Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where we're all about celebrating the wonder that is the tutu! I’m Emma, your ever-so-slightly-obsessed-with-tutus-blogger. This week we’re going back in time, ladies, way back, to 1886! Imagine, a whole century and a quarter ago… Can you picture it? No pink tutus for you!
As usual, I packed my bags and hopped onto the railway. I simply adore the train – so much nicer than that dreadful modern-day air travel, don’t you think? But darling, the real adventure begins when you step out onto the platform and see the past come alive before your very eyes. Well, in my case, it was stepping off at Gare Saint Lazare in Paris. It felt so grand – the fashion, the grand architecture, oh the chic!
I had planned my outfit especially for the trip. It is crucial to get the details right, you know? Now, my darlings, I simply adore the 1880s style and was determined to find a fashionable ensemble. Picture this – a magnificent bell-shaped skirt with lovely pleats falling all the way to my ankles, oh, the draping! And my little bolero? So adorable! You would have loved to see how I finished off the look – a crisp white blouse tucked into the skirt and of course, my trusty velvet hat – it makes any outfit more elegant! But my highlight piece of the day – my very pink tutu, in a fetching shade of ‘Pink Paradise’ as we called it back then. It just makes you want to pirouette, right? Well, for you, dear readers, it's almost as if I’m doing it here, just for you! Let’s raise our hands for the Pink Tutu Queen who gave us these wonderful garments… We wouldn’t have them today if it weren’t for her! And don’t you worry, my lovelies, you won’t be seeing that dreadful modern ‘dancer-friendly’ tutu for quite some time on this blog, just imagine the horrors!
Now back to 1886! I had the most wonderful time going through old documents, fashion journals, even popping into the Paris Opera House to get a taste of what the scene was like back in the day. Imagine it, my darlings! Such exquisite music and those stunning ballerina costumes! My heart just swooned! I spent an afternoon going over sketches and photographs of Ballet Russes – did you know that Marie Taglioni created the tutu back in 1832? Well, they said it was more like a tulle skirt than the iconic tutu we see today! The tutu had been on the scene a while before this though, even in 1745 - with an invention made of silk. And the silk tutu is a different style to the ones we know today! Now, it is such a fascinating evolution - wouldn’t you say, darlings?
I simply cannot get enough of how tutus have changed throughout the years. It makes me realise, though, that the modern day tutu has a bit to answer for, but darling, don’t fret because the elegant designs of the 1880s and the sparkling romantic era (my favourite!), are definitely making a comeback…and of course, there will always be room for some new exciting ideas, especially those that include the lovely pink! I simply think pink has an important place in the world, darlings, but I must stop going on, it will be all pink-tutu and no history!
You’re all probably wondering what the highlight of my trip to Paris was, my dear reader. It must have been the wonderful trip to the Parisian Opéra Garnier to watch an evening of ballet - a feast for the eyes indeed, the dancing was breathtaking! Oh, my lovely dancers – what wonderful movements! Imagine this, darlings, a tutu worn to just above the knee. A shorter, tighter tutu - not those modern day horrors! That one! Well, darling, this must have been a pink-tutu fan's dream come true. I think the pink really brought out their movement. There were a few black ones there too - not my cup of tea but very elegant… the ballet was magical, especially in such a wonderful place, oh it made me feel all the drama - that was my real highlight. It gave me a peek into a different time - oh, but that wasn't the only surprise.
One of the Parisian ladies there who did love a bit of pink offered me some truly exquisite and stunning handmade Parisian silk flowers that I wear on my hat! What an honor, I felt so lucky! You can imagine my joy. And, you can see some of the flowers right here in this very blog post! See… fabulous right!
And here we have a very interesting fact for you! Did you know that the name for a ballet dancer’s hairstyle with a long braid on the top of their head called a ‘bun’ is called La Bouffante which means fluffy or puffed-out – I can just imagine those delightful ballerinas walking on air, that makes sense as ‘bun’ was indeed worn ‘bunched-up - not in a bun-like shape as we know it.
The train home was even more fun with all the fashionable ladies who'd also been to see the show - talking, sipping champagne (Oh darling, so lovely and luxurious!) and reminiscing about the stunning tutus we had seen! This is my favourite part, watching fashion become history. Oh, it is so interesting how everything changes! That is the true joy of travelling, darling - you don't see those grand ballrooms full of tutus any more, now we've got 'ball gowns' and less of that gorgeous tutu loveliness! You know, when I return to my time, I’m going to create a dance company with real dancing in full-length tutus - I’ve got the ideas, the passion and of course, the pink tutu, what else could a girl need!
Let me know in the comments what you thought of this week's blog and tell me all about the first tutu you ever wore! Maybe we should all go together next Tuesday for some tutus and champagne, yes? Oh, I am dreaming… but remember darlings, always think Pink Tutu!
Your devoted Pink Tutu Queen, Emma.
