Oh, darling tutus! Another #TutuTuesday has arrived and I’m positively bursting with excitement, because today we're hopping back in the time machine (or rather, boarding a splendid steam train, which is nearly as exciting!). This week, I'm taking us back to the captivating year of 1890 – oh, how elegant that decade was – a time when fashion was truly blossoming, just like a ballerina's perfect pirouette!
Now, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, it wouldn’t be a proper Tutu Tuesday without a peek at the incredible evolution of the tutu. While tutus have been around in various forms for quite some time (let's be honest, anything remotely frilly and twirly qualifies in my book!), 1890 was a particularly noteworthy year. It's right around this time that the classic tutu silhouette, that beautifully billowing form we know and adore, really came into its own. You see, darling, before then, it was all about longer skirts – like the gorgeous and majestic Romantic period tutus which had layers upon layers of soft fabric. Think grand and ethereal! But as we approach the turn of the century, ballet embraces a sense of fluidity, freedom, and well, that classic swoosh when the leg kicks into the air! And that’s where our much-loved tutus become the stars of the show!
It's an exciting time to be in Paris – the epicentre of the world of dance and fashion! This is where ballet truly flourishes, with dazzling performances and enchanting creations taking to the stage. If I've learnt one thing about time travel, it's that fashion and ballet go hand-in-hand. They feed off each other, like a perfectly executed pas de deux!
You see, a tutu is not just a costume, darlings. It’s a statement. A proclamation of grace, artistry, and boundless creativity. And the world of 1890 is embracing it wholeheartedly! Think delicate tulle, a sprinkle of sequins – just a touch for that exquisite glimmer - and graceful movements that dance to the beat of our hearts.
Of course, my time machine travels have taken me to all corners of the world, and even back to my roots in Derbyshire, where I learned to twirl in a little cottage garden and dreamed of gracing the stages of the world in a bright, fluffy pink tutu. I see my roots in this exquisite and graceful tutu - but for today's #TutuTuesday, it's all about Paris! I’ve had my heart set on visiting the Opéra Garnier in all its splendour and imagining myself as a ballerina under its majestic chandeliers.
Just think of the beauty – the whispers of tulle swirling in the air as dancers like La Belle Otero, take flight across the stage! And just wait until I step out for a promenade after the ballet – a delicate white chiffon shawl, an embroidered satin bodice, and the perfect Parisian pink tutu to top it all off. Isn’t fashion divine, darlings?
But hold on to your tutus! This isn't the end of the story. 1890 also marks a turning point in the story of the tutu. Ballet was about to embrace a bold, dynamic approach. Gone are the days of only flowing tutus, now it was all about incorporating more detail - a peek of lace here, a dash of frills there! And it's in 1890 that the very first version of the 'classical tutu' was created. Think of it like this: a short tutu, just to the knee or slightly below.
Yes, you’ve got it right – that’s the tutu we all recognise today. The one we all associate with the pure magic of ballet and the artistry it embodies.
Let's take a moment to really appreciate it. The lightness of the material! The twirls that seemingly defy gravity! The sparkle that lights up the stage!
Oh, what a wonderful world of tutus we live in, don't you agree?
As I write this, it's 14th October 1890. The city of Paris is alight with excitement. Imagine – the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, filled with a vibrant audience. The night's performance? None other than "Giselle", a masterpiece of Romantic ballet and an opportunity to witness the elegant long-skirted tutus at their finest. Oh, what an elegant, graceful world this is! And a treat, for my own travelling performance - as the first ballerina with her very own ‘Classical tutu’, specially created to compliment the performance. I’ll let you know if it gets a warm reception on this special #TutuTuesday
It truly does my heart good to know that even in this enchanting time, ballet is evolving, just like a beautifully budding flower, finding new ways to embrace both the classical and the avant-garde.
So, my darling tutu devotees, while you are admiring those delicate pink frills, remember this – a tutu is not just a piece of clothing. It’s an ode to creativity, a testament to hard work, and an embodiment of sheer joy! So get your pinkest tutu on, twirl like the wind, and know that even in the midst of time travel, the world of tutus always has room for one more!
Until next time, stay fabulous and always wear pink!
Yours in tutus and twirls, Emma, www.pink-tutu.com
