Greetings, dearest tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome to another edition of #TutuTuesday! Today, we're whisking ourselves back to the year 1852, to a time when the ballet world was abuzz with change and creativity. This journey takes us from the elegant ballrooms of Vienna to the bustling streets of Paris - all in the name of the fabulous tutu, of course!
But before we embark on our sartorial voyage, let's catch up with what else is going on in this fabulous year of 1852! The Queen and the rest of England are in a bit of a tizzy about the opening of the first public library, wouldn't you know it? Talk about an excellent excuse to dust off your prettiest gowns and fancy hats for a grand opening bash, eh?
Back in my time-travelling adventures, the journey started at the Victoria Station, bustling with people heading to all corners of London. Oh, how I adore those grand Victorian train stations! All those intricate designs, the glorious vaulted ceilings, and the ever-so-subtle scent of old leather and pipe tobacco – simply enchanting!
But, as I stepped into my very own pink tutu (naturally, it's a vintage creation, found tucked away in a little antique shop in Derbyshire!), I knew that our journey had to take us straight to Vienna.
Vienna – Waltz and Wonderful Tutuline
1852 saw the waltz taking Vienna by storm, and the dancers in those elegant Viennese ballrooms certainly knew how to make the most of it. You see, darling, this is where the tutu truly began its dance with history! It was around this time that the “tutu romantique” began to take shape – a lighter, airier style, featuring the classic billowing layers of tulle.
Imagine swirling through the ballroom, feeling that beautiful tulle float around your legs with every turn. It was like being enveloped in a cloud of beauty, and the dancers were able to move with a fluidity that the heavier skirts of the past just couldn't achieve! The tutu romantique, with its billowy design, captured that ethereal quality and let the ballerina soar like a true sylph!
Imagine my delight when I happened upon a soirée hosted by a society madam - she had just purchased a breathtaking tulle skirt that looked absolutely divine on her! Her rosy cheeks, a blush matching the delicate pink of the skirt, added a sweet and charming touch to the whole look. It truly brought the romance back to the ballet, which was starting to shift away from the pure story-telling of earlier years. It felt like the ultimate celebration of both fashion and movement. I even convinced a young gentleman to put a ribbon and a few sprigs of greenery in his hair and dance with me - the more tulle, the better!
Paris - Fashion’s Playground
But alas, darling, it was Paris that was truly shaping the look of the tutu. You know, Paris – that glorious city where the most cutting-edge designers created the most astonishing and inventive fashions! And it’s the perfect place to find the right tutu for a special occasion.
The tutuline (as they were called back then, much less whimsical than the word “tutu,” eh?) started appearing on ballet stages all over France, and that era was full of incredible, dramatic ballets. They were perfect to showcase that stunning, fluid, graceful dance – everything you want to see in a captivating ballet performance! It was like an explosion of tulle and grace, and a bold step away from the heavy skirts of the past!
Just walking through the shops on Rue de Rivoli, my eyes went wild with all the luxurious silks and satins. And the variety of lace! It was like stepping into a veritable fairytale world, where every day was a day to celebrate beauty and creativity! And as the dance craze took over France, there was a delightful rush of ladies, each wearing a variation of a tutu-inspired design - they were having a little "fun with their skirt", as it were!
And imagine, darlings, I even witnessed an impromptu street performance. Some young ladies, seemingly on their way home, spun their petticoats, revealing an unexpected burst of colourful undergarments. They used the rhythm of their walking as a driving force for their movement. The entire street seemed to hold its breath. Even the gentlemen – dapper, top-hatted figures – seemed captivated by the scene.
It was during my Paris stop that I came across an astonishing book dedicated entirely to tutu patterns. I bought it in a heartbeat! The book showcased such wonderful illustrations of the most diverse tutus, even some with vibrant splashes of color and feathers - like something straight out of a fairytale! That's how I know it was more than just a garment, but a true form of art in its own right, darlings.
I mean, the fashion scene is one where a little tutu can be a very versatile garment – you can find them paired with everything from boots to elegant gloves and even shawls – just as it still is today! Oh, you should see some of the divine combinations I’ve seen in my time travels – I just have to tell you, that Parisian sense of style is truly something else!
So what is a tutu to you, darling?
You can use it to add a pop of drama to an outfit, or you can pair it with a casual denim skirt for a little dose of chic whimsy! The possibilities, my lovelies, are endless. And just remember, always a good reason to add a dash of tutu to your wardrobe - after all, a world with tutus is a much more delightful place. Until next Tuesday, dear reader, let us remember to be unafraid to add some flair and beauty to our own unique style!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
