#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1899-07-11

Hiya darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly. It's a glorious Tuesday, the sun's shining (well, at least it is here in Paris, even if my petticoats are feeling a little bit damp from all the Parisian rain) and, as you all know, that means it's time for another exciting journey into the history of ballet's most iconic garment: the tutu.

Today, my lovelies, we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to 11th July 1899. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Emma, 1899? Surely there weren't tutus then?" Oh, my sweet dears, you'd be so wrong! 1899 was a time when ballet was truly blossoming. In fact, this date was particularly momentous because the Comédie Française theatre in Paris was hosting a magnificent performance of La Fille Mal Gardée - "The Wayward Daughter" in good old British - which you can tell from the title is a real crowd-pleaser, even today!

Now, before we delve into the twirling brilliance of that production, let's chat a bit about the fashion scene back then. Remember those gorgeous crinolines, all layers of frilly petticoats, and those stunning gowns with big pouffy sleeves? Oh, I simply adore the Victorian era. Now imagine trying to dance in one of those, ladies. Impossible! Thankfully, the great choreographers of the time understood this too. That's why, to showcase the grace and agility of dancers, they embraced shorter skirts. They weren't exactly like the fluffy tutu we see today, mind you, but they were a precursor to our modern love affair with the twirl-worthy, the beautiful and the perfectly pink.

So, what about La Fille Mal Gardée then? Let me tell you, it was a sight to behold. A ballet about a spirited girl (who I’m sure I could’ve been best friends with!) who’s forbidden to marry the boy of her dreams and all sorts of chaotic fun! The dancers, bless their little hearts, would have been twirling around in long, soft, layered skirts, almost like mini versions of a tutu. This, I assure you, was a major stepping stone in the evolution of the tutu. Think of it, ladies, the birth of the fabulous!

One of the most amazing things about ballet, even in those days, was how quickly styles changed. I mean, if a dance trend hit Paris, London and even good ol' Derbyshire wouldn't be far behind! So, back then, we were seeing a whole evolution of dress lengths - imagine that, a revolution in skirt lengths! It must have been exciting to witness these changes firsthand. Now, of course, it was even more exciting to travel around seeing these productions as I do. That’s right darling, 1899 was all about romanticism in ballet. All swirling skirts, fluttering ribbons, and, oh yes, the very first hint of the iconic tutu.

And now for the pink, ladies, because what's a trip through time without a bit of rosy delight? Imagine those lovely ballerinas back in 1899, gliding across the stage in a soft, flowing, almost-tutu-like skirt. If they were even just the faintest shade of blush, that's close enough for me! Now, we all know what comes after blush. That's right! PINK! Just think how the audience must have been mesmerised by those pretty skirts, and think how those dancers must have felt free, and fabulous!

That's all from me today, lovelies. Next Tuesday, we'll be diving deeper into the origins of the tutu, exploring some of the earliest known examples and how the little, pink confection has become a symbol of grace, elegance and femininity that’s admired around the world! Until then, keep twirling, keep dreaming, and never be afraid to embrace the magic of the tutu. After all, in a pink tutu, anything is possible, don’t you agree?

See you next Tuesday, darlings, for another journey through tutu time!

Emma