Hello, my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina, Emma, here, bringing you another captivating dose of ballet history on this glorious #TutuTuesday!
As usual, I'm hopping aboard the Time Express, and this week, we're whisking ourselves back to a date of particular interest: 28th May 1878. Picture this: cobbled Parisian streets, horse-drawn carriages, and the dazzling spectacle of the Opera Garnier. Ah, wouldn't you love to twirl amongst the cobblestones in a perfectly puffed tulle skirt, just like they did back then?
Speaking of twirling, imagine a tutu made not of layers of tulle, but of real silk, delicate lace, and the most exquisite embroidery. This was the ultimate tutu extravagance in 1878, worn by Parisian ballerinas who were quite literally, the epitome of elegance and grace! Now, wouldn't it be fabulous to try one on? It would make any dancer feel like royalty!
The Tutu of 1878: A Glimpse into the Golden Age
The year 1878 witnessed a flourish in ballet costume design. Ballerinas danced in their romantic "long" tutus, flowing all the way down to their ankles in a veritable cloud of silk and tulle. Imagine all those beautiful, flowing layers catching the light as they leaped and twirled across the stage – what a picture!
These exquisite garments were often designed by renowned French fashion houses, creating a true fashion spectacle within the ballet world.
Imagine the effort and precision it took to create these lavish costumes. Each layer of silk and tulle was painstakingly gathered and stitched to create a voluminous and graceful skirt. Tiny details, like delicate lace embellishments and glittering beadwork, were added to create a breathtaking masterpiece. This era of tutu-making was all about luxurious fabrics, elaborate embroidery and painstaking hand-stitching, creating works of art that truly celebrated the female form!
But my darling friends, this glorious era of lavishness was short-lived. A new era in ballet history was around the corner! A period when ballet embraced a less romanticized approach, with costumes transitioning into something a bit simpler, albeit equally beautiful. We'll delve into that transformation in future #TutuTuesdays, but for now, let's keep dreaming about those Parisian ballerinas, gracing the stage in their spectacularly elegant tutus.
Travel with me, dear friends
You see, darling friends, the ballet world has so much to offer. It’s full of adventure, excitement and wonderful moments just waiting to be shared! But enough about my adventures in time, I need to discuss a more current adventure… I'm off on a little weekend escapade to see the London ballet show "Giselle". I'm terribly excited, especially since the leading role will be performed by the wonderful Margot Fontaine, with her spectacular pink tutu! Margot is quite the famous dancer. I can't wait to see what she does with the iconic costume! Oh, and did I mention that I found a beautiful new pink tutu just for the occasion? (It goes perfectly with my newest lace hat, naturally.)
And of course, as you all know, I always plan my trips around my favourite pastime – shopping for everything ballet! From shoes to leotards to, of course, the all-important pink tutu, my wardrobe is constantly expanding.
And with my trusty travel guide, a little "London on the Cheap" pocket book, and a pair of lovely new pink ballet pumps I can navigate the streets of London and its bustling shops. Who says ballet and shopping can’t be combined?!
Oh my dear friends, you wouldn't believe the exquisite little tea shops and vintage stores that line the cobblestone streets of the city. My eyes simply light up at the sight of a beautiful silk shawl, an embroidered vintage hat, or the most adorable tiny ballerina figurines (naturally all in pink). I find myself browsing these little hidden gems for hours, hunting for treasures to adorn myself with, my new pink tutu being the perfect blank canvas.
So, I'm going to be whisked away for the weekend to the charming and exciting world of ballet and shopping. Oh, my dearest friends, this life is truly magical! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Don’t forget… I want everyone wearing a pink tutu!
So, let’s talk about tutus! Now, you don’t need to wait for a special event to put on a glorious pink tutu! Don't be afraid to express your inner ballerina, even if you aren’t in a class or a show.
The next time you need to brighten someone’s day, do what I do and embrace your inner twirling self, darling! Embrace that pink tutu and spread a little ballerina magic. That is what we’re all about at pink-tutu.com.
Until next week, darling friends, embrace your inner twirl and never be afraid to dance! Don't forget to spread your pink tutu magic and always remember: pink is not a colour, it’s a state of mind!
See you on #TutuTuesday!
Lots of twirls, Emma Pink-tutu.com
(The time travel portion of the blog is meant to be presented in a whimsical, fantastical fashion that doesn't focus on the technical aspects of time travel but instead plays up the romantic aspect of traveling through time for ballet and shopping purposes)
