Hello, my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina, Emma, and today's Tutu Tuesday takes us on a whirl through the history of our beloved garment back to August 31st, 1880. Oh, to be waltzing amongst the grand ladies and gentlemen of the era!
Hold onto your tiaras, because we're travelling to Paris, the city of lights, where the world of ballet truly glittered! Back in 1880, the Parisian ballet scene was alive and kicking, quite literally! Can you imagine, dear reader, dancing the night away in a stunning gown, all layers of silk and lace, culminating in the elegant movement of a tutu? The idea makes my heart skip a beat!
This was the time of legendary ballerinas like La Belle Otero and Marie Taglioni, who captivated audiences with their graceful movements and the enchanting spectacle of the tutu. Picture the stage bathed in gaslight, the swirling fabrics catching the flicker of light like tiny stars, the audience holding their breath as the ballerina takes centre stage, adorned in a tutu that seems to dance along with her!
What did these early tutus look like? Well, they weren't the frilly, layered masterpieces of today! Think of a simple, single-layered skirt, gathered and sewn around the waist, maybe with a few strategically placed flounces for added flair.
Speaking of fashion, oh darling, the colours! Lush velvet gowns, silk skirts the colour of sunrise, shimmering fabrics woven with thread of silver and gold, and, of course, the ubiquitous pastel hues. But my absolute favourite? The romantic pink, naturally!
This period was also marked by the rise of the "Romantic tutu," a single layer of fabric, allowing for greater freedom of movement, bringing the grace and elegance of ballet to the forefront. A beautiful evolution in the world of the tutu!
Now, what was happening in 1880? Well, apart from the incredible spectacle of ballet, a few interesting things occurred:
The first Wimbledon Championships were held. Imagine the excitement of the crowds watching tennis!
In Paris, the city of our trip today, they were showcasing a dazzling new technological feat: the Eiffel Tower, still under construction! It must have been an absolute marvel.
The famous British artist William Morris opened the Kelmscott Press. A truly artistic achievement.
All in all, it was a fascinating period for art, innovation and...ballet, of course!
I must admit, travelling back in time to see these ballet performances is simply breathtaking! To feel the magic of a packed theatre, to witness the grace of the dancers, to catch the soft, romantic music of a beautiful waltz...oh, it's a privilege!
However, there's something wonderfully empowering about knowing how much the world of the tutu has evolved since then. From those simple beginnings to the multi-layered, expressive marvels of today, we've come so far, but our love for the tutu remains unchanged!
As I sip my pink lemonade and look back on our tutu journey, I'm already thinking about next week's Tutu Tuesday. Where in history will we go next? Who knows? The world is our oyster, and with each journey, we uncover new stories of fashion, dance and history!
Don't forget, my dear readers, life is short, but a tutu can make it oh so much more stylish! Until next time, keep twirling!
Your friend and fellow tutu enthusiast,
Emma 💖
