Welcome back, dears, to another edition of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of ballet tutu history! It's me, Emma, your time-traveling tutu enthusiast, broadcasting from my very own, very pink, blog headquarters, www.pink-tutu.com. I'm on a mission to spread the joy of the tutu - and I must say, my darling readers, we're making excellent progress! 😉
This week, I've shimmied my way back to August 2nd, 1887. The air is filled with the soft whisper of horse-drawn carriages and the melodic chirping of street organ tunes. It's an era of grandeur, ladies and gentlemen, where the romance of ballet was truly blooming, like a ballerina rose in full bloom! 🌸
Oh, darling, the Romantic Era of ballet was a period of such exquisite beauty and grace. Think flowing, layered tutus with billowing chiffon, swirling, expressive movements, and captivating dramatic stories that filled us all with wonder and emotion! You can imagine the gasps of awe from the audience as they witness such breathtaking displays! ✨
But before we dive into the tutu details of 1887, a quick catch-up on me! Remember my last post? (That's post #2900, for the archives!) We were in Paris, swooning over the delicate tulle designs at a couture house, wasn't it heavenly? Now, however, I'm making my way to London. The trains here are remarkably swift, and the bustle of this city is simply electrifying! (The carriages and streets aren't quite as wide, though! Be careful of your toes, dears!) The highlight of my trip so far? The London Opera House! I mean, the name alone screams romance, right? They're currently featuring a production of "Giselle". Oh my, such a heart-wrenching tragedy, but absolutely stunning choreography! I shall make it my mission to see "Giselle" on every time travel trip, it's simply that magnificent! It just so happens, I also picked up a gorgeous blush pink tulle shawl at a delightful little boutique on my way to the theater - how terribly timely for the season! ✨
Speaking of season, 1887, oh it was a magnificent time for ballet tutus, ladies! Think wispy chiffon skirts layered in layers upon layers of gossamer netting - truly the picture of airy, dreamy grace! You could easily twirl in this beauty, and I daresay, you might just float away! 😍
Now, you'll be curious, how did these majestic tutus look like on this very day, August 2nd, 1887? I, for one, can picture ballerinas twirling across the stage in a flurry of delicate ruffles and ribbons! Imagine! It's like being swept up in a fairy tale.
The tutus of this period are definitely not for those afraid of a bit of flouncy, feminine extravagance. But I know my beloved tutu-loving readers, that's not us, is it? We're embracing the dramatic, the delicate, the daring, and above all - the joy of twirling in all our pink-tutu glory!
There were also several variations to be found, depending on the particular dance. You could find short tutus for faster, more energetic numbers, or those gloriously flowing tutus we all covet for the grand adagio sections.
The beautiful tutus, oh my dear readers, made of delicate netting and chiffon, were crafted in vibrant hues that captured the beauty of nature: blushing pinks and soft lavender, shimmering gold and silver, and the always-romantic shades of midnight blue. And, of course, pink. Always pink!
Now, speaking of color - did you know, during this era, ballerinas also wore long, colorful dresses to practice in? We couldn't very well waltz around the studio in a dramatic, layered tulle, could we? I must say, however, I find those practical dresses just a wee bit bland for my liking. Give me a pink, frilly tulle tutu every day, dear reader! ✨
Another charming fact about the tutus of this time: some ballerinas wore bloomers beneath their tutus for practicality - to be quite honest, it is sensible for all the spinning, leaping and, shall we say, 'spirited movements' of ballet!
Imagine this picture, my dear readers, as you slip into your pink, whimsical tulle tutu this week, you're tapping into centuries of history and a style that has been the inspiration for countless fashion trends throughout the years. The magic of ballet tutus transcends time, and I hope this weekly dose of history makes you all embrace the grace and romance of this era with each twirl. Oh, how lucky we are to be able to wear these lovely beauties in our modern world! 😍
So, go forth, darling readers! Wear your tutus with pride. It's time to show the world how enchanting a tutu can be - no matter what the day is! ✨
Till next time, my dear Tutu-loving souls, remember to share your own tutu adventures with me! You can follow along on all my Pink Tutu adventures at www.pink-tutu.com.
See you all on next #TutuTuesday.
All my love and many a pirouette,
Emma,
Your Pink Tutu Enthusiast ✨
