Greetings from your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma!
It’s #TutuTuesday again, and this week, I’m whisking us all back in time to the captivating year of 1871. Fancy a trip to the vibrant heart of ballet? Let's take the train (my favourite mode of transport, ever since those charming steam engines took me all over Europe!) to a little place called St. Petersburg, Russia, and let's just say, I'm feeling pretty rosy about this journey!
Oh, the tutu tales this year holds! Can you imagine a time before tutus, when ballerinas danced in long, billowing skirts, which, I must admit, did little to show off their incredible artistry? Thankfully, things were about to change!
1871 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the tutu, a moment when ballerinas started to embrace the sheer elegance and fluidity of shorter skirts, unveiling their gracefully sculpted limbs and adding a captivating dimension to their movements. Can you imagine a world without these wispy, graceful layers? I can't! It would be unthinkable, simply unthinkable!
Now, let's imagine we’re walking down a cobbled street, towards the magnificent Imperial Mariinsky Theatre (so glamorous!), for an evening of breathtaking ballet. Picture this: the ladies all clad in beautiful, intricate dresses with their perfectly coiffed hair adorned with elegant ribbons, and the gentlemen, dashing in their formal attire, looking as suave as can be. Then there’s the stage - filled with talented ballerinas, some adorned in what I would call 'proto-tutus' – those skirts, just a little shorter than usual, starting to give us a tantalizing peek at their elegant legs and showcasing a whole new kind of beauty. The excitement! It's in the air!
I’m particularly enchanted by the style that’s emerging at this time – the ballet tutu is slowly transitioning from the fuller, tiered style of the past to something much more refined, focusing on movement and form. It’s becoming more about the silhouette, showcasing a graceful line from shoulders to feet – just as elegant as it can be!
Imagine, a ballet troupe on stage, each ballerina wearing a beautifully layered, sheer fabric tutu in a palette of shimmering, elegant colours – soft peaches, creamy ivory, or the most luscious of sky blues. They’re moving like graceful birds, their delicate tutus billowing around them as they pirouette and leap, their bodies telling a captivating story in a whirlwind of silken movement. Truly mesmerising!
And who do we have to thank for these beautiful dancewear designs? I have a feeling a certain Mademoiselle Taglioni has a lot to do with this, with her innovations changing the dance world. In fact, they're saying her signature ‘la pointe’ dance (which I just HAVE to try!) paved the way for tutus and ballet slippers that became more lightweight and flowing. How ingenious! And can we please mention the delightful ribbons, which are just starting to become part of the dancers’ ensemble? What an incredible and elegant touch!
I’ve been indulging myself in the fascinating world of theatre fashions of the 1870s and let me tell you – the ballet world was a real innovator in fashion trends, especially with its use of delicate fabrics. The lighter the fabric, the more freedom and fluidity the ballerinas had in their movements – this made a real difference!
Of course, my visit wouldn't be complete without some indulgent shopping! You know me, a ballet girl just has to get herself some gorgeous pieces from the boutiques that line the grand avenues in this beautiful city. My eye is catching a glimpse of those gorgeous ribbons – the most exquisite array of velvet and silk ribbons you’ve ever seen, each in a spectrum of elegant colors, the perfect accessory to complement my beloved tutu! Imagine those soft pastels, rich plums, or vibrant scarlets, cascading around the waist, perfectly coordinating with a delightful array of shades in the tutu itself – I’m swooning at the very thought!
Shopping is almost as exciting as the ballet itself – although let's be honest, I always find it difficult to decide on just ONE perfect shade for my outfit. It's so much fun, selecting ribbons that match the delightful shimmer of my own favourite tulle, I just HAVE to treat myself to a little extravagance! It is, after all, a ballerina's duty to always be prepared, for any eventuality, for any dazzling ballet that calls for a fresh, pink, magnificent tutu ensemble!
There are such delightful possibilities in this age – ballet slippers that truly whisper rather than stomp on the stage! This truly elevates the art of dancing, as it moves into an age of incredible grace, making the performers' elegance shine like a diamond. How very clever.
Now, to wrap up our lovely trip. Let me share some trivia about this fascinating date, 25th July 1871, for all you Tutu Tuesday enthusiasts. This was the day a little country in the south Pacific called Fiji finally became a British Colony! I love the stories behind those little details about this era – who could resist the allure of a charming pink tutu when you’re on a trip around the world?
Until next time, my little pink tutu enthusiasts. May your lives be filled with graceful steps, exquisite pink tulle, and dreams as enchanting as a swirling, sparkling ballerina's. Until then, let's dance and dream, dear friends, dance and dream!
