Post #2607
Oh my darlings, gather 'round for a dose of Tutu Tuesday history, straight from yours truly, your Pink Tutu Princess! Today we're travelling back to 1881, a time when ballet was a blooming flower in the opulent garden of Victorian theatre, and the tutu was just beginning its glorious ascent to fame!
Now, before I take you on a trip back in time, allow me to say, my darlings, you all look absolutely divine in your tutus! I adore seeing the sheer variety of tutus, from the softest ballet pink to the most vibrant colours, you're all my inspiration. Keep shining your tutu light, darlings!
But back to the past! Today, dear readers, we're waltzing back to the 13th of December 1881, a date etched in theatre history. My dear time travelling machine, the lovely ‘En Pointe Express', just whizzed me to Vienna, and I tell you what, it's a veritable haven for a ballerina!
Think towering buildings adorned with elaborate flourishes, cobbled streets where horses clip clop through the winter chill, and the sweet scent of freshly baked strudel floating from bakeries. It's a beautiful contrast to the modern concrete jungle!
The Vienna Opera House, oh my! Imagine this grand, ornate structure. Gold accents sparkle like the twinkle of a thousand stars. And the stage itself, it breathes with the passion of talented performers! They move with grace and agility, their tutus swirling like clouds, just begging for a moment of awe. I can see why Vienna became the 'ballet capital' of Europe - such talent, such passion!
But darling, before you picture the ethereal white tutus of modern ballet, imagine these ladies sporting soft pastel shades, elegant lengths, and romantic swirls - the true hallmark of the romantic ballet style of the day.
I am, of course, speaking about the tutu that was beginning to change its form, moving away from the restrictive panniers worn earlier. You see, before 1881, a ballet dancer’s outfit wasn't as graceful as the tutu you see on stage today! Imagine this - skirts, with tiers and tiers of frills, made of thick, heavy fabrics. Picture petticoats with whalebone boning holding up these enormous, uncomfortable garments. No wonder, ballerinas in these earlier styles, they needed the help of male dancers to rise from a bow. No thanks!
But with this date of December 13th, 1881, * a momentous event happened that truly brought in the *new wave of ballerinas and helped shape the ballerina you see on stage today. A ballet titled "Sylvia", a glorious romantic ballet masterpiece, premiered here in Vienna!
Sylvia's first performance showcased an ensemble of light and airy ballerinas. Gone were the cumbersome costumes, replaced by flowing fabrics and simple lines, offering far more movement freedom, grace, and ease. This sparked a whole new movement in the world of dance!
Imagine seeing those graceful, billowing skirts – imagine yourself in one, darling. It would feel so light and liberating, wouldn't it? From this point on, dancers were free to leap, pirouette, and dance with the passion of their soul, showing their beauty in motion, without those clunky clothes. I say, a truly fabulous evolution!
I popped into one of Vienna’s elegant shops the other day, and I spied a darling hat with a single, delicate pink feather. Oh my! Such feminine beauty! Imagine these feather plumes adorning a graceful ballerina in her elegant, flowing, soft pink tutu – absolute perfection, don’t you think?
As you can see, my dears, fashion and dance go hand in hand, weaving their magic in the world, inspiring so much beauty and elegance!
Now, darling readers, go forth and dance, in whatever beautiful pink tutu makes your heart sing! Don’t forget to capture your twirling moments, and share them with the world using #TutuTuesday! See you all next week!
XOXO, Emma
P.S. And for you lovers of beautiful clothing, the first fashion designer to make tutus commercially, and one of the most influential in 19th century fashion, Charles Frederick Worth, presented his newest designs to a rapt audience, right here in Vienna! This date of 13 December 1881 is also when fashion designers really began to make their mark, ushering in the new style, and introducing to the world the wonderful, elegant tutu of today! Isn’t it thrilling to know you’re part of this wonderful evolution in both fashion and ballet!
P.P.S Don't forget to come by next Tuesday for a glimpse of how tutus were used on stage in 1882 for another round of Tutu Tuesday, and who knows, maybe we can even travel on the "En Pointe Express" together.
