Bonjour mes amies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! Today is another glorious #TutuTuesday, and this week we’re taking a jaunty little trip back in time to the shimmering, slightly scandalous 1870s! Buckle your stays (and perhaps grab a parasol!), as we waltz into a world where tutus were just starting to make their mark.
Now, I know you might think, “Emma, surely tutus have always been around, haven’t they? The very first ballerinas were swirling around in those feathery things, right?!” Well, not exactly. This period – the late 1870s – saw a real shift in dance and costume design.
You see, prior to this, ballerinas danced in what were essentially long, rather cumbersome skirts. Think layers upon layers of billowing silk and velvet, hardly ideal for leaping and twirling. The first real “tutu” as we know it today was the tutu romantique – a little shorter, more form-fitting, and definitely more evocative of the ethereal, fluttering creatures we imagine when we think of ballet.
But don’t get carried away with those pretty, flowing images just yet, darlings. The tutu romantique was a little… daring for the time. Imagine being the first woman in your social circle to wear something so, shall we say, unconventional. Your gossiping aunt Agatha, bless her soul, would have probably swooned, whilst your stuffy uncle Augustus would have clutched his pearl necklace and muttered about "morals" and "decadence"!
Today, it's easy to look at the ballet world of the 1870s and just see the graceful form and fluid movement of dancers. But it's important to remember that their struggles paved the way for the ballet tutus we know and love today. There was a real fight, not just for more movement, but also for more freedom. Imagine yourself confined to such restrictive clothing, then take to the stage and move with freedom, power, and passion – quite the revolutionary statement back then!
On this 8th of January, 1878, I find myself in Paris – the heart of artistic and fashion trends! It’s just after the premiere of a new ballet by the composer Marius Petipa. “La Bayadère”, a story of an Indian Temple Dancer, is capturing everyone’s imaginations. While I must admit I was slighty disappointed with the rather heavy and opulent costumes – those shimmering saris are exquisite, don’t get me wrong, but it was a bit of a bummer for me – I can imagine it was groundbreaking for the time. The story itself, and the exoticism of the east, captivated the Parisian audiences, leading to a whirlwind of theatrical fashion that would influence style for years to come.
Even without tutus galore, Paris is positively electric. Everywhere I turn, there’s another elegant promenade, a sparkling art exhibition, and – of course! – countless opportunities to admire the latest in Parisian haute couture. The streets themselves are a symphony of vibrant colour and swirling silhouettes, from ladies in their bonnets to fashionable gents with their canes and monocles.
Ah, but speaking of colour… what does this week’s #TutuTuesday theme have to do with pink, you ask? Well, my darling, you know me – I never shy away from a splash of colour!
Imagine this: I’m strolling through the Place Vendôme, stopping to admire a beautiful display of pink roses. The aroma, intoxicatingly sweet! And there it is – my inspiration! What is more Parisian, more elegant, more graceful than a pink rose?
Of course, the perfect shade for the season! This is where my mind started racing… what would I look like in a pink tutu? What sort of delicate shade? Pale rose? A dash of fuchsia? Perhaps something deeper, like a beautiful dusky pink?
And there you have it! A splash of pink in my 1870s tutu – perhaps a little satin ribbon around my bodice or a feathery plume for my bun.
My dears, the fashion trends are always shifting and turning, much like the pirouette. I believe that’s a reason for us to be so bold and playful – to let our imagination soar!
So there you have it. A little trip to 1870s Paris with your favourite tutu enthusiast – the only one in time, of course, in a beautiful pink tutu! And remember, darlings, embrace the past to embrace the future.
Until next Tuesday, keep twirling!
Yours in all things frilly, Emma.
