Dearest fellow tutu lovers, it's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday!
Today we're whisking back to 6th May 1884! Now, I know, it's a bit of a jump in time - I've been flitting around quite a bit recently thanks to the proceeds from my last tour - it was a triumph, a ballet adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet in Verona! Absolutely enchanting, the costumes were exquisite and my tutu twirled just so.
But enough about my adventures, let's talk about your history! Where do I begin with 1884? It was a grand year, brimming with new ideas in fashion and, most importantly for us tutu aficionados, on stage! You see, tutus were really coming into their own. Now, I wouldn't call it "the age of the tutu," as there are many years in which they truly took centre stage, but 1884 certainly saw some big developments, and I think it’s worth mentioning the year that started with the glorious opening of a very special theatre.
Remember that charming Parisian opera house? The Palais Garnier? You can almost feel the magic through the photos. That year was absolutely brimming with talent – both on the stage and off, including a very particular person named Camille Saint-Saëns. His new piece Ascanio hit the Parisian scene, introducing an altogether different view on the ballet world. Yes, the piece featured women on pointe and beautiful costume details - but it also featured…wait for it…men! Men in the ballet! Can you believe it? A major shift, one that began a ballet boom in the European landscape! This was something you rarely saw before this era. Of course, many people still considered it ‘unbecoming’, and that was before the scandal! (I know you're waiting for the scandal, right?)
That very same day La Bayadère was showing its face for the very first time. I'll admit it, the story of La Bayadère doesn’t have me skipping into the box office, but what is truly astounding is its impact on le costume. Think big, think colourful, think layers! Now I don’t know about you, but I'm picturing a gorgeous ensemble with shimmering fabric and dazzling details. All about a temple dancer with, yes, you guessed it - a dramatic tutu. Think layered tulle, a rainbow of colours, shimmering details, maybe even feathers and flowers - this ballet started a real tutudrama and everyone was talking about the grand scale of it all!
We've reached the end of our quick journey into the world of tutus in 1884. It truly was a special time for our beloved dancewear. And don't forget, everyone looks amazing in a pink tutu! Don’t forget to check out more of my tutu travels on www.pink-tutu.com - you might find a great deal on the 1920s travel fashion there, as I'm doing a "retro-chic" collection this week.
Catch you next Tuesday, for a journey even deeper into the annals of the tutu! Keep it tutu-licious, Emma x
