Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here! 🩰💕 I'm thrilled to be back with you on this fine Tuesday for another peek into the captivating world of the ballet tutu's history! Today we're twirling back to the elegant era of September 13th, 1887!
Can you imagine? The streets of Paris were buzzing with life, filled with the rustle of silk dresses and the clip-clop of horses and carriages. But on this particular date, we're focusing on the exquisite ballet performances! As you know, my darling readers, I'm absolutely obsessed with the theatre! This historical date takes us right to the heart of the ballet scene.
You know what the best part about time travelling is? Well, it's definitely not the weird hairdos from centuries past (although I can't deny there are some rather interesting hats from this era that we might find inspiration in, hm?). It's definitely not the questionable hygiene practices, which we'll kindly gloss over for this post. No, what truly excites me is experiencing the extraordinary theatre and ballet scenes of bygone eras. The opulence, the spectacle, and, of course, the gorgeous tutus - just the thought sends a delightful shiver down my spine!
The 1880s and the Tutus!
This is an era of exquisite ballet tutus. Gone are the days of the bulky, frilled romantic era. We're entering the era of the more sculpted and streamlined tutu, perfectly reflecting the movements of the time. These tutus were much more precise and, shall we say, “leggy”! Imagine billowing lengths of silk and satin, strategically crafted to create beautiful movement. And what a spectacle these tutus would have been!
For instance, let's have a look at the Paris Opera! On September 13th, 1887, you could have found yourself amidst a production of "La Bayadère", choreographed by the incredible Marius Petipa, an absolute maestro of the art form. You know I’m absolutely obsessed with Marius Petipa. His genius created so many of the classics that we love today. Imagine a spectacle of colour, beautiful melodies, and elegant tutus, taking us on a whirlwind of dance and storytelling. Absolutely exquisite!
Shopping and Fashion
Naturally, we couldn't leave without a nod to the glamorous world of Parisian fashion! Paris is the epicentre of elegance and style. The 1880s was all about refinement. You might imagine beautiful ladies in elegant, corseted gowns with cascading ribbons and shimmering fabrics. As a ballerina who's absolutely mad for shopping and fashion, my eyes would have been gleaming with inspiration. What a fashion bonanza! Imagine yourself strolling down the grand boulevards of Paris, window shopping and perhaps even treating yourself to a beautiful, handcrafted fabric that could become a magnificent tutu - just a little bit of shopping therapy to ease my love for exquisite textiles!
Pink and Tutu - My Obsession
My friends, we've arrived at the heart of my very being - the tutu. I can't tell you enough how much I love these wonderful creations. As you may know, my favourite colour is, well, it goes without saying, pink! It's such a feminine, elegant colour, and I find myself yearning for all shades, from pale blush pink to vibrant hot pink. It truly speaks to the ballerina in my soul. When I see a tutu in shades of pink, my heart beats faster - it's simply sublime. I must say, it breaks my heart to think that pink was perhaps considered less appropriate for "real" ballet performances at this time, but don't worry, darling readers, I am single-handedly working to rectify this! I plan to fill the world with pink tutus, one at a time. My dream? To make it the quintessential colour for any ballerina. So come on, world! Join me in my tutu-tastic vision. Let’s embrace the beauty of pink!
A Little Trip Back in Time!
My travel this week was such a beautiful experience. I embarked on the glorious Great Western Railway, that is my favourite for the beautiful architecture of the stations! It really took me back to the golden age of travel! The carriage, filled with fellow travellers all chatting away - and some delightful ladies wearing bonnets and some wonderful long coats. So many inspiring outfits to add to my scrapbook! It makes my journey so exciting!
TutuTuesday and You
Remember, darlings, you can follow my weekly journey through ballet history with my #TutuTuesday blog posts on www.pink-tutu.com! And, please do share your thoughts, comments, and photos using the hashtag #TutuTuesday, and let's celebrate the amazing world of ballet and tutus! I just love connecting with my lovely, tutu-loving audience, and I always appreciate your positive vibes! So let's get that beautiful ballet magic going! 💕
See you next week!
With twirls and twirls of pink tulle,
Emma
Don’t forget to follow me on all social media: @pinktutu.
(Photo caption: Emma posing on a railway platform with a pink tutu under a grand railway archway.)
