Hiya my darling dears! It’s Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another instalment of Tutu Tuesday!
Oh, my goodness, where do I even begin? This week's trip was simply spectacular. Imagine, darlings, me waltzing through the Parisian streets in a crisp autumn day in 1871! The cobbled streets, the horse-drawn carriages, the elegant ladies in their billowing skirts and… you guessed it… the T-U-T-U-S!
Oh, how I love a Parisian ballet performance! This week's show was Swan Lake - a veritable delight! The swan costumes were divine - such a feast for the eyes! Those feathery details… heavenly!
It's times like these, that I wish I could have everyone wear a pink tutu like mine - a symphony of ruffles and lace, designed for pure twirling delight. Don’t worry, my little tutu enthusiasts, one day you’ll all have your own! (And you better believe I’m planning to write a comprehensive guide on tutu styling – coming soon!).
So, where to begin… Let’s start with what’s been going on in this oh-so-fashionable period.
The Grand Ballet Boom: Parisian SplendourMy dears, we are right in the midst of a glorious era for ballet, with Paris at its epicentre. And what would a ballet performance be without a tutu? Think of the iconic swan costumes of Swan Lake, oh, the beautiful, billowing fabric that flowed with the dancers’ every graceful movement. Simply divine!
The year 1871 marked the culmination of what ballet scholars call "the Golden Age of ballet," with several new techniques emerging in the choreography, particularly the use of lighter movements that emphasised a softer, almost ethereal feminine quality in ballet performance.
And darling, let me tell you, these movements looked exquisite! The dancers were like floating clouds, twirling around in their flowing tutus, just beautiful!
Tutu Trends of 1871While tutus came in a range of shapes and styles, there were some key features we are beginning to see consistently, trends that continued right up to the end of the century:
- The Romantic Tutus: Think flowing layers, frills and lace. These are the ultimate embodiment of whimsical ballet elegance, a stark contrast to the more strict, formal designs of earlier ballet performances.
- Longer Lengths: Gone were the days of super short, knee-length tutus! In 1871, the graceful flow of long tutus was a true mark of fashion and, I daresay, romance. Imagine, ladies, a ballerina spinning gracefully with yards of exquisite fabric in tow - it was like a dreamy dance in the clouds!
- Feathery Fancies: Oh, the embellishments! Forget just simple fabric, 1871 saw a dramatic shift towards tutus that featured embellishments like sequins and, you guessed it, feathers! Think intricate detail and elegant silhouettes.
It’s no surprise that ballet’s grand, theatrical, and flamboyant style influenced everyday fashion at the time. The beauty of a well-placed tutu has such a positive impact on both dancer and viewer. Just imagine yourself in a perfectly draped, softly falling fabric… don't you just want to twirl, darlings?
You see, the elegance and grace of these designs resonated through the fashion of the day! These are designs that transcend the boundaries of ballet itself!
For those with the boldness and a penchant for grandiosity, they may even see the elegance of the ballet tutus in women’s fashion. It is no surprise that women's fashion during the period 1870-1890 reflects these influences. We can see the ballet tutus reflected in the extravagant volume and romantic silhouette of the skirts and dresses, particularly when viewed in period photos.
Back To The Past, 24th of October, 1871: What happened on This Very Day!The world may be a completely different place, but one thing has remained constant: a woman’s ability to express herself with beauty! So I must confess, I did indulge in a little bit of 19th century Parisian shopping after the ballet performance!
It was on this date, the 24th of October, that my friend Sarah Bernhardt graced the stage with her mesmerizing performance in a Camille production, wowing the crowds with her breathtakingly emotional portrayal. This legendary French actress brought such drama and feeling to the stage… her performance was pure inspiration! (Yes, I actually travelled a few years back to see one of her earlier shows!)
Sadly, my darling tutus aren’t quite in fashion here (yet), though I am trying! Still, a great way to express your love of dance and grace is by taking some classes or seeing a show! Oh, I could get lost in those gorgeous tutus - a little bit of heaven in each dance studio.
*That’s all for this week’s Tutu Tuesday! *
Have you ever visited the theatre to see a ballet performance? What was it like? Have you ever gone shopping for ballet tutus?
And most importantly… let’s get all those beautiful tutus in the world out on show, shall we? #TutuTuesday is our time to celebrate everything twirly and gorgeous!
Until next time, my darlings!
Stay fabulous, Emma
xx
