Hello my lovely Tutu-lovers! 🎀💖 It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-traveling ballet aficionado! Welcome to my blog, where we explore the captivating history of the tutu, one feather boa and sparkly diamanté at a time! This week, we're hopping on the steam train (fancying a first-class carriage, naturally!) and zipping back to 17th April, 1883. 🚂
Before we get to the juicy details of tutus in this time period, let me just tell you, darling, that this was an absolutely fabulous time to be a woman in fashion. There was such a glorious explosion of colours, patterns, and lavish designs - we’re talking layers upon layers of lace, decadent satin, and plumes of feathers. Simply divine! And guess what, dear readers? You’re about to get a real glimpse of how the tutu fits into this captivating world of fashion!
This time, we’re heading to Paris. I just adore Paris! The cobbled streets, the charming cafés, and oh, the boutiques! They're just bursting with the most exquisitely designed dresses. I particularly love how Paris embraced the ballet. Ballet shows were all the rage! And who wouldn't be swept away by the magic of those graceful dancers on stage? I just adore those little wispy tutus. It's truly mesmerizing!
Now, I'll admit that in 1883, the tutu, my dearest love, hadn’t yet become the billowing, floaty vision we know and adore today. The ballerinas of this era danced in what were essentially ‘tutu-ettes’. They were still quite long, a bit like those fancy layered petticoats that are all the rage in Victorian England. Think delicate layers of tulle and soft chiffon, swirling around the dancers as they twirl and leap! Oh, I can just imagine myself in one of those fabulous garments, flitting about the stage like a delicate butterfly! 🦋
What were the dancers wearing on this spectacular day? It's always fascinating to see what caught the public's eye. There was a beautiful production of ‘Le Roi s’Amuse’ at the Opéra Garnier, starring the incredible dancer Marie Taglioni. Now, she's not only known for her elegant dancing but for her gorgeous fashion choices! I’ve heard tell of an absolutely sensational costume worn for one scene: a magnificent shimmering white tunic, almost like a mini dress, flowing gracefully down to her knees. 👗 This little gem, adorned with sparkling gemstones, really epitomised the ethereal grace of ballerinas at that time. It was simple but truly stunning, my darlings!
Oh, but this period in time isn’t just about tutus and ballet performances. In fact, there was some fascinating fashion news that captured the attention of society that week. Imagine my delight when I discovered this fabulous news! The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the SPCA, put forth a petition urging women to stop wearing birds of paradise in their hats. Can you imagine, my dear readers? It’s all very glamorous, I admit, but the poor birds of paradise were often killed and stuffed, simply for their colourful plumes! Just horrifying! Well, I’m happy to say, they put a stop to that madness. Thankfully, people began to see the beauty of the natural world, rather than having it brutally harvested! So good on the SPCA! 🕊️
As the sun begins to set, and the streetlamps start twinkling across the cobbled Parisian streets, I find myself wondering, “what would fashion have in store for me in this glamorous time?” It’s no wonder we all dream about time travelling. But for me, even more fascinating is the journey that brought us to this extraordinary point in time, to a world where a ballerina’s graceful movement, expressed in a delicate, shimmering, tutu-esque garment, stole hearts all over the world.
This time travel may just be my little secret for now, but you can bet that the pink tutu has arrived and is already creating a fashion revolution across the ages. Now, dear readers, don't forget, share your #TutuTuesday thoughts! And who knows, you just might be a bit more inspired to put on a tutu yourself! ✨ 💖
Until next week, when we’ll delve deeper into the ever-fascinating history of the tutu!
Emma x
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