Hello, darling dears! Emma here, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-adoring time traveller! It's Tuesday, which means it's time for another thrilling trip through the fascinating history of the tutu! This week, we're hopping on a steam train and venturing back to December 15th, 1874! Buckle up, lovelies, because we're about to go on a truly whimsical adventure!
I'm writing to you from Paris, darlings, the very heart of the tutu-loving world! The City of Lights is aglow with the twinkling of the festive season, and oh, how my heart does soar! The grand Christmas markets are teeming with exquisite handcrafted wares and scrumptious treats - I can practically taste those gingerbread men! But the true wonder of this season is the Ballet!
Paris is, of course, the ultimate destination for ballet fans, with the opulent Opéra Garnier drawing the most talented dancers from all corners of the globe. Just last night, I saw the most captivating performance of "Giselle" - it was positively breathtaking! The costumes were just glorious – the shimmering white tutus were like clouds in a celestial dream, the intricate detailing, oh, it simply took my breath away! I'm a bit obsessed, as you all know. ;)
Speaking of those iconic tutus, darlings, December 15th, 1874 is particularly special for the history of the tutu because… well, actually, nothing particularly noteworthy happened in terms of tutu development on that exact date! The ballet world was happily humming along, and that's something to celebrate! Just as a ballerina can never have too many shoes or tutus, the world can never have too much happiness, right? I mean, wouldn't you agree that it's wonderful that on this particular date, all anyone in Paris needed to do was get wrapped up warm and go see the beautiful, elegant art form of ballet? Now that's something I find rather lovely and wonderful!
Instead of a momentous historical event, let's have some fun with the fashion from this era. December 1874 was very much in the Victorian Era and we can’t forget this had a huge impact on the fashion and hence the evolution of the tutu! Imagine long, elegant, billowing skirts made from shimmering fabrics. Now, picture them being re-imagined as beautiful tutu shapes with tulle layers upon layers to give a floating ethereal look!
The Victorian aesthetic of this era focused heavily on layering fabrics - Think velvet and lace to create dramatic contrasts – it's this that I love! Imagine those dramatic bell-shaped tutus made from tulle or the super feminine and flowing tutus from a very beautiful layered fabric, all just made even more luxurious by velvet! Victorian dressmakers loved to experiment, mixing and matching different fabrics and colours, making the whole fashion aesthetic extremely rich.
Just imagine what these trends would look like adapted for our dear tutus, darlings! Imagine the textures! Velvet bodices paired with soft layers of white tulle. Now that is serious fashion flair! If anyone can tell me where to find some tutus in the style of the 1870s – and maybe the most spectacular 1870s costume made in tulle from every available shade of pink – well, my dear readers, I must hear from you! You know that all things are possible for a tutu lover who doesn't mind hopping through time to find the most exquisite examples!
But let’s go back to December 15th, 1874, the ballet scene. Think of the iconic tutus that would have adorned the graceful ballerinas. The dancers, who by the way are practically goddesses when they gracefully take to the stage in tutus. Oh, to be one of them, wouldn’t it be heaven to swirl and twirl all night long.
Those iconic romantic tutus of this era were longer, more romantic, with swirling tiers of tulle that looked absolutely captivating. Can you see it, dear readers? It’s utterly romantic, oh, and completely breathtaking. But my absolute favourite element from this time period is how delicate those romantic tutus looked in performance. The softness of the material, the graceful movements the dancers made as they performed... divine.
Remember, those 19th century ballerinas had the skill and stamina to twirl and dance for hours wearing such elaborate garments! A true tribute to their dedication to the art of ballet.
As a dedicated fan of the art and a passionate believer that tutus are meant for all, I've had a little think about how we can make December 15th, 1874 a special day for our own era! I propose we create a brand new dance trend! Imagine it, dear readers - we could start a worldwide dance challenge – one that requires everyone to put on their best tutu, even if it's just a little one on a special outfit – and do a celebratory dance together for our very own romantic tutu era. Now wouldn't that be fun! Let's spread the joy of twirling!
Now, darlings, I'm off to explore more of Paris, but don't worry, I'll be back next Tuesday with another tantalizing piece of tutu history. Until then, don't forget to wear your favourite tutu - after all, the world is a much brighter and more beautiful place with a dash of twirling in it. Now go on, you lovely people - twirl those pink tutus! And don’t forget, darling dears – keep twirling, keep shopping, keep dancing! It’s all about embracing life and its simple joys – don't you agree? I’m off now, #TutuTuesday must be truly embraced.
Sending you all my love and twirlingest hugs, Emma xoxo
