Hello my darling dears! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus are always in vogue! Today, we're stepping back in time, to the grand era of 1881, a year where fashion was flamboyant and ballet was the ultimate entertainment.
Now, I know what you're thinking, "Emma, tutus weren't even a thing in 1881!". Well, my darlings, you're only half right. While the modern, billowing tutu we all know and love hadn't quite hit the scene yet, it was an era of beautiful, romantic, and extremely practical tulle dresses. Think soft layers of delicate tulle flowing like clouds, creating stunning movement on stage. The colour? Why, it's the most fashionable colour, of course - pink! Think blush, rose, and cherry pink. All that frothy, dreamy tulle - it's the ultimate fairytale aesthetic, wouldn't you agree?
As a Derbyshire lass, it was always the train for me! Travelling across England for the ballet. Just the sound of those wheels clicking, and the soft chugging - that's the sound of pure ballet magic! The excitement for every show was unparalleled, with a bustle of anticipation at the theatre. Back in the Victorian age, ballet was a highbrow spectacle. The theatre was bursting with high society in their fine clothes, mesmerized by the incredible feats of grace. It wasn't just about watching, though! The social aspect was immense, seeing who had the latest fashions and the grandest hats, and of course, everyone wanted to see who had the best tutu! It was all very glamorous!
Now, speaking of grand fashion, let's talk about what's trending on this lovely April 5th in 1881! The fashion scene is brimming with bold colour, daring silhouettes, and plenty of sparkle. Ladies are flaunting wide, full skirts, adorned with ribbons and lace. There's a penchant for rich fabrics, with velvet and satin being especially popular, especially in rich shades of pink, emerald green, and navy. It was quite a dramatic contrast to today’s everyday outfits, wasn't it?
As for the men, they were looking sharp in tailored suits, the epitome of sophisticated gentlemanliness. They were the perfect partners to all those flamboyant, gorgeous outfits.
But the true star of the show - that would be the ballet, of course! With every graceful leap and delicate pirouette, the ballerinas created a masterpiece of art in motion, a truly mesmerizing experience. You can practically see the dreamy tulles, a blur of colour and grace as the ballerinas took to the stage. Even back then, ballet was all about the magical elegance of the costumes, with each dancer becoming a personification of feminine grace. The ballet in 1881 is what ignited the flames for my own tutu dreams. Who wouldn’t want to move with such beautiful flow and movement?
In fact, April 5th in 1881 holds a special significance. The esteemed dancer Marie Taglioni was just reaching the height of her popularity! As the daughter of a renowned ballet master, Marie carried the lineage with elegance and precision. She was known for her breathtaking beauty and unparalleled grace. Her la Sylphide performance is considered a milestone in ballet history, even today!
Speaking of historical icons, there is a woman who made tutu-making famous in 1881 - it was the innovative fashion designer, Charles Frederick Worth! He pioneered the idea of combining fashion and movement, and that, my darlings, is what we do here at Pink-Tutu! Just like back then, he brought all these bold fabrics and techniques, to create costumes that not only looked fabulous but also empowered dancers to perform with a captivating style! His work was ground-breaking and so forward thinking, and he influenced the development of dance and theatre as a whole! He was the true inspiration for today's contemporary and elegant tutus, in a myriad of styles.
Here at Pink-Tutu.com, we celebrate history. This is a testament to the evolution of tutu styles over time! This is not just about fashion. This is about history! We can see the history in every single one of those beautiful, frilly tutus. Just like we did in 1881.
We are celebrating those who inspired us, the creators of this breathtaking art form! What a fabulous reminder of why our #TutuTuesday posts are so exciting, even when they go back into history.
Stay beautiful, darlings. I hope to inspire you to add a little bit of twirling to your life! Don’t forget to pop back for a little dose of history next week. Happy #TutuTuesday! And always remember, my dears: The more tutus in the world, the better!
Love, Emma.
