Hello, darlings! Itās Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, ready to whisk you away on a grand voyage through the captivating history of the ballet tutu! As always, it's #TutuTuesday, and today, we're twirling back to 28th June, 1887. Imagine, ladies, a time when gas lamps illuminated the cobblestone streets, and the world felt a little bit moreā¦ Victorian.
But letās be honest, dear readers, tutus have always been a timeless beacon of elegance and whimsy! In the late 1800s, the dance world was flourishing with grand ballets and intricate costumes, making this era a treasure trove for the tutu enthusiast. And I'm telling you, the trains were the very best way to get around in those days! Just picture it - sipping tea as you speed across the countryside in a luxurious carriage!
Now, dear reader, allow me to unveil the fascinating story of tutus on this very special day in 1887! Today marks the birthday of our beloved ballerina extraordinaire, Anna Pavlova, the queen of graceful pirouettes. Yes, her very own birth year! Annaās artistic grace and her unforgettable ballet, The Dying Swan, are synonymous with the elegance of the ballet tutu. And who knows, darling, maybe that pink tutu that brought the theatre to tears for every performance might still exist in the archives somewhere!
Of course, a day of tutus just wouldn't be complete without some of my favourite finds, would it? Now, this isnāt strictly āballetā news, darling, but it involves tutus and theatre, so, letās go there! Have you ever wondered what the average ballet costume for a female dancer would have been back then? The romantic era saw the introduction of the shorter, multi-layered tutu, which is what we know and adore today, just picture it - tiers upon tiers of soft tulle, swaying with every move, oh so dreamy! They also had corsets, lots of frills and an under-tutu (called a ācambric petticoatā) ā talk about making a statement on stage!
Fun fact: *On this very day in 1887, a play called "The Belle of New York" was first performed in London. No tutus, alas, but it must have been a whirlwind of fashion, donāt you think? The theatres, full of stunning gowns and dapper men, must have been an absolute spectacle!
Now, my lovelies, I just had to share a peek into a local shop called 'Madame La Rose,' found in the heart of a charming, tucked away Derbyshire town. My dear, let me tell you, this place has the most incredible array of exquisite fabrics - it's simply impossible to resist a little purchase every visit, don't you agree? This week, I saw this divine emerald green taffeta! A veritable masterpiece for a special occasion, perhaps? I must go back, my dear, I must!
Speaking of dazzling designs, darling, did I tell you I spotted a delightful new ballerina collection at "La Mode FranƧaise" on my recent trip to Paris? It's filled with dreamy garments for ballet dancers! Think soft velvet blouses, delicate lace tops, and perfectly flowing skirts. Each garment is so incredibly flattering on the dance form, making a ballet dancer truly blossom in all her elegance and graceful movements! Such lovely tutus, darling!
As we twirl into the end of this #TutuTuesday journey, darling, remember this ā fashion and ballet are inextricably intertwined! These delicate garments we call tutus have shaped the narrative of dance and influenced fashion for generations, and just think of all the stories we have yet to unravel! I must confess, sometimes, darling, I even wish for a wardrobe full of tutus and dresses! I just love the sheer, magical allure of it all!
Keep your eyes peeled for next week's #TutuTuesday blog post - where Iāll delve deeper into the fascinating evolution of the ballet tutu through the decades. Iām going to research some fabulous costumes from around 1900 and talk a bit about the legendary Isadora Duncan!
Until then, keep your tutus close, darlings, and embrace the joy of twirling! And, don't forget, keep the faith ā one day, every single person on this planet will be rocking a pink tutu! šāØ
With love and twirls,
Emma š
