Hello my darling dears! It's Emma here, back with another Tutu Tuesday. Can you believe it's been another whole week? I swear, time just flies when you're twirling and twirling and...well, you know.
Today, my lovelies, we're journeying back to the 23rd of July, 1872, for a delightful peek into the world of ballet in its glory days. Just picture it - the gaslights, the carriages, the rustling silks, and of course, the sheer brilliance of the dance.
Now, let's get our imaginary tutus prepped because the big question is, what's the hottest trend in the dance world back then? I'll give you a clue, it's still something we see gracing stages today. Drumroll please... It's the glorious tutu, of course! And believe me, even back in the Victorian Era, the tutu was already turning heads.
Now, unlike some of you young dears with your oh-so-modern dancewear (that fabulous new stretch material is just divine, don't you think?), the ballerinas of this period donned the tulle, a sort of very fine net, which would be meticulously layered and stiffened with buckram. *Can you imagine the effort? I must try it sometime for my blog post... * Imagine it, a symphony of delicate, shimmering layers flowing with every leap, pirouette, and arabesque. It's simply breathtaking.
And what were they wearing those glorious tutus with? Well, darling, think long, flowing skirts, often made of a beautiful material called tarlatan. This fine, lightweight fabric, much loved for its draping and stiffness, adds that elegant touch to every movement. The ballerinas, I tell you, truly embraced the flowy, graceful silhouettes that the era celebrated.
Let's be honest though, my lovelies, it wasn't all just frills and frills. 1872 marked a significant turning point in ballet history. This was the year of Marius Petipa’s triumph – La Bayadère! Yes, darling, the first act of this masterpiece, set in ancient India, was a smash hit in St. Petersburg. Can you imagine seeing it? My oh my, the music, the stories, the costumes. It must have been utterly spellbinding. I do so hope I get to see it some day... perhaps even meet the lovely Mr Petipa. How wonderful to travel back and see his brilliant choreography in its very own time!
Speaking of La Bayadère, a little something so special occurred that year which would eventually revolutionise the world of the tutu: the iconic whipped cream tutu. Yes, that dreamy, cascading confection we've all fallen in love with, making its debut for that unforgettable Kingdom of the Shades scene. Just picture that elegant pas de deux, with its breathtaking choreography, all against the backdrop of white. Absolutely divine.
So darling, if you find yourself wandering through a time-traveling dream and end up on July 23rd, 1872, do pop into a performance at St. Petersburg and immerse yourself in the magic of ballet. You won’t be disappointed. And for those of you back in your own era, remember to twirl with all the elegance and passion of a 19th century ballerina! I can't wait to see your beautiful tutu creations next Tuesday.
Until then, let your imagination take flight,
Love, Emma
P.S. Remember, my lovelies, tutus are for everyone! We all deserve to twirl, to feel a bit of that delightful, dreamy magic that ballet offers. I have some rather divine tutus arriving in my shop this week! And yes, they’re all in my favourite shade - Pink, of course.
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