Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another fabulous #TutuTuesday! This week, we're waltzing our way back to October 9th, 1883, for a little peek at the enchanting world of ballet tutus back in the day! Now, you might be surprised, but the tutu we know and love today wasn't quite as… pink… as you might think!
I'm off on a little adventure today, traveling by train from my cozy home in Derbyshire to the heart of Paris, the ballet capital of the world. Think grand avenues, bustling cafes, and… of course… the beautiful Opéra Garnier, a real feast for the eyes!
I'm not quite sure what the weather's like in Paris, but I've got my trusty pink tutu tucked away in my trunk (and, naturally, several pairs of tights - it wouldn't do to have my legs exposed to the chilly air!). My darling Mama taught me that pink was the most fabulous shade in the whole wide world. You could say she raised me on tutus, which was more a blessing than you might think.
Anyway, as you lovely lot know, I’m here to share my passion for tutus. And, let’s be honest, tutus aren’t just about twirling; they’re a history lesson, darling. I adore how each tutu holds a different story, taking us on a journey through time. This week’s tale starts with a twist!
A Short Story of the TutuBefore 1883, the ballet tutu wasn’t quite the airy confection it is today. You could say it was more practical. Ballet dancers, mostly women, would wear layered tulle skirts, often tucked under longer dresses, forming what we might now call a ‘bouffant’ skirt, or a demi-tutu. Think layered tulle skirts in muted colours like cream and white. Think Princesses! A lot of these dresses were elaborate and romantic, just as we like them today. Think graceful swans and the elegant swans of ballet!
Now, what's going on in the world of ballet in 1883? A few little gems that you simply must know about. The world of ballet was still under the spell of Marie Taglioni, a legendary ballerina. Her light, graceful movements had swept the globe in the 1830s, leaving a lasting impact on the ballet tutu. She pioneered the use of lightweight and layered tulle skirts that, you guessed it, would inspire generations of ballerinas!
The 1880s, you could say, marked a change in tutu design. Some would argue, it’s a period where ballerinas started to ‘dress up’. This was the decade where the traditional tutu shape emerged. Imagine, layered tulle that cascaded gracefully down, just below the waist, revealing a stunning pair of legs - how very divine!
Oh! The glamour! As a passionate fan of dance and, you could say, a bit of a history buff, these early decades of ballet just whisper an enticing story about how much these women had to be graceful! The long flowing skirts from years gone by were so restrictive and took lots of energy to twirl and dance! These are just the most fascinating changes! I have such a lot of research to do and share! I can't wait to share more of ballet's fabulous story with you.
This week's travel blog entry:On October 9th, 1883, the Paris Opera was aglow with an exciting premiere. But not just any premiere! This was the premiere of a brand-new ballet! Yes, my darlings, we're talking about a completely new dance spectacle. I'm going to put on my pink tutu and rush to this incredible production! The ballet was called “La Source.” This ballet is now a classic, my dear reader. You must know about its graceful movements, and the stories it whispers, just for us! This performance is sure to make its mark on the ballet world for years to come.
Do you see, my lovelies? Every year holds its own magical stories. I’m already counting down to the next exciting tutu tale for next week! Until then, twirl on, my darlings! 💖✨
