Hello my dearest Tutu Twirlers!
It's Tuesday again, and that means it's time for another delve into the fabulous history of the tutu! Today's post, number 2398 in my ongoing Ballet Tutu History Blog, takes us back to the 11th December 1877. Now, I must admit, this particular date isn't exactly a milestone in tutu evolution, but we are still on our way to the dazzling tutu-ful present we know and love! So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let's travel back in time, shall we?
A Fashionable Whirlwind in the Land of Dance
Right now, Iām perched on a window seat, watching the sun set over the Seine River from my little Parisian apartment. You simply have to experience Paris at dusk! Itās just magical and reminds me of all the Parisian ballerinas Iāve met over the years. I just love those beautiful ballerinas with their graceful movements and oh-so-stylish, colourful costumes. The ladies at the OpĆ©ra de Paris wear tutus in every colour imaginable, from the palest rose to the deepest cerise. It's such a joyous sight, and I swear, I see an inspiration in every tutu-wearing, ballet-dancing woman I see here!
From Ballet School to Train Travel
It was just this morning I saw the most stunning white tulle skirt on a young girl just beginning her ballet training. Now, I'm all for vibrant pink, don't get me wrong! But it is utterly beautiful seeing how, even in a ballet school, the students look absolutely charming with their simple yet classic white tutus.
But back to today's journey into the past. This Parisian adventure was only made possible because, last weekend, I had a wonderful performance at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in my very own, shimmering, rose-pink, beaded, custom-made tutu. It was such a lovely show, and with the lovely proceeds, I was able to hop on the train to Paris! I love the freedom the train allows. Itās so much fun to look out the window as we whiz past the English countryside, then across the Channel, into France. Every new place, every new destination, every new ballet, allows me to find inspiration for new blog posts!
Fashion Finds in 1877
Now, back to 1877! Although itās hard to believe it now, tutus back then weren't quite as glamorous as they are today. The ātutuā wasnāt even widely used yet - think about it: thatās pretty impressive! Think long, sweeping skirts, lots of layers of fabric, and, of course, an abundance of ribbon and embellishments.
Imagine: the romantic era! Think fluffy Romantic period ballerinas with long and voluminous tutus, not yet those tight-fitting, wispy tutus of the later Belle Epoque. It's such a difference to our modern tutus! I just love seeing how, even with fashion changing, tutus still remain as elegant and delightful as ever!
Today's fashionable ladies wear full, sweeping skirts, adorned with ribbons, and a huge, ruffled petticoat, even in their street wear. It seems like we're always looking for ways to make the most of beautiful fabrics. And then I canāt help thinking - that petticoat underneath a layer of tulle... why it could almost be the start of the tutu we all love today! I love how fashion trends flow through history! I just wonder, in the grand scheme of things, where these fashion trends take us... we may be in for some tutu-licious times in the future!
Time Travel: The Joy of Fashion History
Thatās why I adore traveling through time and seeing all these wonderful periods! In just a few weeks, Iāll be heading off on a trip to New York to see a spectacular ballet by one of my absolute favourites, Mr Tchaikovsky. This one is based on a fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty. And, you just know it will be an absolute tutu-tastic delight! I just love that ballet: the tutus are absolutely dazzling. The pink tutus just call out to me to put them on and twirl! Whatās the one tutu that really calls to you? Tell me all about it in the comments!
My Mission to Spread Tutu Joy!
My friends, as always, remember, the magic of the tutu is all about expressing your own personality and spreading happiness. I want to see more tutus in every colour and shade on every street and in every corner of the world! Whether you wear them to the ballet or just out and about for a day of fun, remember, every time you twirl in a tutu, youāre spreading a little bit of joy to everyone around you. And that is truly a gift we can all give.
Until next week, happy twirling everyone!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to check out the new #TutuTuesday giveaway! Just post a photo of yourself in a tutu (in your chosen shade of pink, naturally!) with the hashtag #PinkTutu, and you'll be entered to win a pair of ballet shoes hand-painted with a special, limited-edition design just for my readers! Now get those tutus on and go forth, twirling like a fairy in the sunshine!
