Hello, darling dears! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed blogger, Emma, back with another trip through time to discover the wondrous evolution of the ballet tutu! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for your weekly dose of tutu history! Don't worry, I haven't forgotten my pink tutu – it's quite the conversation starter when I'm travelling to the past. And trust me, this week's story is one that's sure to make you gasp in awe!
This week, my time-travelling shoes landed me in the heart of Paris, the epicentre of ballet, in the year 1858. Can you imagine? This is before the advent of electricity, of motorised cars, and those fabulous flying machines – all of which are simply bursting with ideas for future tutus, darling! We are in the midst of a glorious fashion era, my loves! With all the latest inventions, we're on the brink of changing the way we create, consume and, of course, wear fashion! I bet those inventors have no idea that in just a few decades, fashion will evolve to the extent that the garments themselves are a marvel of modern technology!
Today's date is August 10th, 1858. And this week I discovered that it is the day in history when one of my favourite French fashion designers opened the doors of his very first boutique – Charles Frederick Worth! That's right, my dears, this is the man who would go on to create some of the most elegant and fashionable designs in history! You might be surprised to hear that while ballet may have been on his radar (who wouldn't be inspired by the exquisite ballerinas of the time!), Worth actually made his mark on the fashion world through creating exquisite clothes for women, specifically, his couture gowns and magnificent evening ensembles! Can you picture him, my dears, amidst clouds of muslin, ribbons and silk, breathing life into the world's most dazzling fashion creations? What a magnificent vision for fashion he has – it's hard to imagine what he has yet to dream up!
But enough about Worth, you want to know about the tutus! Let me whisk you back to 1858, dear reader, back to the magnificent Parisian theatre… I'm in the Grand Opera House, my favourite haunt! The opulent details are almost overwhelming! And it's ballet night! And what would a ballet be without the most splendid tutu! Can you just imagine all the whispers of silks and whispers of tutus?! You won't find tutus of just one length in those days – short tutus were worn for character dances, medium tutus for dances that demand more, well, “movements”, shall we say, and long tutus, reaching almost down to the ankles, were worn for those pieces that focus more on lyrical movement. Each style of dance needed a perfect tutu for the task! Such perfection, my dears! I can feel the thrill of excitement coursing through me, my tutu is swishing about my legs, and the orchestra is warming up its strings - Oh, such glamour and romanticism!
It's a delight for the senses - such creativity and freedom, a wonderful moment that leaves you floating on clouds! It's all the ballet can give, the beautiful costumes, the passionate story, the drama of the dances! That was the era in which tutus went beyond being simple dance garments – they became works of art, symbols of grace, elegance, and sheer perfection. Oh, what would my favourite ballet stars from the late Victorian era think of the fabulous fashion of today? We could create an incredible show with some stunning choreography, dazzling costumes, and those ever-so-stylish tutus, even though they would be amazed to hear how they were crafted. It's really a wonder that those glorious ladies weren't wearing electric, shimmering fabrics, and how about that? You'll just have to imagine it and maybe we'll get there one day!
But remember, dear readers, it is not only about the glamour – it's the dedication and hard work that brings it all together, like all art forms, there is more behind the beautiful facade. My little ballerinas in training at the Derbyshire Academy, where my time-travelling adventures begin each week, might not be wearing the same beautiful costumes and performing the same pieces, but they are creating their own magic! My very first tutu was purchased for me by my very first dance teacher! It's now stored safely with my most treasured memories, which, of course, includes my fabulous collection of vintage tutus that are waiting for their moment to be worn again! My advice is to embrace every tutu – don't be shy! Get yourself one – for the dance, for the street, for that special day out. It’s an explosion of freedom and colour - something that should be worn by every little girl, every teenager, every woman, and anyone who dreams of gliding across a stage, or any surface for that matter! You’ll thank me later, darling dears!
Oh! The clock’s ticking! My pink tutu needs to return to its special hiding place, It’s time for me to go, for now, my dear dears! The time portal is already starting to glow and hum - a reminder that it’s time for this tutu to disappear until next Tuesday! I'll leave you all with a little bit of a sneak peek at next week’s episode. Oh, darling, you won't want to miss it! The 19th century was a busy, crazy, fashion-filled time for tutus! We're talking about a true ballet renaissance - and I’ve got some incredible tales to share with you next Tuesday about what changed those famous dance pieces to the way they are presented today! Until then, remember to wear your tutu with pride and grace! Keep dancing, keep smiling, and don't forget to check back next week for another magical #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! 💕
