Hiya lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another dive into the fabulous world of ballet tutus.
Today's date? January 22nd, 1884. Don't worry, darling, I'm not going all dusty on you! It's the perfect opportunity to peek into the Victorian Era, when tutus were undergoing a bit of a fashion metamorphosis. Remember those long, flowing skirts? The ones that would make even the most accomplished dancer trip and tangle their legs? Well, our little tutu friends were slowly stepping onto the scene, shedding some of their heavy layers, but not before adding some serious drama and flair!
Now, this wasn't just about looking pretty, oh no! As I always say, darling, fashion is about movement, it's about telling a story! And the tutus of the Victorian Era were getting pretty darn good at both. This was a time when dancers like Anna Pavlova were electrifying audiences with their leaps and spins, and the tutus needed to keep up.
Imagine me, stepping onto the grand, oak-floored stage in the grand Paris Opera House, ready for a rehearsal! We're talking delicate silk layers, intricately sewn with lace and beads – imagine the exquisite embroidery work, it was almost as impressive as the grand architecture around us! We also see a bit more of those lovely leg-revealing lengths that were becoming so fashionable! It was all about making that graceful, airy form visible, just perfect for those soaring arabesques, right?
Speaking of Paris, darling! That's where we need to be, wouldn't you say? The very centre of it all! I popped in last night to see the legendary La Belle Époque – I tell you, the fashion was as bold and colourful as the theatrical spectacle on stage! Did you know that in this era, the most prized colours were pastels and a lot of lovely pale pink? It was absolutely the most chic! It just shows, doesn't it? How pink tutus were so on point even way back then. And just so you know, that shade of pink that makes hearts flutter in every fashion-forward lady - yes, I'm talking about blush pink, That colour was so popular you could find it everywhere. Even the finest silk fabrics in our tutu workshop!
Speaking of colour, did you know there is a special connection between ballet and colour? Why do you think they wear those shades? I’ll be doing a whole blog post about this next week, but I'm always happiest in a shade of blush pink that I think was born of this incredible connection! That reminds me - did you see that glorious rose blush silk tulle I was admiring yesterday at Madame Dufour's boutique? Just the thing for the next #TutuTuesday blog!
Talking about the colour pink, you must visit that enchanting Parisian bookstore in the Marais, just next to the Rue des Francs-Bourgeois. It's just brimming with beautiful things – delicate porcelain teacups, vintage silk scarves, and don't even get me started on the books, some of the oldest ballet editions I’ve ever laid eyes on! Such a treasure trove for my ballet tutu history studies, darling. And yes, the bookseller - Mr. Dupont - even had a few stunning shades of pink on the shelves. Just like my heart. It's the colour that keeps on giving, wouldn't you agree?
Now, imagine me stepping onto the platform of the Gare de l'Est. It was all elegance and order - that classic French style. I do adore a trip by train! And the ladies, even though some may be still adorned with those elaborate hoopskirts, you just know that some of those ladies must secretly have their eyes on the simple and graceful elegance of a tutu. Don’t you think, darlings?
You know, this whole tutu thing isn't just about history, lovelies, it's about evolution. About finding ways to express yourself. So let your heart go where it wants to go. You want to dance in a pink tutu? Go for it, darling! You want to see a Parisian ballet? Grab your pink beret, a blush silk scarf and a classic trench coat and GO!
Till next week, darlings! May you all wear your hearts on your sleeves, your passions on your soles, and a sprinkle of magic with every twirl!
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Don't forget to use #TutuTuesday to show off your love for all things tutu-related on social media. Share your photos, stories, and anything pink-tastic. We’d love to see them all, my dears. Don't forget to tell me how your #TutuTuesday adventures unfolded, dear ones. I would love to hear all about it!
