Hello my darling dears! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm thrilled to be whisking you back in time for this week's #TutuTuesday. Today, we're waltzing our way back to November 28th, 1876!
Oh, the magic of time travel, don't you agree? Just hopping onto a steam engine train (always first class, darling) and voila! I'm back in Victorian England, surrounded by top hats, bustles, and... well, sadly, not quite as many tutus as I'd like. But, we're about to discover the seeds of tutu history, so buckle up, my lovelies, we're in for a fascinating journey.
(Disclaimer: All the pink tutus I'm wearing in my photos for this post are mine, from my own wardrobe. Sadly, Victorian ladies weren't so bold with colour! )
The Dance of Change: The Birth of the Tutu
This date, November 28th, 1876, doesn't hold any big tutus in history (pun intended!) But, let me tell you, a little over two decades prior, in 1858, Marie Taglioni had graced the world with a daring, revolutionary movement! And you know what, my dears? This daring, groundbreaking move... it was all about the tutu.
Now, "tutu" wasn't a term back then – it was actually the French slang for "tulle" or "net." It was simply a light and airy skirt worn by ballerinas – often in many layers, you know, to make those grand leaps and swirls a little easier, a little more spectacular. But, dearie me, those skirts weren't very glamorous, especially for their times. Imagine tight-laced corsets and fussy, full-length gowns... and then this wisp of fabric floating around. Quite the statement!
Marie Taglioni's "La Sylphide": It wasn't just the airy tulle. Marie was the queen of the Romantic Ballet, her iconic performance in "La Sylphide", in a billowing white tulle skirt, changed EVERYTHING. This was a daring departure, my dear friends. For the first time, women's dancing was seen as a graceful art form, their bodies were allowed to be seen... not simply covered. That little white tutu was a revolutionary garment; it was a statement about freedom, movement, and the celebration of beauty. It was the start of an era!
Now, by 1876, tutus were not as scandalous as they had once been! The length had crept down a little – more coverage than La Sylphide's daring ensemble, but still that elegant and light fabric allowed for so much movement and beauty, and oh my, they started incorporating different colors, darling! Even pastel pink... gasp! (Although, sadly not on that November 28th.)
The Magic of the Opera: Tutudom Takes Center Stage
Of course, by this time, the opera and theater houses of Paris and London were bustling, packed with stylish and discerning audiences. Ballerinas were revered as fashion icons (like we modern day ladies, darling!) and the grand stage was all the rage. Just picture it! Opulence, excitement, lights glittering upon shimmering fabric.
That is the power of the tutu, my darlings, it’s more than just a garment – it’s a statement. It embodies the art of movement, beauty, and freedom. Just seeing it twirling under the theatre lights sets my heart racing. And in the early days, like that November in 1876, there were only whispers of what the future held – tutus in bright colors, tutus with sparkly details, the whole magical world of tutus just beginning to bloom.
Where Can We See Our #TutuTuesday Inspiration Today?
The real beauty of this blog post is, I can travel through time with my dear friends. We can all go on an adventure to 1876 today and watch *a performance of “La Sylphide,” or, if we are feeling daring and dramatic, perhaps catch "Swan Lake." * It would be spectacular, don't you agree? *London and Paris are buzzing with theatre, dearie me, there's an opera or ballet to catch just about every day! * You know me, I would love to do a shopping spree, and perhaps even enjoy some delicious tea and gossip with other lovely, pink-loving women!
And my lovelies, here's a little reminder about today in history! November 28th, 1876: Well, a rather mundane event to be honest. Nothing too exciting, just the daily bustle and excitement of Victorian life. And who could blame the ladies for having no time for a ballet class with all those bustling balls and dinner parties going on. Still, it is our starting point for a grand and exciting journey through the history of our cherished ballet tutu.
Let’s Discuss:
My darlings, I’d love to know! What are your favourite moments in the history of the ballet tutu? Is there a specific tutu, a dancer, or a production that fills your heart with delight? Tell me all about it! Share your memories, dreams, and passion for the tutu, and I promise I'll share all my latest finds on the Pink Tutu Blog! And don't forget to join me on this exciting adventure every #TutuTuesday.
Until next time, keep on twirling!
XOXO
Emma 🩰 💕
www.pink-tutu.com
