Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where pink tutus reign supreme! I'm Emma, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, and this is post number 2866 on my ongoing journey to bring the world the joy of pink tutus. This week, we're taking a trip back in time to November 30th, 1886! Buckle up, darlings, because we're going on a whirl through history, and, of course, there will be plenty of tutus along the way!
This week, I hopped onto the train at Derbyshire (I'm still quite partial to my home turf, you know) and travelled first-class (a ballerina needs to stay comfortable, don't you agree?) all the way to Vienna!
It's been a whirlwind week! From catching the latest performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Vienna State Opera (absolutely divine! Those tutus were practically shimmering with fairy dust, truly magical!) to trawling the boutiqued-lined streets of Vienna for the latest fashion trends (oh, the glorious abundance of silk and lace!) I have had a splendid time!
Of course, being a bit of a history buff, my attention was immediately drawn to the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, as this month marks the 10th anniversary of its opening in 1875! What a stunning creation, don't you think? Its gilded magnificence, its dazzling chandelier (that unfortunately went down in flames a few years ago) its grand staircase and elegant salons… Truly, it was a vision in white and gold! The sheer opulence of the place just made me want to twirl and dance right through the main entrance!
You might be wondering why all the focus on opera houses today? Well, my dears, they are, you see, absolutely inseparable from the evolution of the ballet tutu! It was in these majestic venues that ballerinas, both gracefully floating and gracefully leaping, first debuted the now iconic tutu design - the short, multilayered, romantic, frilly tutu! Imagine my delight at seeing those elegant dancers in their white tutus! Truly a spectacle to behold!
But, dear readers, our tutu story is one of transformation, one of continuous refinement, and it's important to understand its roots.
Before the tutus of the Paris Opera, ballerinas danced in full-length skirts, the more voluminous the better, as if competing to see who could drape their bodies with the largest quantity of silk. This, of course, created a barrier to the free and graceful movement that ballerinas today take for granted! Thankfully, fashion – and with it, our perception of beauty – was beginning to change, a gradual movement that favoured shorter hemlines, looser silhouettes, and a greater focus on the graceful, athletic bodies of the female form.
Imagine my delight! Those revolutionary thinkers and artists of the 19th century, like Carlotta Grisi, were the trailblazers! Their efforts paved the way for the birth of the classic tutu we see on stages across the globe. They paved the way for my own passion, for this blog, for all you tutophiles out there!
I know what you're thinking, dear reader, a full-length skirt does make for quite a dramatic flourish! Imagine twirling those grand fabric billows! I think this trend is actually set to return to stages as "Grands Jupes," or what they now call "historical tutus." But this is a discussion for another blog post, darling, let's focus on those romantic tutus of 1886!
While it might be tempting to picture those Parisian ballet stars sporting only soft, fluffy white tulle tutus, remember, darling, colour, dear readers, is a story in itself! While white tutus, for their elegant and airy quality, were indeed the main focus of this era, the evolution of colour and its role in portraying various characters, adding visual storytelling to the art of ballet, was rapidly growing.
So, my lovelies, I encourage you to wear pink tutus! After all, we are at the cusp of a fabulous, colourful tutu revolution.
For next week's post, I'll be venturing into the grand halls of St. Petersburg. There is so much more to learn about the evolution of the tutu and its intricate connection to the history of ballet! Stay tuned, darlings, as I keep sharing this delightful story!
Until then, go forth and twirl! Don't forget to wear your pink tutu and share your ballet photos with me on social media with #pinktutu.
Ciao, my lovelies!
Emma xo
www.pink-tutu.com
