Hello my dearest Tutu-loving friends! It's Emma, your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be back for another #TutuTuesday adventure! This week, we're stepping back in time to November 23rd, 1880. Buckle up your ballet slippers, grab your favourite pink feather boa, and let's go on a magical journey together! 💖
Post number 2552 on www.pink-tutu.com: A Blast from the Past
Now, 1880 – a time when gas lamps lit the streets and horses pulled carriages – sounds pretty far removed from our glittery, modern dance world, right? But, you'd be surprised at how much has remained constant. The very first official tutu, or rather, "tutu" as we know it, appeared just a little before 1880! So this week, we're taking a peek at what was happening on the stage back in those exciting, tutu-defining days!
The Birth of the Tutu
Picture it: a graceful, flowing ballet skirt, shimmering with sequins and beads. Can you imagine just the simple beauty and movement of that on stage? Well, back then, ballerinas were still sporting rather cumbersome skirts, even though they had already begun dancing "on pointe"! You can see the need for a change, right? A more elegant and airy garment that could show off their artistry was needed, and in 1870, that dream was born! It was Marie Taglioni, the first dancer to take to the stage "on pointe", who made this magical shift. She, and her costumer, had a genius idea. Instead of the long, heavy skirts of the day, they chopped it all off at the knee – just imagine it – leaving a swirling, shimmering, graceful "tutu" that is so recognisable today! Imagine being a ballerina at the time, a pioneer in how you move, with all those fancy flourishes, leaps and twirls on those toes, all on display, as you dance with absolute elegance in a shorter skirt!
Now, you see why we're celebrating November 23rd, 1880, because by this time, the “tutu” had well and truly established itself as the iconic garment for ballerinas, and on that date, The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London hosted one of the most famous, if slightly shocking at the time, performances with a ballerina wearing this very revolutionary skirt!
A Trip Through Time to See The Show!
My goodness, it's always a thrill stepping off the train at King's Cross, the bustle and energy of London, it’s truly magical, especially when the purpose is to take a ballet journey through time!
Now, as I whizz through the London of 1880 on this very important day, I imagine the buzz on the streets leading to the grand entrance of Drury Lane! There are hansom cabs everywhere, dashing ladies and gentlemen, and lots of colourful, fascinating dress styles! It must have been truly magnificent. The theatre looks so different, a truly gorgeous edifice and I have to say that the architecture, particularly that ornate facade of The Theatre Royal, makes me want to twirl with delight. This beautiful place – it has seen so many iconic ballerinas in those shimmering skirts over the years, and I can’t wait to slip inside myself!
The anticipation, I imagine, must have been thick in the air on November 23rd, as a beautiful young ballerina called Emma Livry, in her gorgeous white and silver “tutu” prepared to grace the stage! Imagine seeing her dance! I’m a little jealous that I missed out on seeing the beauty and elegance on stage on that evening – I imagine it was the biggest topic of discussion in the city afterwards!
Modernity and the Tutu
Just like fashion has its seasons, ballet costumes have also gone through countless changes, just like Emma Livry did, too! Today's ballet tutus are even more incredible with their beautiful textures, patterns, and the sheer talent of all the designers! But this journey proves just how much that revolutionary "tutu" from 1880 has impacted all the ballerinas that followed her, inspiring countless ballerinas to achieve great heights and express themselves beautifully on the stage!
I'm ready to go shopping for a gorgeous pink tutu myself, and what about you? What kind of tutu do you dream of twirling in? Let me know in the comments below! 💖 I hope to see you all again next Tuesday for another exciting adventure in #TutuTuesday!
