Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Emma here, your pink-obsessed ballerina blogger, back with another journey through time to delve into the fabulous history of the tutu!
Today, we're stepping back in time to 1890 – a date packed with sartorial delights! Oh my, the fashions! 👗
Just imagine, I'm in the grand heart of Paris, right? I just hopped off the train, you see. It was such a treat, all those fancy carriages passing by! Imagine all those ladies in their opulent ball gowns, feather boas, and…wait for it…my absolute favourites, their elaborate bustles! Ooh, what a beautiful time for a fashionista like me!
As we journey through this exquisite era, let's imagine, my lovelies, if I were to have joined one of those grand Parisian balls! My blush pink tutu, crafted with the finest silk and tulle (a must-have back then, you know!), would've swirled about like the softest clouds. Imagine me, darling, twirling amidst a sea of exquisite ladies in their bustled skirts and shimmering jewellery – oh the romance, the magic! ✨
Speaking of Parisian balls… Today’s #TutuTuesday journey finds me at the famous Palais Garnier - that opulent home of the Paris Opera! Oh my, the grandeur, the exquisite chandeliers, the buzz of excitement in the air… This splendid opera house is, I daresay, the very epicentre of tutu fashion! Can you imagine my delight?
But enough about the fashion scene (although honestly, how can one resist such extravagance, my darlings? ) Let's take a peek back at the history of the ballet tutu at this precise moment in time!
1890: The Tutu Takes its Cue From Fashion 👗Back in 1890, you wouldn't believe, darlings, ballet tutus weren’t really all that different to ladies’ dresses. No, really! It wasn’t till a few years later that tutus truly came into their own. But what I do find simply charming, my dears, is that tutus were firmly influenced by the fashions of the day. Just like those exquisite ballgowns! Think of the puffed sleeves, the intricate layers, the use of frills and lace… these elements all popped up in tutus, too! It’s like they borrowed a leaf out of the dressmaking book, creating a delicate and graceful style for the stage.
The Romantic tutu – or should we say Ballet Romanesque? La Sylphide was a prime example. I have it on good authority that it became the signature style. This type of tutu, oh so popular back in 1890, was longer than today's tutus, falling gracefully to the ankle. They’re quite similar to those bell-shaped party dresses from your favourite childhood fairytales, but with the added elegance of tulle and silk, you see. They’re so delightful! Imagine me spinning in a flurry of pink tulle – divine! 💖
So the 1890’s were a significant time for tutu design, but… let's move on, my lovelies, to an event which truly stole the stage – the world premiere of La Bayadère, oh, my dears!
This gorgeous ballet had its world premiere on 11th February 1890 – right here, today! Imagine a night of musical enchantment! It’s all thanks to the wonderful work of Marius Petipa and the exquisite music of Ludwig Minkus. Can you believe they chose a stunning Indian temple as the stage setting for the show, my darlings? It’s truly beautiful! The costumes! You should just have seen them… La Bayadère boasted so many extravagant tutus and shimmering dresses… it must have been truly stunning.
Let’s fast forward to today's stage, darlings, and the impact of this production on today’s La Bayadère dancers: The iconic Kingdom of the Shades is famous for the iconic White Tutu and its stunning simplicity – one single layer of tulle – oh, how graceful, my dears! La Bayadère has been recreated many times, its costumes are often redesigned but it always holds that certain enchantment – and the tutus? Just the best, darlings! And it’s all thanks to this very production! Imagine, on this day, we’re celebrating a little piece of history that has changed the tutu forever! What a privilege!
I just have to pop on a tutu of my own! My blush pink one, with its layers of soft tulle and those tiny rosebuds? Oh, my lovelies, I’d have blended right into those Paris ballrooms! It’s my signature colour you see, because everything is just so much more fabulous in pink. 💖 I can't imagine anything more exquisite!
## #PinkTutuLove: Tutu Fashion Inspiration!
My lovely tutus – they inspire my imagination so much. And with those glorious Ballet Romanesque tutus swirling in my mind… it’s the perfect time to have some fun! So today, let's take inspiration from the fabulous ballet styles and create a few pink tutus of our own… imagine the fun of creating our own, bespoke, tutus, just for ourselves! Oh my dears, this could become my very own special pink tutu crafting challenge. 🩰 What fun, wouldn't you say? We can pick a design, gather our favourite colours (must be lots of pink!) and some lovely, delicate tulle and create something totally divine.
The wonderful tutus from La Bayadère – La Sylphide– these are some true show stoppers, darlings, so when it comes to finding that ideal pink tutu fabric? Well, it’s got to be feather-light, don’t you think? For me, tulle is absolutely divine - imagine the lightness, the swish, the absolute enchantment of it all! It's like wearing a little bit of magic, don’t you think? My very own personal pink fairytale!
As the Kingdom of the Shades inspires us, let's use a beautiful smooth satin, my darlings, just to give our tutus that luxurious finish…and imagine those elegant touches of lace – the signature look for our 1890 inspired pink tutus! A sprinkle of glitter (in pink, naturally!), and oh, for those elegant flourishes – think delicate pearl embellishments! How truly luxurious.
I hope you love these tutu ideas – they’re definitely worthy of being worn to the most dazzling ballrooms or the grandest opera houses, just imagine it, my darlings. 💖 And it is the pink tulle, you see, which sets them apart as so enchanting.
Oh, I simply must say - it doesn’t stop there, darlings!
Don’t forget about the ballerina buns and those sparkling hair combs… it is an integral part of the ballet-inspired look – but why not add a tiny pink feather or flower for an extra touch of Parisian flair? Imagine a tiny tiara of pearl blossoms or a ribbon threaded through my hair – I’m so fancy! And the ballerina shoes… Oh, don't you love them? With all that beautiful satin – oh so divine!
And why should our fun stop at the tutus?
It’s a chance to let our inner princesses out, my darlings. You can choose any design! Imagine matching bags, hair clips – even some stylish, sparkling nail art… it's so delightful, my dears! So let's transform those ballet-inspired looks into everyday elegance – you never know, we might inspire the next tutu-loving generation, you never know!
My darlings, I’m going to make some gorgeous new tutus of my very own today – for this week’s special Pink Tutu challenge. I think I might make one of those stunning 1890 designs with all that lace, don’t you think? But in pink – obviously, you know me too well by now.
So if you love tutus, love pink and love all things ballet (I’m not sure how you couldn't after this week's trip) then pop your pink tutu on! I know it's a bit of a fancy dress code - and everyone looks lovely in a tutu – so wear your pink tutu with confidence, darling! And I really do encourage you to let me know how your pink tutu creations go!
Until next week my tutu-loving darlings! Remember: I want to see the world in pink tututus… because it’s simply a more fun place when we all wear tutus – let’s make the world a more beautiful place! 💖
With much pink tulle love,
Emma xx
