Hey darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to another thrilling instalment of my #TutuTuesday blog, coming to you live from, well... drum roll... 1890s Paris! 🇫🇷
Can you believe it's already #TutuTuesday number 3040? I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. I have to confess, being a time-travelling ballerina does make life pretty hectic. Last week I was in 17th-century Vienna for a ball, this week it's the dazzling city of Paris. 🗼 My life is a whirlwind of tutus and travel - just the way I like it! 💖
Now, as you lovely lot know, I am obsessed with all things ballet. My passion? Tutues! Everything about them: the twirls, the flounces, the history - and my favourite colour pink, of course. 💕
But tutus aren't just pretty things! They have a fascinating past. And this #TutuTuesday, we're going back to 1890-04-01 to find out what the ballet world was wearing!
You might think tutus have always been the quintessential ballet garment, but back in 1890, the stage was far more… interesting to say the least!
Imagine - no knee-length tutus, no fitted bodices, no pretty ballet shoes with ribbons... instead, imagine… Long, heavy skirts that trailed behind the dancers as they performed! 😱 Can you imagine the trip hazards?!
A New Dawn for the Tutu:
Now, even though we weren't yet in the era of the modern, knee-length tutu, there were signs of change in the wind!
Around this time, the revolutionary La Sylphide ballet was premiering in Paris.
This ballet was a true turning point for ballet history and tutus alike. The dancers started wearing shorter, flowing skirts in their choreography - a stark contrast to the bulky costumes they used to wear! Imagine - more movement, more fluidity, more freedom for the dancers. I adore a good movement-friendly tutu, don’t you? 😍
Tutus and the Art of Design:
The year 1890 wasn't all about tutus. That said, in London at the same time, Charles Frederick Worth was busy making waves in fashion, pioneering new methods of garment design, especially using new and innovative fabrics. 🧵 Could he have inspired those new shorter skirts? Maybe! 🤔
The art of fashion design was really beginning to take its inspiration from the delicate and intricate details found in ballet, which, of course, was a delightful inspiration for me. 💖
This period saw a strong emphasis on graceful lines, lightweight fabrics and the showcasing of the dancer's body through clothing - I bet you can already see where that led us! 😉
A Tuto-filled Parisian Dream:
Let me tell you, being in Paris in 1890 was truly magical. I mean, even today, Paris is such a hotbed for everything fashion-related! Imagine how it felt back then! 💖 I felt like I'd fallen straight into a beautiful fairytale. The whole city was filled with elegant Parisian ladies with gorgeous flowing gowns - just like I dreamed about. 🤩
But alas, I wasn’t just there to soak up the Parisian ambiance - I had a show to attend, and you know how much I adore ballet!
A Day at the Opera:
Tonight, it's the premiere of the ever-so-lovely ballet "The Sleeping Beauty" at the majestic Palais Garnier. ✨ You guys are going to love this show! With stunning sets, elegant choreography, and incredible costumes, it was everything I'd dreamt of. The audience was full of excited whispers, anticipating every single note, every movement - and oh my goodness, did it live up to the hype!
Just think - back then, people were seeing their very first tutu-filled productions! That makes the heart flutter, doesn't it? 😍
The grace and artistry of the ballet dancers were mesmerising, the tutu-laden women of the court were especially beautiful! 🩰 Their white tulle tutus were beautifully layered, catching the light with every step, like swirling clouds! ☁️ And can you even imagine the grand entrances in those voluminous skirts?! I think I could watch a ballet for days on end! ✨
Tutus For Every Occasion:
The thing that really blew me away though? You weren't just going to find tutus on stage. 🩰 These beautiful creations were showing up on the streets, at high society events - even at the most exclusive galas! I am talking about* all types of tulle - swirling, flowing, billowing* – truly enchanting.
Oh, and don't get me started on the ribbons. * They were absolutely everywhere! Tying off sleeves, adorninng gowns, even draping across beautiful evening hats! 🎀 *Think tutus are just for dancers? Think again!
My Pink Tutu Challenge:
Here is my mission, darlings - my big Tutu Tuesday dream! 💕
I want everyone - I mean everyone, from the ballerina on stage to the everyday person in the street to embrace their inner tutu and dance the world to a pink-tutu-clad delight!
I mean, what's better than a bright pink, floaty tulle number that makes you twirl like a spinning dream? My motto? "If in doubt, put on a tutu!" 🤪 *I even found a fantastic shop today with *loads of fabulous, bright, gorgeous tutus in the most delightful colours - including a stunning **raspberry one I couldn't resist adding to my collection! 💖
I promise I will keep sharing the history of our tutu evolution each Tuesday, because my darlings, a tutu a day keeps the fashion police away! See you all next week, and remember… Keep on twirling! ✨
With love and fluffy tulle,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
