Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! It's Tuesday, and you know what that means - a brand new Tutu Tuesday journey into the fascinating history of tutus!
This week, we're hopping on a steam train (imagine, no flying cars for us!) and journeying back to a glorious time, 3rd April 1888! Oh, the excitement!
Now, darling, picture this: London, a bustling metropolis teeming with grand ballrooms, where gentlemen in top hats and ladies with bustles sashay through the evening. We're not in Kansas anymore (though, Dorothy's red shoes might be the very inspiration for some of the bright, poppy coloured dance shoes that we'll discover!). But hold onto your corsets, ladies, because in 1888, the world of ballet was about to get a whole lot more… tutu exciting!
You see, back in this glorious era, the tutu as we know it – that delicate, flowing piece of costume that lets a ballerina flit across the stage with such graceful elegance – well, it wasn't quite there yet!
Imagine, darling! Back then, it was a more ample garment. Think flowing layers, layers of tulle and silk that were quite voluminous, like the swirls of a whipped cream frosting on a delicious strawberry tart! It gave those beautiful dancers on stage an air of such stately grandeur – like they were floating on clouds! Oh, but wouldn't you just love to give a good spin and watch all those lovely layers swirl and dance around you? (Just picture yourself doing this on stage! Wouldn’t it be glorious?)
The "tutu," my dears, is derived from a French word for "tulle" – the fine, netting material it was crafted from, which gave it a light, airy feeling. (If you haven't felt tulle on your skin, oh my darling, you just must feel it! You’ll want to twirl like a princess with it on!). In 1888, the tutus were more than just fabric – they were an ode to artistry!
Now, the big story in 1888? It's the London Ballet! I do adore a good ballet performance, and let me tell you, my dears, this was one of the most acclaimed companies at the time, showcasing truly breathtaking performances and bringing together an incredibly talented group of dancers, each with their own unique flair and artistry. Imagine seeing dancers gracefully move, seemingly defying gravity! It truly was captivating.
While I might have adored London in 1888, you know me and my penchant for Paris, darling! Just a quick hop across the Channel, you see, where the ballerinas there wore their tutus just a little bit shorter, and with a hint more sass. They embraced those graceful movements and showcased that incredible Parisian confidence and sophistication, oh, so gracefully!
Oh, and speaking of grace! Have you seen those breathtaking ballerinas at the Paris Opera Ballet? Absolutely stunning, they are! These ladies are dancing up a storm – showcasing their talents, moving like waves on the ocean, graceful and poised with every twirl and step, and captivating their audience. And guess what? Those fabulous Parisiennes? They absolutely love a pink tutu! Just a few of them - and oh darling! It’s so lovely, you must try it! Imagine yourself in a pink tutu, shimmering like a pink rose. Just divine!
But it's not just the grand stage that brings our tutu history to life. We’ve also got ballet classes that have started cropping up everywhere in the UK, right across the nation, from our fair Derbyshire (hello fellow county folk!) to even beyond the River Thames in London itself! I imagine our lovely dancers practicing with passion and diligence – each twirl a story, every step a graceful expression! I must get a new pink tutu for class, I think...
Here's a secret, darling. One of my very favorite things to do while travelling through time? Why, it’s definitely ballet shoe shopping! You can always spot the local dance shop (it's practically in every village or town!) – just by the delicious, floral scent of the dance wear, the thump-thump of happy ballet feet, and the sounds of cha-cha-cha, and pah-de-deux. Just heavenly!
I even love visiting the beautiful, grand fabric shops. Tulle! Satin! Silk! And oh, the ribbons! The most delightful shades of pinks and creams and even lavender – what lovely shades these colours hold, don't you agree? (The French just love them!). They inspire me, these fabrics, reminding me that dance and fashion, darling, are intertwined! One flows from the other - and wouldn’t the world be such a boring place if we didn’t have the chance to watch all these lovely ladies twirling away, showing off their outfits with their beautiful grace.
You can see my favourite ballet tutus on the "Shop My Look" page on the website, darling. They're all pink, naturally! Now you can take a look! Come and be inspired!
I can’t wait for our next Tutu Tuesday trip! And don’t forget to follow my journey through my “Ballet History” series. Next week, we’re taking a little detour to the gorgeous city of Vienna. I hear they're dancing the night away, darling. I think I'm going to love it. It's going to be amazing!
Until next time, wear pink, keep twirling, and remember - a tutu is not just a costume; it's a symbol of passion, beauty, and dreams!
Yours truly,
Emma 💖
www.pink-tutu.com
