Greetings, darling dears! It's Emma, your pink tutu-clad time-travelling guide to the history of ballet, back for another #TutuTuesday adventure!
Today we're venturing back to the year 1888, and oh my goodness, the fashion scene was just bursting with elegance and refinement! You see, darling, this date is super special in the history of our beloved ballet tutus! You're probably thinking, âBut Emma, tutus have always been around, haven't they?â Well, darling, itâs not as simple as that! Let's take a trip down memory lane and uncover the beginnings of our iconic ballet tutus!
My train journey to the heart of Paris has been just divine this time! The elegant French countryside was painted in hues of gold and crimson as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft, romantic glow over the fields. There's nothing more wonderful than a train journey through Europe, with a cuppa in one hand and my trusty notebook in the other, planning my next tutu shopping spree.
Oh! Speaking of shopping! Imagine my delight at finding a stunning new blush pink tutu at the Maison Blanc - the most prestigious fashion house in Paris! It's a dream, adorned with shimmering sequins and delicate lace. I just couldnât resist adding it to my collection!
This particular tutu will be joining me on a very special occasion⌠You see, tonight, darling dears, I'm venturing to the OpÊra Garnier for an extravagant performance of "La Bayadère"! Oh, how I've been waiting for this moment! It's truly one of the most captivating and awe-inspiring ballets ever written. Imagine a grand story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice, all told through graceful movements and breathtaking music. It's simply poetry in motion!
But back to our journey through the past, darlings⌠The year is 1888. Now, a mere twenty years prior, a revolutionary dance innovation took the world of ballet by storm! You see, before 1868, dancers would have swished about in a hoops skirt, an impressive feat given its large size and multiple layers of silk and gauze. It made for quite a magnificent silhouette, that's for sure, but was cumbersome, to say the least.
Imagine a vision in motion! The ballerinas of the time gracefully pirouetting with only the flow of their silks and their delicate feet providing a glimpse of their movements. I mean, darling, imagine it! You wouldnât be able to see their legs! Can you imagine? The audacity!
Now, 1868 marks a true turning point in the evolution of the ballet costume, a pivotal moment in time, where a revolutionary change in fashion transformed the world of dance! The hoops skirt was cast aside, and dancers donned the first tutus, with a revolutionary new material⌠a light, transparent material, known as tarlatan.
Tarlatan, darlings, was not a luxury material at the time - it was made from cotton and hemp! But the results were truly transformative. This newly woven cloth revolutionized how the dancer moved, and how the audience perceived the movement, allowing audiences to be mesmerised by every flick of the wrist, every flutter of a delicate foot! Imagine, darling! A dance on clouds!
But hold on a minute, because that isnât the end of the tale. In the time following that wonderful day in 1868, more than a handful of new developments gave birth to the ballerina's beloved tutu, that we still adore today. Imagine how this magical material was used, just a few short years before tonight's performance, in "La Bayadère," in which you can witness some of the most breathtaking dance movements and captivating routines in a grand production!
The introduction of a new length changed the look of the tutu entirely. We went from a full-length dress to the iconic knee-length style, exposing the ballerina's legs in a glorious spectacle of grace and elegance. This shift allowed us to see how delicate, how beautiful, the steps actually were. Think, darlings, how elegant, how graceful a ballerina can be! How beautifully the ballerinaâs steps look!
So, as you take in the exquisite artistry of La Bayadère tonight, I encourage you to admire the history of the ballerina's garment - that tutu, dear. Imagine it, all the talent, all the beauty and artistry - all woven into that glorious fabric.
Now, for a final little pinky-promise for the day - remember, darlings, life is short, but beautiful! So put on a pink tutu! It doesnât need to be for an event or for a party! Pop it on, wear it at home, even when you are tidying your house, or while youâre shopping - live your life in style! That is the secret to true happiness - always find a little room for style! Because that's the essence of fashion - living with style!
Stay fabulous, my darlings!
Much love,
Emma
P.S. For our fabulous weekly dose of style and ballet, remember to tune in to pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for the latest #TutuTuesday update, darling! You won't want to miss out!
