Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's Emma, your favourite pink-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you back in time again for our weekly dose of tutu history.
This week, we're travelling to February 25th, 1873!
Now, picture this: the scent of freshly polished floorboards and a whisper of champagne. The lights are dimming in a grand theatre in Paris. The orchestra, in their finest, tunes their instruments. You've got your most fabulous fan, adorned with a scattering of sparkling sequins, clutched tightly in your hand and your new dress is positively bursting with romantic tulle ruffles!
Yes, ladies, it's opening night! And what are you waiting with bated breath to see? None other than the iconic ballet "La Bayadère"! This glorious production features the very first real tutu - the short, airy, perfectly layered tulle masterpiece that you all know and love today.
Back in the early days of ballet, skirts were floor-length and fussy, quite impractical for twirling and leaps. Imagine trying to execute a graceful fouetté with yards and yards of fabric clinging to your legs! So thank heavens for the groundbreaking dance sensation, Marie Taglioni, who boldly embraced shorter skirts, revealing her elegant limbs and allowing for incredible freedom of movement. It was revolutionary! This ushered in a new era of ballet and paved the way for the development of the iconic, delicate tutus we know and love today.
Tutus, I simply adore them! They are just so elegant, light and airy, not to mention perfect for pirouettes!
Now, this “La Bayadère” production was absolutely spectacular! A whirlwind of flaming colour, intricate steps, and breathtaking costumes. The costumes were so unbelievably gorgeous. If you haven't had a chance to catch a performance of this magnificent ballet, I highly recommend a visit to your local theatre! You can be sure the ballerinas will be wearing the most exquisite tutus - they make me long to dance on stage myself!
In the world of ballet fashion, 1873 was all about graceful curves, a touch of drama, and romantic tulle. Tulle itself was the queen of the fabrics – this gauzy wonder allowed for perfectly layered tutus that caught the light in a magical way.
Speaking of magical...I’ve recently discovered a truly captivating piece of history – the story of the “Le Spectre de la Rose” ballet! Oh, my, how this is another spectacular production. This ballet had such an incredibly exciting story about an enchanted rose and a beautiful ballerina who danced the night away in its light! The lead ballerina had a breathtaking costume! A delicate, airy, single layer tutu, oh it was magnificent, a true work of art and I’m not just saying that because I love tutus so!
But back to the pink tutus! Don’t you just adore a truly stunning pink tutu? The pink tutu! Such a powerful, elegant statement, don't you think? Just thinking of a sea of pink tutus twirling on stage... such a lovely sight! Of course, for me, the ultimate tutu is always going to be pink – a colour that signifies joy, happiness, and elegance!
If you've been following me, my lovely readers, you know how much I adore a good shopping trip! It’s one of my favourite parts about time travel! And speaking of shopping, you can be certain that a good Parisian fashion house in 1873 wouldn’t be caught dead without a vast selection of fine tulle! It was simply a must-have! So it was only natural that a lady of taste and sophistication in those days had at least a couple of gorgeous, swirling, full tutus in her wardrobe! Think of all the wonderful fabrics, ribbons, sequins and even jewels to adorn a perfectly pink tutu! A perfect way to accessorise!
Now, it’s only natural, to round off a trip to Paris, that I indulge in some of its finest chocolates and maybe take in a performance of ballet at the exquisite Paris Opera House, a truly captivating venue. Can you imagine a glorious pink tutu, gleaming beneath the sparkling chandeliers?
And how do I manage these wondrous time-travelling adventures? It's simple! A love of dance is the ultimate passport through the ages! And for a girl who lives, breathes and dances in her pink tutu, it's a life full of adventures in both time and style.
Until next week, darlings! Stay stylish and don’t forget – we all have a pink tutu inside!
XOXO Emma, from www.pink-tutu.com.
