Welcome back, darling tutus, to my little corner of the internet! This is Emma, your #TutuTuesday hostess, back with another trip into the glorious past of ballet tutus, all from my latest time travel adventure, of course! I just adore diving into these historic periods and seeing how the evolution of our beloved tutus unfolds! Today's date is November 17th, 1874, and we're in the heart of Paris, oh là là, where else, the epicentre of ballet fashion, the land of flowing silk and grand gestures.
Now, my little loves, the last few years have seen some pretty exciting changes in the world of the tutu. As a budding ballerina, it's all so fascinating! While the grand ballerinas of the past had those extravagant multi-layered tutus, they could sometimes feel a little too extravagant. They were so big! Not terribly practical if you wanted to twirl, I say. Luckily, by the time 1874 rolls around, a change is afoot. It's the rise of the romantic tutu, which is, frankly, darling! Imagine delicate tulle layered into a billowing cascade. Imagine a ballerina moving like a gentle breeze, her steps so graceful, her silhouette so ethereal - that's what a romantic tutu is all about. Think prima ballerina Marie Taglioni's signature looks - pure poetry in motion!
And today, as fate would have it, is a day dedicated to romance! Today is the birthday of one of the greatest, most passionate, French composers of all time, Hector Berlioz. Now, dear tutus, if you want a truly magical evening out, head on down to the Paris Opera! They are staging one of Berlioz's grand works, "Beatrice and Benedict." What better way to celebrate the rise of the romantic tutu than with an operatic performance inspired by a brilliant composer, full of captivating melodies and swirling drama?
And I wouldn't miss the chance to shop! For you see, Parisian fashion, darling, is quite something to behold, especially when it comes to accessories. As a woman of exquisite taste, my eyes are glued to the finest hats! French hats are, frankly, iconic, aren't they? Elegant feathers, intricate ribbons, and delicate millinery that just cries out to be adorned with the right outfit. I envision my beloved pink tutu, dancing under a chic black hat, with a playful feather that brushes my cheek. Sighs dreamily
You see, my love for tutus just knows no bounds, from their glorious history to their beautiful modern interpretations. It’s something about the way they spin, the way they capture a sense of light and carefree energy, they just scream pure happiness, you see? I'm not surprised that people all over the world, from grand ladies to little princesses, adore tutus. They bring joy and beauty, and they embody all that is elegant and whimsical. It is why I love traveling and seeing all the beautiful places across the globe and sharing it all with you. I feel it's my mission, in a way, to share this love with every single one of you. We need a tutu revolution! More pink! More sparkle! More happiness! I am here to encourage you, dear tutus, to embrace your inner dancer and bring that sparkle into your life. Let’s bring some joyful magic into every day!
I can't wait for another adventure, to dig deeper into the beautiful evolution of the ballet tutu! But for now, it's back to Derbyshire for me! Time travel takes a lot of energy, especially with the London to Paris train ride, so a good night's sleep, perhaps a quick trip to the bakery in the morning and a good ol' English cup of tea are needed! See you next week for another exciting installment in our #TutuTuesday journey. Stay fashionable, my lovelies! And remember: *Life's too short to be anything but fabulous. *Twirls. **
And before I forget, I’ve got a question for you. I’m curious, what are your favorite colours for a tutu? Is there a particular colour that makes you feel magical? Tell me all about it, send a letter or telegraph your answer, and I'll share some of your favorite responses in next week's post! And don't forget to keep sending in those vintage photographs of your lovely grandmother's old tutus – we are gathering the #VintageTutus archive here!
This post has been #2238 in our Ballet Tutu History blog series, we love to post #TutuTuesday posts on www.pink-tutu.com each week. You can find more exciting information and photos in our Ballet Tutu History and #VintageTutus archives here. Keep coming back to this blog for your regular #TutuTuesday fix!
_Until next time, darling tutus, don’t forget to wear pink…if you can get away with it!! And dance! Dance, like nobody's watching! It makes me so happy, seeing you twirling around! _
Warmly,
Emma
