Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time and ready to share a little bit of tutu history with you all. This week we're waltzing back to 28th October, 1890, and it's oh so exciting because, as always, there's something fabulous happening in the world of ballet!
As I shimmied my way through the bustling streets of Paris, (trust me, darling, a pink tutu and a pair of sensible walking shoes are surprisingly practical in any era!), I just had to grab a little slice of that famous Parisian flair. Oh, the sheer elegance and the sheer volume of tulle - swoon!
But let's dive straight into the history, shall we?
The Paris Opera, my darlings, the Paris Opera! That's where the magic was happening this week in 1890. Now, I don’t need to tell you how much I love ballet and seeing those beautiful dancers in their graceful leaps and pirouettes, especially those delightful ballerinas with their perfect pink tutus, but this night had something extra special going on. It was a gala night, and oh my, the opulence was breathtaking! Imagine - an exquisite sea of tulle and silk, sparkling jewels, and a flurry of beautiful gentlemen with dashing mustaches – sheer magic, I tell you!
Now, if you’re a true tutu enthusiast like me, you’ll know that the tutu, that little wisp of magical fabric, has undergone some transformations over the centuries. While you might think of a ballerina's outfit as just one style of tutu, there are, of course, different styles – think Romantic, Classical, and even the more modern Neoclassical, and oh boy, are they dazzling! Back in 1890, those grand, floor-length Romantic tutus were still all the rage. They gave the dancers a kind of ethereal grace and elegance - just like floating, beautiful blossoms. It’s hard not to fall in love with the flowing beauty of those graceful silhouettes. I do, however, think it's about time for a proper pink tutu revival, darling. It's time to go beyond the "romantic" – don't you think? We can do so much with tulle these days! Think bold colors, playful patterns, and maybe even a touch of sparkle.
On the other side of the Channel, London's Royal Opera House was also humming with excitement! The renowned Italian ballerina, Carlotta Patti was dazzling the crowd with her incredible grace. As a little ballet tidbit for you lovelies – she was known for her sparkling, jewel-encrusted costumes. Can you imagine how absolutely breathtaking she must have looked on stage? It’s not just the tutus that contribute to a ballerina’s magic – the whole outfit plays a part!
Speaking of outfits, darlings, I have been absolutely swooning over a particularly magnificent dress I saw while I was shopping in Paris. It’s a sumptuous silk dress with lace sleeves, the colour of ripe plums – just heavenly! I know, a little far removed from the ballet theme, but how can one resist such elegant pieces?
Anyway, I must go. You’ve probably guessed, I’m off to another era – I have a rather important appointment with some exciting history-making in New York in the 1920s, which might involve a fabulous vintage shopping spree (and possibly a very sparkly flapper-inspired tutu….)
Remember, dear readers, no matter what the era or the trend, the tutu holds its power - a magical little piece of fabric that reminds us to dance through life with elegance, grace, and of course, a dash of colour. So go out and embrace that fabulous, tutu-wearing you, my darlings, and don't forget to share your adventures with us. You know what to do - use #TutuTuesday!
And now, if you’ll excuse me, my train is leaving soon – a rather charming steam engine called the 'Northern Belle'. Until next week, happy tutuing!
With love,
Emma.
*P.S. * I’m getting a whole lot of requests for pink tutu patterns, so I might just have to add a “Sew It Yourself” section to the blog. Just a little thought I’ve been pondering!
