Bonjour mes amis! Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! This week's Tutu Tuesday takes us on a whistle-stop journey back to March 10th, 1891. Buckle up, my darlings, for we're about to step into a world of romantic tutus and breathtaking ballet!
I'm currently whizzing around Europe in my trusty vintage train carriage, but for this trip I'm hopping off at the Grand Opera House in Paris! 1891, oh what a time! The French are the masters of chic, and nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of dance.
Think La Sylphide (just imagine the incredible ethereal tulle, light as a feather), Giselle (oh those cascading ruffles!), and of course Swan Lake. This iconic ballet debuted in Moscow just five years earlier and was all the rage! The grand tutus of these productions, oh how they swirled and shimmered, the perfect embodiment of femininity and grace.
Back then, tutus weren't just worn for ballet; they were the darling of Parisian socialites and the height of fashion! Ladies would sport their own versions, shorter, often paired with a flamboyant jacket and hat, and often in a lovely shade of... you guessed it... pink! Just imagine a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne, Parisian ladies fluttering about in their pretty tutus!
While my vintage tutu wardrobe doesn't exactly reflect the styles of the 1890s, let me tell you, it wouldn't look out of place amongst the high fashion of Paris! But speaking of outfits, there was one particular fashion event happening on March 10th, 1891, that really set my time-travelling heart aflutter...
The unveiling of Paul Poiret's collection at the Palais Royal! This iconic designer would go on to revolutionise women's fashion with his bold and innovative designs. And believe me, his fashion show was a must-see. Picture elegant women parading down a grand runway in creations of opulent silks, dramatic textures, and striking colour palettes. The audacity! The glamour! And did I mention the ruffles and ribbons?
I am truly obsessed with fashion! While my taste is a little more frilly and flamboyant, Poiret's designs reflect an equally daring and adventurous spirit. That's why I think a pink tutu would fit right in amongst his other amazing creations!
My favourite bit about 1891? Everyone, it seems, was so eager for excitement! Opera houses were packed every night with an eager audience thirsting for beauty and performance. Theatres were humming with talent, from tragic plays to sparkling musical comedies. And the dancing!
It was a golden age for ballet and one where the humble tutu became an undisputed star. So here's to the tutus of 1891, and all the elegance, drama and creativity they represented.
And remember my dears, you too can add a touch of tutus to your life! Just pop a pink tutu over your favourite dress, rock your own Ballet Tuesdays with your favourite ballet music and of course, don't forget to take some snaps of your graceful selves!
Till next week, darling tutus! Keep the twinkle in your eye, the dance in your heart and the pink in your tutu!
Your always stylish friend,
Emma x
