Greetings, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, back with another installment of my #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History blog! This week, we're taking a trip on the Orient Express, travelling all the way back to April 24th, 1888! Imagine, a world where gaslights shimmer and carriages clatter over cobblestone streets... so romantic!
Today we're taking a closer look at the ballet world in that bygone era!
As I sip my tea - a nice Earl Grey with a touch of lavender honey - I'm imagining the beautiful theaters, filled with glittering gaslight and elegant ladies in elaborate gowns. You can't talk about the Belle Epoque without discussing the elegance of the era, and oh, the costumes! We've been watching the graceful dancers of the day, adorned with beautiful tulle and silk - yes, tutus are already becoming en vogue.
The Grand Opera House is bustling, my dears! This glorious venue, on a bustling square in Paris, has been a stage for some of the most iconic performances, with performances showcasing exquisite Tchaikovsky compositions - we saw Swan Lake last week, just divine!
Speaking of our dear Tchaikovsky, today is a significant day, my darling readers! Today marks the composer's 50th birthday. Can you imagine? The sheer talent, the emotions captured in every single note. His music makes us soar like the ballerinas who grace the stage in the most glorious of tutus, yes, it truly captures the beauty and passion of our beloved art.
The ballet world is buzzing today with the celebratory excitement, not just of the anniversary, but the premiere of a brand-new Don Quixote ballet, by the wonderful choreographer Marius Petipa, at the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre, the glorious grand house of ballet in Moscow! Can you imagine? This, my darlings, is where tutus are born! I hear they are all over this magical spectacle - pink tutus, yellow tutus, even green ones.
Speaking of pink, the colour of the century for us, did you know that even back in 1888, pink tutus were already gracing the stage, in London at the Royal Opera House? I even saw a performance where the prima ballerina wore a bright pink tutu and pink shoes, she was breathtaking. What's even better, it seems to be the favoured shade for our new tutus too. Such lovely news for this #PinkTutuEnthusiast!
The most exquisite detail for the tutus was their construction with multiple layers of softest tulle, so carefully constructed by those incredibly skilled costumers! I must say, seeing a beautiful tutu float around a ballerina is such a mesmerizing experience! It takes such artistry, skill and care to create such a work of art!
Now, my dear friends, let's talk a bit about the fashion in 1888. A whole other level of glamor! Corsets and crinolines define the elegant silhouette. Lace and frills, beautiful fabrics of silk, satin, velvet... we love to see the vibrant colors - reds, blues, emeralds and that luscious pink! Imagine all the beautiful colours dancing on the stage! So wonderfully vibrant!
As a young, fashionable woman living in London at the end of the 19th century, we love shopping for all the wonderful dresses, hats, parasols, gloves, shoes… it is no wonder we look so stunning. It takes so much time and planning, my darlings, but it is so rewarding to feel confident in our outfits!
My dear readers, the next time you watch a ballet, especially the tutus, please consider the dedication of these dancers and artists, the beauty of this art and, perhaps, try adding a little more pink to your world! Maybe even a pink tutu? Think how much more fabulous you could feel...
Until next time,
Your Tutu-Loving Blogger,
Emma
P.S. You can visit www.pink-tutu.com for the most gorgeous collection of pink tutus.
