Greetings, my lovely tutufarians!
It's Emma here, back again with another #TutuTuesday adventure. Today, we're jetting back in time to 30th April 1889. Buckle your ballet shoes, dear readers, because we're about to embark on a sartorial voyage through the glorious history of the ballet tutu!
This week's journey finds me twirling around the streets of Paris, oh, the glamour! There's something positively electrifying about the air here - an energy that speaks of creative leaps and fashion triumphs. And let me tell you, Paris in 1889 is quite the sight! I just finished browsing the boutiques of the rue de la Paix, my bag overflowing with exquisite, diaphanous silks, perfect for that elegant, flowing ballerina look. I simply must create my own tutu from these, don't you think?
Speaking of tutus... let's delve into our time machine and find out where our beautiful, billowing creations came from. Now, 1889 was right in the midst of a very exciting period in ballet history, you know. We were transitioning from the romantic era of flowing skirts and romantic stories to the thrilling precision of classical ballet. This change had a HUGE impact on the costume!
Before we hop into the history, let me tell you a little about why Paris is THE centre of all things tutufied. The Paris Opera Ballet, founded in 1669, is where the tutus we know and love really came to the fore.
Remember how we talked about ballet transitioning to classical style? Well, that change in dance style led to an entirely new, more flexible, costume. In fact, it was the legendary French dancer Marie Taglioni who's credited with shortening the skirts of the time to make dancing more fluid and graceful. This meant tutus became lighter and more elaborate, often featuring a very structured bodice with a shorter, swirling skirt made of tulle or netting, perfectly revealing those beautiful legs, yes, that's what I'm talking about, lovely flowing tulle!
Think about those dramatic leaps and pirouettes we all adore. This change of costume allowed ballerinas to truly display their athleticism.
But it wasn't just about practicality, darling, it was a full-on fashion explosion. Designers were playing around with the shape and the textures, creating ever more breathtaking styles that added to the drama and the grandeur of ballet performances. Now THAT’S a combination I can get behind!
And the fun isn’t over, because there were even more changes to come in our ballet fashion. For example, the tutus started to incorporate the ‘Romantic Era’ colours like pale blue and white and soft pink, as well as vibrant colours like scarlet red, for a striking contrast. Just divine!
Remember, the tutu isn't just a piece of clothing. It’s a symbol of grace, elegance, and the enduring spirit of ballet.
The beauty of tutus in 1889 wasn't limited to the stage either. That glorious combination of delicate, flowy tulle, and pretty bodices soon found their way into ladies' fashion, giving them the ultimate combination of style and practicality. Imagine it! Imagine rocking a blush-pink tulle skirt in the street, maybe even paired with a fashionable walking outfit for those stylish Parisien walks. Imagine the stares you'd receive! That's the effect our love of the ballet tutu had on society - the fashion was literally off the stage and onto the streets! And don't even get me started on the iconic colour pink!
It seems like fashion was in quite a flurry this day in 1889. I mean, besides the ballet world being aglow with beautiful tutus, the grand opening of the Eiffel Tower was a happening event, just imagine! I’ve heard that some fashion houses, in a bold, inspiring move, incorporated some of the Parisian fashion trend inspired by tutus to showcase new styles with those beautiful materials. Fashion history in the making!
And what's better than enjoying a Parisian show? Having a bite at a café or, let's be honest, a luxurious Parisian pastry shop to fuel up for all that dance and fashion goodness. They certainly do know how to make beautiful cakes here. But that's a topic for another blog!
Until next time, keep dancing, keep twirling, and remember - a pink tutu always makes the world a more beautiful place. Don’t forget to browse through www.pink-tutu.com for all your ballet tutus, I just updated my line and I think you're going to love it!
I’ll be posting again next Tuesday with a new blog entry from another #TutuTuesday journey through time. Remember to visit my blog each week to follow along and explore the incredible world of ballet history. And please feel free to let me know in the comments where you'd like me to visit next!
Au revoir, and happy dancing! Emma x 💖
