Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-traveler, and it’s another glorious #TutuTuesday! 🩰✨
I'm currently twirling my way through the year 1885 in the heart of Paris, where ballet truly thrives, and the tutus are magnificent! Now, darling readers, prepare for a whirlwind journey back in time to explore the beginnings of the tutu's evolution!
Today's date, October 20th, 1885, marks a special occasion! Imagine my delight! It’s the first time the iconic "La Bayadère" ballet, set in ancient India, graced the stage! My dear friends, it’s absolutely bursting with elaborate tutus that would make any ballerina’s heart soar.
Oh, to see those incredible creations with my own eyes! I’ve read about them in old ballet magazines – billowing skirts, adorned with intricate details and a touch of glittering magic! Sadly, I haven’t been able to snag myself a ticket to the show… But you know me! I always manage to find a way to admire the beauty, even if it's only from the street! 🤫
Today's tutu adventure leads us back to the beginning of the romantic period in ballet – imagine graceful fairies, gentle princesses and daring heroines in tutus. Just divine!
At the turn of the 19th century, tutus were often quite elaborate, resembling billowing, wide skirts made of tulle. You can imagine, darling, those elegant dancers swishing across the stage! But in this era, they were designed with a certain kind of grandeur - long, dramatic, and a bit overwhelming for modern ballet performances.
And guess what? My dearest friends, the first romantic tutus were quite long! They flowed over the ankles, giving dancers a truly ethereal, almost ghostly presence! And the colour, darling! Oh, I must tell you, a lot of white tulle in the Victorian era! Imagine a field of wildflowers come to life! 🌾
Oh, how my heart beats with the desire to step into one of those magical tutus myself. But alas! I must remain true to my love of pink – such vibrant joy and playful energy!
Then, fast forward a bit, and the early 19th century brought a bit of a change – shorter, simpler skirts appeared. These graceful little beauties showed off those strong, beautifully toned ballet legs – ah! Such elegance, darling!
However, while the tutus began to get shorter, it still remained rather "bouffant," with quite a bit of material and lots of ruffles. You could say, the ballerina’s movements were quite elegant but still quite... restricted.
A short while later, there came a new revolution in tutu-land! Enter the tutus of the "classic" style. A bit of a move from grand romance to more focused precision and agility, if you will! The skirts got much shorter. Just above the knee for a sleek and athletic look that would become the quintessential image of the modern ballerina!
And with this movement, darlings, the tutu got quite streamlined. No longer a swirling flurry of fabric, it became sleek and simple! The focus shifted to movement – and oh my! You should see these incredible dancers with such exquisite grace. They seemed to float, glide, and leap across the stage! 🩰💫
Now, for today, let's rewind back to our Parisian delight of "La Bayadère." The story unfolds in exotic lands, and it features tutus that showcase the culture. Think intricate patterns, colorful embellishments, and maybe even a dash of the mystical, and perhaps some sequins too! You know I have a penchant for the glittering stuff! 😉
What is happening in the year 1885 on our special #TutuTuesday?
Well, it was a truly fascinating year! In literature, Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the beloved "Treasure Island," published another captivating work "Kidnapped!"
Now, if only they had put "Kidnapped" on stage, think of the fantastic costumes, and who could resist a delightful tutu made with bright paisley?
And who doesn’t love a good classic? Oh, darling, 1885 saw a famous performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, right here in Paris!
Back to our favorite topic – fashion! Imagine ladies wearing fashionable outfits that are still charming even today! What were ladies like in the late 19th Century? Think bustle dresses with ornate fabric textures and elegant hats – perfect for a day of watching a ballet performance, darling!
If you ask me, it sounds like a good way to get a taste of that time. I am certainly dreaming about the possibilities, dear reader, as I daydream about visiting the French countryside – visiting some shops for fashion, ballet studios for lessons and theaters for a wonderful evening at the ballet. Perhaps even find a vintage French tutu to add to my collection.
My tutu-loving dears! It's been an absolute delight to share my time-travel adventures with you! Let's embrace our inner ballerina spirit with a pink tutu. Let the twirls, the leaps, and the pure joy of ballet lift your spirits today and every day!
Remember, darling, stay chic and never stop twirling! And until next #TutuTuesday, I leave you with a sprinkle of pink pixie dust! ✨
Your dear time-traveling tutu friend, Emma 🩰💕
P.S. You can see more photos and vintage tutus at www.pink-tutu.com - come visit me!
