#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1878-08-13

Hello, my darling tutufarians! Welcome back to another whirlwind adventure through the wondrous world of ballet tutus, here on your favourite pink-tutu-clad blog. It’s Emma here, and today, we're going to take a trip in my trusty time machine to the heart of Europe, the year is 1878! Get those sparkly pointe shoes on, because we're about to twirl through history!

Ah, the year 1878, a time of waltzes and elaborate balls, when every fashionable lady would've dreamt of pirouetting with a dashing gentleman. Imagine swirling around the opulent ballroom, your tulle fluttering, a magnificent ballet tutu adding just that extra touch of grace and romance to the evening. Now, I know you're all eager for those historical fashion nuggets, so let's delve into the details!

Picture a charming Parisian café bustling with artists, writers, and, of course, fashionable dancers. This period, aptly known as the Belle Époque, was the era of grand ballrooms and elegant soirées. And right at the heart of this dazzling scene? The ballerina and her stunning ballet tutu.

Imagine the soft rustling of tulle, like a gentle whisper, and the captivating silhouette that the tutu creates. The styles were still quite extravagant then, with layers upon layers of frills and tulle, all impeccably crafted to showcase the dancer's movement and evoke a sense of effortless grace. The colors were soft, romantic hues: think ivory, pastel pinks, and the most delicious shades of blues and greens, perfect for creating an ethereal glow.

It’s during this period, my darlings, that the ballet tutu truly gained popularity and took its rightful place as the embodiment of feminine grace and artistry. Think Degas' famous paintings, capturing the ethereal elegance of the dancers, each perfectly adorned in a ballet tutu that was truly a masterpiece of its own!

While France and Russia were undeniably leading the way in ballet, London was alive with its own vibrant theatre scene. I must tell you, London in 1878 was a city filled with charming shops, brimming with luxurious textiles that you simply had to see for yourself! They used such intricate, hand-stitched details that today are beyond our wildest imagination! The quality was superb - silk so rich you could feel the quality in your fingers!

Think about those dazzling ballet productions in London. Imagine a glittering opera house, the plush velvet seats, and the hushed anticipation as the lights dimmed, then a symphony of lights and the rustling of tutus signalled the beginning of a spectacular ballet performance! Can you picture it, my dear tutufarians? I feel like I'm there right now, watching the dancers gracefully move to the music in their exquisite tutus, simply beautiful.

This week I travelled to St Petersburg on a special mission. Have you ever been? The sheer opulence! Oh, my goodness. This time, I wasn’t there to see the ballet - it was something rather special. There, hidden away in the city's archive is the incredible record of the most beautiful ballerinas of the era!

Just imagine! Every single detail: the costume designs, the colours used in the fabrics, the dance moves... even their shoe sizes - truly fascinating. If I was brave enough to wear those tight, pointy shoes, I would wear those amazing pointe shoes in a heartbeat. They didn't have so many modern designs back then - oh, I do so adore ballet shoes, there are so many to choose from now.

So my dear readers, this journey to 1878 has reminded me of how important the tutu is as an element of a dancer's wardrobe! Today, there's no end to the variety, you can have almost any color you can imagine, they've got it all. So next time you’re admiring a ballerina on stage, let's give a cheer for the incredible evolution of the ballet tutu.

And to finish, a quick tutu-licious update: Did you know that this week August 13th 1878 is also the birthday of the famous Swiss psychologist Carl Jung! Can you imagine a ballerina as a therapist, how much fun that would be, especially with all that movement in ballet!

Remember, tutufarians, the magic of ballet is all around us. And even though you may not be swirling through time like me (yet!), you can still embrace the elegance and joy of the tutu in your own way!

Keep on dancing, stay fabulous, and most importantly, keep it pink! Until next Tuesday!

Love,

Emma xx