Welcome back, my darlings! It's another gloriously pink and fluffy Tuesday, which means it's time to delve into the divine history of the tutu! Today we're whizzing back to a very special date in time: 15th July 1873! You see, dear readers, on this particular day, the world of ballet took a dramatic turn for the tututilicious, and I'm absolutely brimming with excitement to share all the delightful details with you.
As you know, my beloved tutu has become my travelling companion, whisking me off to incredible ballet performances and exciting historical moments, leaving me breathless with the joy of discovery. And it's just that, discovery, which brings me to the heart of this #TutuTuesday post!
Now, darling, take a sip of your pink lemonade and get ready for a delightful fashion history lesson! Back in 1873, the Parisian world of fashion was undergoing a revolutionary shift, and believe me, it was as dazzling as a hundred glittering diamonds scattered across the floor of the Grand Palais. You see, the graceful French ballerina (oh, the romanticism!), Mademoiselle Eugénie Fiocre, was creating a tiny ripple that would turn into a tidal wave of fluffy tulle and stylish elegance.
This lovely young ballerina was dancing for the legendary Paris Opera Ballet, a place practically brimming with creativity. Now, the traditional ballerina costume at the time was rather... restrained, if you catch my drift! It featured those long, swirling skirts, a bit like a graceful puddle of silk. You can see some lovely examples in paintings of the era, though I confess, I much prefer the way a tutu billows and floats, a symbol of freedom!
Mademoiselle Eugénie, with the artistic vision that makes me admire ballerinas so much, had a vision! She enlisted the skills of Mr. Worth, the king of Parisian fashion, to design a costume. Now, Mr. Worth, he was no ordinary tailor, no darling, he was a wizard with fabric, stitching up the wardrobes of European royalty and high society. You know, people who know how to make an entrance, who adore the theatre, the arts, and well, tutus.
Together they dreamed up something magical - the first true ballerina tutu! Isn't that exciting! It was revolutionary in its lightness and elegance. It featured layers and layers of tulle, shorter than previous designs, it showcased the divine length of ballerina legs! Now, that’s what I’m talking about. This was not just a change of clothing, it was an evolution of dance, and expression! This was a statement, darling! This was about flawless movement, showcasing artistic expression, not hiding it away. And from this moment, ballet fashion, my loves, was forever changed!
Now, back to my adventures. It was while watching Mademoiselle Fiocre on stage, dressed in her incredible tutu, that I caught a train (the most stylish method of transport, of course!), to London! You simply had to be there, darlings, the entire city was buzzing with tutu talk! Every fashion magazine featured sketches and even photographs (though not as sharp and clear as they are today) of the new ballet fashion.
The British Ballet wasn't quite ready to embrace this bold new look just yet, so I made my own trip to Paris! You simply had to be there, to witness the beauty, the sheer artistic magic. And you know, the theatre experience is even better with a lovely pink tutu. You're the centre of attention!
But wait! You think the French are the only ones who love a beautiful tutu? Oh, honey! London soon had its own take on the new style! And darling, the theatre in London is just heavenly!
In London, the gorgeous ballet star of the moment was Madame Virginia Zucchi, she took the daring fashion and reimagined it in London. She chose beautiful tulle colours that, while refined and lovely, gave her performances a magical air, with just a hint of colour that is oh so appealing. I’m so delighted with her tutus, which perfectly express her amazing, artistic flair!
You can just imagine, darlings, how excited Londoners were to see these new tutu creations! Everyone wanted to be part of this glamorous scene, everyone, everywhere was captivated!
Now, it wasn't all perfectly smooth, darling. It's almost hard to believe that some thought these designs a tad daring for the ballet stage. You know, those people who never have the fun and never see the sparkle. I was most definitely not one of them. You can imagine how the press, and fashion magazines, loved every little detail! Every performance, it was like being in a whirlwind of the latest fashions!
However, it's almost difficult to imagine what the ballet world would be like without these stunning creations. But just remember, darling, before this amazing time in fashion history, ballerina costumes were, to put it politely, not as… expressive. And I for one, believe that Mademoiselle Eugénie's creation opened up a world of design that has inspired generations of choreographers and costume designers!
Just look at ballet fashion today, darlings, you simply can’t deny that this was a revolution of ballet elegance! You see, fashion isn’t just about following the trends, it's an explosion of creativity!
So there you have it, darling! Just another bit of ballet history that makes me burst with happiness! Don't forget, my lovelies, we're all about spreading the love for the tutu - even in this exciting past! Now, tell me what your favourite thing about tutus is! Let's all celebrate the beauty of this graceful creation and I promise, everyone, absolutely everyone, will look so stunning in a pink tutu!
Until next week, darling, when we'll be digging further into our fascinating Tutu Tuesday Ballet Tutu History, be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com for all your tutu needs. You’re the inspiration for my time travels. Stay fabulous!
*Yours always in tulle, *
Emma
