emma

P.S. Don’t forget to wear your favourite pink tutu while you’re learning about 1872 and its exciting connection to the history of ballet, darlings! You might just discover a whole new era of tutus!