Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling fashionista, ready to take you on another trip down memory lane for this week's #TutuTuesday. Today we're hopping on the train (because who doesn't love a good train journey?!) and travelling back to the Victorian Era.
Hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because we're heading to Paris, the heart of all things chic, on July 23rd, 1850! Just picture it - cobblestone streets, bustling cafes, and the tantalizing scent of freshly baked croissants. It's the era of hoop skirts and bonnets, when the waltz was all the rage and the ballet world was on the cusp of revolution.
Now, I must confess, dear readers, this era wasn't quite as pink and fluffy tutu-filled as you might think. Ballet at the time was still rather masculine, with leaps and turns being replaced with graceful gestures and poses. It wasn't until later that tutus would become the flamboyant showstoppers we know and love today!
So, what was going on in the ballet world on this particular day? Well, you wouldn't find any grand ballerinas spinning in elaborate tutus at the opera house. But, what you might find is a budding young dancer practicing their technique at the Paris Opera Ballet, preparing for a future where the stage would be illuminated by the magic of a well-constructed, perfectly pink tutu.
But fear not, dear reader! The seeds of our beloved tutus were being sown! Imagine the delicate and whimsical designs that would later become iconic - the delicate layers of tulle, the airy elegance, the way they danced with the movements of the body!
Speaking of movement, let's delve into the fascinating world of the pas de basque! It was a popular step in ballet during this period, showcasing a graceful sway and a flowing movement. Just think of all the lovely, romantic ballets they danced, perhaps a charming little story of a beautiful, gentle heroine who could waltz with a grace that could rival any swan.
And as the years passed, tutus became increasingly intricate and refined, and were soon regarded as symbols of beauty, grace and elegance.
Today, I encourage you all to embrace the magic of the past and the glorious present! Even without the iconic tutus of our day, the spirit of ballet was alive and vibrant in 1850. Think about the elegant dresses, the beautifully flowing movements, the breathtaking elegance. It’s a spirit we can all still appreciate and channel, even in our modern times.
Speaking of modern times, don't forget, darling readers, I'm always on the lookout for the most fabulous tutu finds! So head over to my shop, and check out my amazing pink collection – you won't be disappointed!
And as always, feel free to join the conversation over on my website at www.pink-tutu.com! Let's spread the joy of tutus, one twirl at a time.
Until next Tuesday, happy twirling!
With love and glitter,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Did you know, the most beautiful ballerina in history, Anna Pavlova, was born in 1881?! Just think, we are getting ever closer to the grand age of tutus!
