Greetings, dear tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind adventure in time, and today, we're waltzing our way through the enchanting era of 1888. I must tell you, my dears, I am completely in love with the tutus of this period - a symphony of tulle and romance, all perfectly fitted and adorned with the most exquisite details.
Today, I've arrived at the Grand Palais in Paris. Ah, Paris! Always a paradise for tutus, a place where the most talented dancers grace the stage and the newest fashion trends take flight. On this specific Tuesday in February, I found myself on the front row for a ballet production, the very first performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty." Can you believe it, darling? It was absolute perfection. I must admit, the music stole my heart, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the delicate tutus of the ballerinas, perfectly spun from silk and embroidered with an ethereal touch of elegance.
Imagine a soft blush of pink tulle, layers upon layers of fabric gently rippling with every graceful step. Imagine glittering diamantes sewn in whimsical patterns across the skirt. Imagine a dainty satin bodice delicately fitting every curve of the dancer's figure. Now imagine it all twirling in perfect harmony with the sweeping music and the stunning set design - heavenly!
A History Lesson in Tutuland
Now, let's rewind the clock a bit and chat about the evolution of this beautiful, graceful garment. We're travelling back further than even my latest time machine could reach! You might be surprised, my loves, to discover that tutus, as we know them, have actually existed for centuries, evolving over time with the style of dance and the advancements in fabric production.
But 1888, dear readers, was a crucial moment in ballet's evolution and, therefore, in tutu design. That year marked the advent of the Romantic Tutu which was truly revolutionary! Remember those tight-fitting bodices with barely any fabric in the skirt? Poof! In walked the Romantic tutu, a voluminous skirt filled with layers and layers of tulle!
Think cascading waves of fabric, just like a soft cloud embracing a ballerina’s body, designed to emphasize her elegance and create stunning, ethereal swirls. Oh, and speaking of those swirly skirt patterns... The Romantic tutu was also credited for introducing the use of the iconic pas de basque, a step where the ballerina would literally kick the fabric outwards to create that incredible circular form - the perfect showcase of the tutu's inherent drama!
And as we moved further into the 19th Century, those romantic layers of tulle became synonymous with ballet. The Romantic era in ballet, around this time, was truly the "Tutu Era" of classical ballet. Can you picture a ballerina, soaring across the stage in her voluminous tulle tutu? It's truly breathtaking!
A Love Letter to Pink
It seems even back then, my dears, everyone loved a good bit of pink! While the pale pinks and blush shades were a major colour choice for Romantic ballet tutus in the late 19th century, it was the Victorian era that took things up a notch, literally flooding fashion, decor and theatre sets with the colour pink. Pink meant love, it meant romanticism, it meant life! Just look at all the porcelain dolls that flooded shops in this time, dressed in glorious shades of pink from head to toe. And ballet? Oh my! The ballet scene just seemed to shimmer in the glow of those pale pink tulle gowns - truly, it was a period of utter magnificence!
A Dance-Filled Future
But hey, my loves, the ballet tutu hasn't finished evolving just yet! Fast forward a few decades, and we have the introduction of the tutu pancake (yes, you read that right!), where we see a completely different approach to tutu design - think flat and tight! And that brings us right back to the modern day, with even more modern and daring variations to the traditional tutu design. It is simply a never-ending evolution of elegance and grace!
Don't be afraid to embrace your inner ballerina, no matter your size, shape, or even style! If you like a touch of vintage glam, go for a classic Romantic Tutu, adorned with feathers and sequins! Love something simple and modern? Then maybe a sleek, single-layered, and very much 'on trend' tutu is your perfect match!
Remember my dearest, the most important thing is that your heart soars with joy every time you see or wear a tutu, that you let your imagination take flight. It’s a timeless reminder that even in the face of challenges, grace and beauty can be found in every step!
And my friends, as always, let us not forget about our love for pink! What are you waiting for? Embrace the glorious shade that reminds us of hope, sweetness and femininity. Make every day a #TutuTuesday!
Till next week, keep twirling, keep shining and keep dreaming,
Love,
Emma xo
