Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-loving tutu-enthusiast, Emma, here, back again with another whirlwind adventure in the glorious world of ballet tutus. Buckle up, lovelies, because this week’s trip through time takes us to a fabulous era of big skirts and even bigger drama – 22nd January 1889, to be precise!
Oh, the thrill of travel! Just last week, I found myself waltzing around the Vienna Opera House, basking in the shimmering lights and breathtaking performance. And today? Well, darling, we’re taking the train to a place where fashion reigns supreme: Paris!
Can you picture it? Parisian streets brimming with bustle and a Parisian ballet world teeming with … well, a rather stiff and formal attitude. Think elaborate hairstyles with more hairspray than you can imagine and very little movement on stage. Think frilly tutus and corsets - oh, the corsets! So tight, one might worry they’d stay behind as the ballerina danced, let alone stay on after! I must admit, my fellow ballerinas were most elegant but, goodness me, a bit stiff! They couldn't be expected to turn like a dancer today.
So what did they do for entertainment? Well, 1889, darling, saw a most magnificent exhibition - a spectacular show called The World Fair! I know you must be wondering why this matters, but oh, darling, it’s everything to do with tutus!
Imagine, dear reader, an Eiffel Tower built just for this fair! Yes, the famous Iron Lady herself, glittering against the Parisian sky. A majestic sight, surely, and the most extraordinary piece of architecture - one that inspired the designers of the day to create their own dramatic statement pieces. That included ballet, my dear!
Now, we’re not talking full-on tutu explosion like the ballet world has now - think elegant silhouettes in soft hues, a little more subdued in a way, with delicate embroidery adding a touch of grace. It was a time when ballet was seen as a refined art form, reserved for the privileged and, frankly, I found it rather dull and stilted! Now, I have the energy to spin and leap, oh yes, all the way across the stage. Oh, darling, the thrill of twirling to perfection!
What made 1889 exciting though? It’s all in the evolution, my dears! While those grand tulle and silk tutus had been around for quite some time, 1889 marked a period of evolution, where the skirt’s length started to go shorter, which, if you ask me, is a step in the right direction, wouldn't you agree? That was followed by a move towards tighter and lighter fabrics - like silk, which allowed for much greater movement! Think of it as a small step towards our modern day ballet styles - tutus that fly, shimmer, and show off our strength and artistry, just as I do.
Think delicate ribbons and frills, lots of lovely lace, and tutus with intricate details that added a dash of fairytale glamour to every performance. My, it’s beautiful to imagine it all, isn't it? And speaking of enchanting, what better place to explore than the very fairground itself? I've been spending my days waltzing through bustling marketplaces, where the sights and sounds of this 19th-century wonder are almost as beautiful as a tutu.
Oh, I do so love those 19th-century ladies, in their flouncy dresses and parasols - such charming creatures! My oh my, those costumes have me so inspired! While I may not quite have the time to make these lovely garments myself - time travel can be exhausting, you know - I have to admit, the intricate details on those bonnets! Darling, those frills and feathers are a match for any tutu!
Now, don’t you worry, my loves. I wouldn’t let a Tuesday pass by without a bit of sartorial fun! I found a wonderful atelier here, just off the Boulevard de Magenta - a darling little shop full of gorgeous fabrics and sparkling embellishments. Why, they had the most delicious shades of pink and ivory - imagine, oh darling, all the colours I could create on a tutu, perfect for dancing my way through this magical fairground. I even got myself some of the most lovely trims, little delicate pearls and some pink ribbon! Just wait until you see it, darling - this will be the perfect look for a delightful trip to The Moulin Rouge. The only problem is, this one’s not quite ready to be danced in! Now where can I find a little help with my needle and thread?
Ah, darling, even in this old-world Parisian setting, I managed to find the most wonderful pink satin. Can you imagine? Satin as soft as a blush and as bright as a sunrise - simply perfect! What can I say, I’m a bit obsessed, aren't I? What’s a ballerina to do when surrounded by all this loveliness, especially when it's the inspiration behind everything that we dance for.
That, my loves, is the beauty of time travel. Not only does it take me back to where tutus first bloomed, but it inspires me to create and celebrate the evolution of dance wear through every glorious decade! I might not be waltzing in a 19th-century gown right now - my time-traveling wardrobe is quite practical, and pink tutus travel well - but you better believe that I’ll be embracing the past to elevate our present!
Now, I must be off to spend the rest of my day amongst the Parisians! They’re still fascinated by all those amazing inventions and the marvels of this incredible World Fair - I hope they don't see my pink tutu! Don’t forget to visit pink-tutu.com next week for more of our #TutuTuesday adventure. Until then, remember, a tutu is just a beginning - what will you wear it with? Let’s go and show the world just how lovely a tutu can be, darling, and let’s all keep on spinning our way into a fabulous future!
