Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dear readers! Today is #TutuTuesday, and as always, I’m absolutely thrilled to be back with you to dive into the delightful history of the ballet tutu. This week, we’re whisking ourselves back to 1891, a time when tutus were starting to take their rightful place as icons of elegance and grace. Now, I know what you’re thinking - "Emma, how do you keep travelling through time? Where’s your Time Turner?" Well, it's all thanks to a little bit of magic and a lot of passion for ballet. 😉 I fund my adventures with performances, which, you’ve guessed it, involve some fantastically twirlable tutus. This week’s time travel journey landed me in beautiful Paris, and oh my, it was a true feast for the senses!
Let’s rewind to March 3rd, 1891. This very day, Paris' Opéra Garnier was buzzing with anticipation as the ballet “La Source”, set to a captivating score by the legendary Léo Delibes, premiered. Now, if you're a ballet aficionado like myself, you know that Delibes was a genius! He’s responsible for composing the glorious “Sylvia” ballet music, one of my absolute favourites. It’s full of those stunning musical melodies that make your feet start to tap along! Back to 1891, the choreography of “La Source” was entrusted to Joseph Hansen, and just imagine those tutus shimmering on stage – what a sight it must have been!
Speaking of tutus, 1891 was an exciting year for their evolution. The era of the romantic tutu, those wispy, full-skirted designs from the 1800s, was starting to transition towards a more streamlined, graceful style. Think shorter skirts, a bit of sparkle here and there, and perhaps some exquisite ribbons for an added touch of drama. While those romantic tutus had their undeniable charm, they were rather impractical for some ballet moves. This transition toward a less cumbersome, more practical tutu paved the way for even more intricate and daring choreography. Just imagine, dear reader, how much freer ballerinas felt on stage with this newfound ease of movement!
And speaking of Parisian trends, the colours and embellishments of that era were something truly special! Imagine, ladies, flowing satin dresses with delicate lace trim, sparkling brooches and an abundance of pearl necklaces. Just picture these Parisian beauties gracing the ballet halls, their tutus floating in a symphony of elegance. As a lover of all things pink, I was smitten by the pastel tones and subtle floral patterns that adorned everything from their dresses to their ballet slippers!
One of the things I absolutely adore about travelling through time is experiencing the theatre of the past! Theatres, like the majestic Opéra Garnier, weren’t just buildings; they were the hubs of artistic and social life. The atmosphere, I can tell you, was electrifying! A buzz of excitement would fill the air as everyone awaited the curtains to rise, a cacophony of hushed whispers mixing with the strum of an orchestra warming up for the show. I love imagining the gaslight illumination, creating an almost magical aura within those magnificent theatres.
I don’t know about you, darlings, but I've been dying to get my hands on some vintage tutus! Sadly, most of them reside in museums now. (Oh, how I dream of visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum in London one day to see those historical treasures in person.) However, the good news is that some fashion houses still incorporate elements of these historic designs into their modern creations!
Don’t forget, this is my #TutuTuesday blog post, number 3088 to be exact, on www.pink-tutu.com, where we dive into the history and wonder of tutus! It's truly my passion to share this exciting world with you, so stay tuned next week as we embark on a new journey through the tutu archives! And in the meantime, keep twirling and keep dreaming in pink! 🌸💕
