Hello my darling tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time, this time landing right in the heart of Paris on the 22nd May 1888, and guess what? We're going to be diving into some sparkly history!
For my lovely readers, remember, I'm here to make ballet history fun and fabulous, and today is #TutuTuesday, where we uncover the origins and evolution of the beloved tutu, that oh-so-feminine, graceful piece of balletwear.
So buckle up, darlings, as we step back in time with yours truly, in my fuschia pink tutu, all ready to soak in the magic of a bygone era!
Now, as I mentioned, we’re in Paris – the centre of the dance world back in 1888. Imagine the scent of lilacs in the air as we waltz down the boulevards, our tutus swirling in the breeze.
This year, however, something special was happening in the ballet world!
We were graced by the breathtaking talent of the young Anna Pavlova, the darling of the Russian Ballet who was beginning to make waves in Paris! Can you imagine seeing her graceful, elegant movements in that signature tutu (one of those glorious tulle creations we all adore)! Imagine her spinning across the stage, creating a symphony of movement and beauty, leaving every audience member enchanted and captivated.
This is the period when tutus were really coming into their own! Gone were the heavy, floor-length skirts, making way for the ethereal, whimsical, creations we adore today.
They were not only beautiful, but they allowed dancers like Anna Pavlova, with her phenomenal grace and control, to soar across the stage like a graceful bird.
Remember my darlings, I love a little bit of fun fact history, so let me share a little bit of gossip…
Apparently, the tutus worn by the ballerinas back then were absolutely stunning, but they were far from the comfortable creations you and I are so accustomed to wearing!
Imagine! They were often made of heavy materials such as silk and taffeta, sometimes layered with multiple pieces of tulle, resulting in incredibly long, sweeping skirts. Talk about hot! Just think about how heavy those beauties would have felt during a full-fledged pirouette!
It's amazing how ballerinas from that era had such incredible strength, stamina, and control, but I suspect their stylish but demanding attire helped give them even greater motivation to become the ultimate ballerinas!
The evolution of the tutu wasn't always an elegant and graceful dance – but that's just a tiny part of the beautiful and fascinating story of the ballet tutu!
Next Tuesday, we’re off again. And who knows what stunning tutu stories we will discover in the annals of time! Until then, remember to dance to your own rhythm, and to always stay true to the beauty of movement. Remember – life's a dance, so embrace it!
Lots of love, and lots of pink,
Emma
xx
www.pink-tutu.com
