Bonjour mes amis! It’s your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, here, ready to whisk you away to a time when the tutu, oh so beloved by us dancers, was just starting to take centre stage, quite literally!
This week, we’re hopping onto the Orient Express, with my trusty pink tutu as hand luggage, and setting the date for the 9th of September, 1879! Yes, it’s quite a trip to make, especially when I’ve got to balance travelling through time with finding the right vintage lace for my next creation! But I promise, it’s worth the journey.
I landed myself right in the heart of Paris, oh, the air is thick with the buzz of creativity, of romance, of theatre, of art, and let's not forget – the excitement for a good ballet show. But let’s not be dramatic just yet! We're in the era of the Romantic tutu. Think airy, ethereal, flowing, a cloud of diaphanous loveliness made of delicate tulle. Now imagine it all in pink! It's an absolute dream! You know what they say - the most perfect thing in life is pink…
You see, this period of ballet history was truly enchanting, my darlings. It was an age of graceful ballerinas, long, flowing lines, and yes, the tutu was at its peak! The short, rigid classical tutu we all know and love was yet to make its grand appearance!
The Romantic tutu, the kind we're transported to right now in our little trip back in time, is something else altogether! It flowed around the ballerinas' legs in delicate, billowing layers. No heavy weight, just airy elegance.
Picture it – this ethereal garment of tulle, the colour of spun sugar and whispered dreams – and imagine how it dances to the music! You’d swear it’s part of the ballerina herself, almost like a second skin. It’s this exquisite harmony that captures the soul, the spirit of romanticism. It's about defying gravity and soaring above the stage with sheer, delightful beauty!
Think of the greatest ballerinas of the time, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny Cerrito, Marie Taglioni… their names were synonymous with this romantic style of dancing. Just think about Giselle, one of the most beloved ballets of the era. What a ballet that is, don’t you think? It embodies everything that romantic ballet and the Romantic tutu represent: a tale of ethereal love and heartbreak – all performed with elegance, passion and flowing, dreamlike grace.
Even back in 1879, the love for pink was truly starting to bubble, much like it is now! There was a lot of experimentation and innovation with colour. I would love to show you all the fabulous frocks with their incredible fabrics and textures – some quite literally woven from light. Oh, and the colours! They were so expressive, from shades of pastel pink to bright pinks - imagine those luscious colours as they catch the light as the dancer pirouettes - exquisite!
So let's make a stop at a Parisian salon de thé and have a bit of refreshment. Now imagine the tutu as an outfit, not just a part of a costume. The year is 1879! I would be strutting around the streets of Paris with my full-length version of a pink tutu - oh la la! Not in just a regular, pretty way, oh no, we've got to make an impression, so lets say with some tulle, lace, feathers and beads for the grand finale!
For the record, this wouldn't have been so far-fetched even in those times. While it wouldn't have been common to wear the tutu as an everyday outfit - imagine those busy Paris streets with ladies in full bloom-worthy pink tutus – it wasn’t as unthinkable as you might think!
After all, remember how we are in the era of the belle époque! This period of elegant, ornate and refined art and culture did allow some liberties for daring and flamboyant dress, especially for women like myself with a flair for fashion and all things pink! And you’ve seen my Pinterest, we’re not just going for any old pink – oh no! It’s got to be a shockingly delightful pink, the kind of shade that’ll grab the attention.
But it’s time for a new chapter in our history trip, so we’ll leave the delightful sights of Paris for now.
The evolution of the tutu is so captivating and beautiful. As a ballerina and fashion-loving time traveller, I’m just in awe of how this simple garment, like a swirling cloud of beauty and grace, can represent so many periods and eras. And to know that the romantic era gave it all those ethereal elements is truly fascinating. Think about the history behind your tutu! The next time you see it twirling around, picture a dancer with a captivating spirit and a stage full of history, colour and life.
Until next time, let’s all try and incorporate just a little pink into our daily wardrobe. Think of your tutu as an inspirational source – let it take you back to 1879! Remember – everything in life can be better with a splash of pink!
Until next Tuesday, my little pink fairies, keep swirling!
And don’t forget to follow @PinkTutuEmma on all socials and visit www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest in tutu news.
