Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another exciting #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History blog post.
I'm so excited about this one, my darling readers, because today we're taking a journey! I’m travelling through time to April 29th, 1879. Fancy that!
This date marks the birth of an absolute darling, the wonderful actress Ada Rehan! Isn't that fabulous? Imagine a beautiful young lady, just starting her life. Just like any budding young ballerina, she’s taking her first steps on a very big stage.
This lovely day is very special because Ada Rehan’s career would go on to inspire generations of performers, making the theatrical world a much brighter place!
She became famous in comedy plays, appearing on stage alongside some incredible performers! Can you just imagine? And who knows, perhaps a tiny, sweet ballet tutu twirled its way across a stage while she was performing! I can almost feel the excitement.
Oh my, how I wish I could’ve been there to witness such a lovely day. I bet the audience was a sight to behold - the ladies in their very finest gowns, and the gentlemen all dapper in their tuxedos, making this historical date even more special!
Let's get back to that fascinating, enchanting tutu history! Did you know that in 1879, the world of ballet was just starting to really shine in London, with the very first Ballet Russes production of Giselle. Isn’t that fabulous? And wouldn't you know it, Giselle just happened to be one of the ballets I'd chosen for this week's performance in my time-travelling quest! I absolutely adore how delicate, airy, and pretty a tutu looks while dancing this enchanting ballet. Just divine!
Just like how ballet is an ever-evolving art, tutus have been adapting throughout history, too! In the Victorian era, everything was so lovely and romantic. Imagine that time: elegant skirts flowing around women as they walked, their bonnets tilted at just the right angle, all the men with their suits spot on for the occasion! Can’t you see them strolling down the streets to attend the opera or, dare I say, ballet!?
My trip took me through London, the capital of ballet, the heart of tutu fashion! I can still feel the thrill in the air. Just like me, everyone was buzzing about ballet. I must admit, even after all the ballet shows I’ve seen, the London theatres left me completely spellbound. They were truly grand and I loved being able to sit front row for a beautiful performance by a wonderfully talented troupe! What a sight for sore eyes!
It was amazing to see everyone so passionately invested in ballet - all swooning at every graceful twirl. It made my heart beat faster just to be amongst such beautiful artistry! Can't you just imagine yourself, sitting in that exquisite Victorian theatre? The magic in the air as you're caught in the beauty of the graceful ballet dancers, and everyone dressed up so beautifully! Just the perfect occasion to have all eyes on you, and for your tutu to be the center of attention.
Oh! And have I told you about my new discovery? You just have to come to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York! It's truly extraordinary. And, my lovely darlings, they even have an entire exhibition of ballet history! I knew it was true! There's nothing quite as enchanting as being surrounded by the history of the art you adore, right? It’s absolutely unforgettable. It’s almost as lovely as seeing a fabulous tutu.
As you know, darling readers, we are obsessed with ballet tutus on Pink Tutu, and we are passionate about keeping ballet history alive. And that's what makes today's special. Every time we get to see more people embrace ballet’s beautiful legacy, it's such a wonderful reminder that our art form is living on. It’s a journey that connects us all!
We believe that tutus should be embraced all over the world, in every decade, for every style. And when it comes to tutus, well, I simply adore them all!
In our own little corner of Derbyshire, we like to celebrate our history by remembering the beautiful times of the past! Our town is where we can find some of the most lovely stories from the olden days. And let's face it, history has been inspiring tutu styles for a very long time.
Here on Pink Tutu, I hope you will join me to appreciate and learn about tutu history so we can keep our wonderful tradition going for years to come! If there's a ballet tutu style from any historical era that you'd love me to write about, just let me know. We always want to hear your suggestions! You can follow me on my blog to keep up to date with our new finds, or simply browse my archive, where I've dedicated every Tuesday for the past two years to share the history of the lovely tutu!
Oh, darling, and be sure to catch me on Instagram. I’m always adding to my collection of pictures and stories and you never know, you might even find a picture of your favorite ballet tutu!
We hope that you'll join us for our next journey in time! It'll be our 2471 post! We’ll explore more beautiful tutus that have had lasting impact on the history of ballet, making them so memorable, forever. Don't you dare miss it!
And just one last little thought, my darlings, as you get ready for your week: I encourage you to go out there and be your own shining star! And wear pink, just for me! You look lovely in it.
Have a wonderfully pink week! 💕
Love, Emma
The Pink Tutu Girl 💖
