Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Emma here, your pink-clad chronicler of all things tutus! Today, I'm taking you on a time-travelling adventure to a rather glorious August 12th, back in the year 1873! It's all in the name of #TutuTuesday, of course! 😉
As a true Derbyshire girl at heart, nothing beats hopping aboard a steam train, whizzing through the countryside, and stepping into a world of the past. Today, my destination is Paris - the city that truly understands the grace and beauty of a perfectly poised tutu.
Oh, and if you're thinking, "But Emma, weren't tutus invented later?", you'd be partly right! Whilst tutus weren't as dramatic and voluminous as the ones we see on stage today, the essence of the fluffy, layered skirt was certainly present in the dance costumes of the 1870s! Imagine, my darlings, dancers flitting about the stage in skirts with frills, perhaps a bit less structured, a bit more flowing, but just as breathtaking!
But hold on a moment, let's talk fashion, because 1873 Paris wasn't just about ballet, oh no, it was the epicentre of style! Picture streets filled with women adorned in elegant bustle gowns, with voluminous layers that could make even the most daring of modern-day tutus look quite demure. Those Parisian ladies had an absolute flair for drama!
This year, on August 12th, Paris was abuzz with a special occasion - the opening of the famed Théâtre du Châtelet! A grand palace of art, a hub for theatre, ballet, and everything dazzling, and definitely a place where the tutu would have made an appearance, if not centre stage, then at least among the fashionable crowds in the audience. Imagine the flutter of fabric, the delicate lace, the sparkle of the gaslight reflected in those tulle layers... just thinking about it sets my imagination ablaze!
The Parisian style, as ever, was so much about individuality. We might not see those bold, extravagant colours that we know and love in our 21st-century tutus, but I can almost envision women sporting a subtle hint of pink here, a splash of vibrant green there, all perfectly paired with those exquisite bustles. This era of fashion embraced individual flair and artistry, much like the passion we hold for tutus, don't you think?
So, dear readers, on this #TutuTuesday, let us channel the spirit of 1873! Let's celebrate the evolution of dancewear and those beautiful early iterations of the tutu! Let's embrace the spirit of fashion and create our own unique expressions! And above all, let's keep dreaming of dancing, dreaming of tutus, dreaming of Paris... and may this spark some delightful memories and inspiring outfit ideas for you all! 😉
I leave you, for now, with this: Never stop twirling! Your tutu-loving Emma. xoxo
P.S. If you are visiting Paris any time soon, be sure to catch a show at the Châtelet - It's truly a magical experience! 💖
