Hello lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another sparkling edition of Ballet Tutu History. This week, I'm taking you back to a very special date, the 21st of November, 1837. Oh, it was a magical time! I whisked myself away in a whirlwind of pink tulle and landed smack-bang in the heart of… drumroll … Paris!
Now, this was before tutus were really a thing. The world of dance was quite different then. Ballet dancers still twirled and leapt in romantic, billowing skirts, often quite heavy and cumbersome. The ladies were swishing around in gowns called 'tuniques' - kind of like long, flowing dresses.
I, however, in my signature pink tutu, definitely turned heads! Can you imagine the stares I got on the cobbled streets? I practically became a one-woman parade. "Fancy meeting a princess on the boulevards!" someone whispered.
I made a bee-line to the Opéra Garnier (oh, it's breathtaking even for a modern-day girl like myself!) where I attended a spectacular performance. The piece was by one of the great ballet masters, Jean Coralli, titled "Giselle." Imagine, the dancers were even performing on pointe! Such skill, such grace. It was all very grand. I loved how the women moved in their loose tunics, even though they were impractical compared to my little, twirling tutu!
Now, the real reason for my trip to this exciting date was, you guessed it, fashion! Did I tell you about this incredible designer, Charles Worth, whose atelier is just divine? He was at the start of something amazing. This revolutionary designer was about to shake up fashion, bring a new lightness to dress, and influence a whole generation. Can you see where this is going, darlings?
I peeked through his shop window (they were very private back then) and oh my, it was an explosion of colour, texture and innovative cuts. He was all about this new "Empress" style. And with the Queen Victoria becoming empress herself this year, 1837 marked a crucial moment in the story of fashion! Just think how soon we'll be saying 'corsets' and 'hoop skirts' are "so yesterday". We're on the precipice of a fabulous new era for fashion.
Now, on this very same date, in 1837, our beloved Queen Victoria came to power. What a perfect start to her reign, what a moment in time! Just as the Parisian world of dance is shifting and the world of fashion is gearing up for something extraordinary. You can just feel that the whole world is buzzing with new possibilities. And darling, we can all join in!
And, if you're wondering, how on earth does this 21st of November relate to ballet tutus? You know I wouldn't be teasing! The link may seem obscure but its there, and the 21st November is just the starting point.
Keep coming back to www.pink-tutu.com each week for another #TutuTuesday, as I continue to weave through the years, highlighting how the humble ballet tutu was influenced, embraced, and ultimately shaped by so much history. After all, it wasn’t just fashion and a little dance that changed – society, art, and everything we knew was about to undergo an exhilarating transformation.
What will your look be today? Are you feeling adventurous enough to step into your own personal tutu transformation? We'll explore all kinds of styles over the coming weeks – whimsical, sparkling, vintage, even goth (shhh, don't tell my granny!). Just remember: a tutu can be as unique as you are!
Sending you all twirlingly good vibes,
Emma
PS: Don't forget, I love hearing from my tutu-loving readers! Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. What style are you thinking of exploring today? Are you ready to embrace your own Tutu-ful self? Let's twirl into the weekend!**
