Hello my darling dears!
It's me, Emma, your favourite tutu-touting time-travelling fashionista, bringing you another scintillating dose of Ballet Tutu History, just in time for your Tuesday treat. This week, we're whisking ourselves back to 26th June 1888!
I have to admit, this week's historical jaunt took me right to the heart of a fashion-forward metropolis - Paris, no less! Imagine, darling, the streets overflowing with the most exquisite fashions, the air alive with the bustle of the season! Now, while I was busy gawking at the fabulous creations (and yes, I even spotted a couple of pretty pink tutus!) I was on a mission: to uncover the very beginnings of a certain beloved garment.
You see, 1888 was a year that saw a particular Parisian ballet troupe, the Ballet Russe, embrace a bold, groundbreaking move: They traded in their traditional, heavy costumes for something lighter, freer, something that embodied the spirit of their artistry. You guessed it: the tutu!
Oh, how this delightful change transformed the dance world! Gone were the restrictive, cumbersome gowns that impeded the dancers' movements. Now, with each twirl, each pirouette, the tutu danced along with them! It became a symbol of elegance and movement in equal measure, captivating audiences with its air of ethereal grace.
Now, you may be thinking, "Emma, didn't tutus exist before 1888?" You are not wrong, dear readers. There have always been dance costumes, from the billowing skirts of ancient Egypt to the elaborate gowns of the Renaissance. But it was in 1888, right here in Paris, that a change began to take root, a shift in fashion, a reimagining of the dancer's costume that changed the trajectory of ballet forever!
But what else was going on in the world on this specific 26th of June, 1888?
Well, just imagine, darling, Queen Victoria was holding court at Windsor Castle whilst the great Alfred Tennyson was still putting pen to paper, crafting his enchanting verses. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall in that literary salon! Imagine the teacups clinking, the gossip swirling, and the poetic musings on all that was unfolding in the world!
But alas, the allure of ballet was too much to resist! I was off to see a performance, captivated by the artistry on stage and the shimmering tutus, each one a tiny whisper of the revolution brewing in the world of dance.
However, even in 1888, my time travel adventure required funding, my dears. Thus, the star of the show was yours truly, performing a graceful (though, admittedly, rather sweaty) little waltz to secure a spot in a charming little French cafe and enjoy a delicious pot of tea, surrounded by the very essence of Parisian life!
And you know what? Even though I'm from Derbyshire and have always favoured a touch of country charm, Paris had its magic on me too! Perhaps a pink tutu wouldn't go amiss under the Eiffel Tower, after all!
This #TutuTuesday we saw a pivotal point in fashion history - the birth of a beautiful tradition. You know, as I mentioned in a previous blog, it was quite a bit later that the ballerina would find herself twirling in the shorter, layered tulle tutu that we recognise today. This change in style was, and continues to be, a powerful one!
So, keep those pink tutus sparkling and those dancing shoes ready, my dears! See you next Tuesday for another enthralling dive into the world of tutus and history! Remember, everyone looks fabulous in a tutu, don’t you agree?
Till then, embrace your inner ballerina and remember... Life is a beautiful, balletic journey, my darlings!
Yours truly, Emma, the pink-tutu-wearing time-travel ballerina.
P.S. Don't forget to visit our lovely little shop, www.pink-tutu.com , to browse the exquisite tutu collection that awaits! Let's spread the tutu love across the world!
