Hello my darling tutu lovers!
Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. I hope this post finds you in tip-top twirling shape! Today marks the magnificent milestone of post number 2687, a true testament to our love for all things tutu. This week, let's whisk ourselves away on a time travelling escapade to 26th June, 1883 - a date ripe with historical elegance and a smidgen of tutued glamour.
Now, you might think tutus in the 1880s? A bit too early for the modern ballerina, wouldn't you say? But hold on tight to your top knot, darlings, for the history of the tutu, like a graceful pirouette, is full of fascinating twists and turns!
The Dance Of The Tutu's Birth:
Let's rewind our imaginary clock back to the early 19th century, a time when ballet, just like the exquisite fashion of the era, was on the cusp of a grand evolution. The classical tutu, as we know and adore it today, hadn't yet blossomed into its full, frothy glory. The dancers back then twirled about in floor-length, romantic, almost duster-like costumes, quite the opposite of the dramatic billowing fabric we've come to expect.
Enter the "Crinolined Tutu":
However, this was all about to change. Just imagine a grand stage lit by flickering candlelight. The scent of roses hangs heavy in the air. As the music swells, the elegant ballerina in her long skirt gestures to the fabric. Cue the transformation! Suddenly, the heavy fabric billows and rises around her in a magical puff! You guessed it, that was the invention of the "crinolined tutu," the grandmama of the modern ballerina's outfit, and this my friends, is precisely what started to revolutionise ballet fashion around 1830.
*From The Floor to the First-Tier Box: *
Imagine a world before the ballet shoe, dear ones! Back in 1883, ballet shoes, oh those heavenly little treasures of soft leather and satin ribbon, weren't as we know them today. The ballet dancers of the day were much more encased than graceful! Their shoes, the slippers as they were known, were rigid, often quite heavy, and most definitely not ideal for effortless leaps and twirls. In fact, many even had a small block heel which probably meant the beautiful "pointe" technique, that graceful walking on tiptoes, would have felt a bit like wearing a stiff, oversized, uncomfortable boot.
However, this didn't hinder the artistic impact! They twirled and pirouetted on these clunky shoes, using them as the perfect platform for executing moves we find quite breathtaking in the present-day. Just like a beautiful pearl adorns a perfectly crafted piece of jewelry, a well-designed slipper, as clunky as it may have been, helped complete the picture.
Where Are We Going Today?
Well, darlings, since it's #TutuTuesday, we simply have to whisk ourselves off to the ballet, of course! Today, 26th June, 1883, would have been a magical time to be in Vienna. The beautiful Vienna State Opera House, renowned for its incredible acoustics and majestic neoclassical design, is absolutely brimming with musical and dance entertainment!
Now, in this bustling time of grand carriages and fancy parasols, don't expect to be grabbing a program in your elegant opera gloves as you take your seat in the plush auditorium. No need for spoilers back then! Just bask in the elegance of the beautifully dressed, well-behaved audience and be mesmerized by the beauty of ballet on stage.
*Back to 2023 (And The Pink Tutu Love Affair) *
We can’t exactly hop back in time to grab an afternoon tea with those stunning ladies of the dance and indulge in a conversation about all the lovely tutu trends! But it's so nice to reminisce about the history of our ballet inspiration and how those stunning dames set the stage for all of the amazing ballet tutus that grace the stage today!
As you go out into your own day today, dare to be adventurous, let your imagination take you on a magical ballet journey to the past, and embrace your inner dancer! Who knows, perhaps your love for the ballet could inspire the creation of a brand-new dance-inspired creation or two! I just know a beautiful, twirlingly lovely pink tutu can only be the beginning of something magnificent.
Don’t forget to post your tutu pics and use the #pink-tutu hashtag on social media, so we can all be tutu-connected and make this beautiful passion a collective celebration of life and beauty!
And, darlings, never, ever underestimate the power of a well-placed pink tutu. It can work wonders on a boring day, trust me.
See you next Tuesday for our next exciting installment of Ballet Tutu History. Until then, may your life be full of sparkle and joy!
*Much love, *
Emma, your friendly pink tutu-loving blogger
