Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu wearing time traveller and ballet aficionado! It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another #TutuTuesday and a dive into the fascinating history of the tutu!
Today, I’m stepping back into a gilded age, a time when gaslight flickered and the bustle of a New York City theatre district was in full swing! It’s May 5th, 1891. Buckle your shoes for a delightful journey back to a time when dance took on an even greater level of elegance!
Imagine a whirl of colourful silks and a hush falling over the audience as the star dancer takes the stage. Tonight, we're in the Grand Opera House of New York for a performance of "La Esmeralda." Can you believe it's nearly a century old, a ballet premiered way back in 1844! It tells the tale of a captivating gypsy girl who’s adored by the heart of a young bell ringer and stalked by the jealousy of the infamous hunchback, Quasimodo. Drama, passion, and dancing!
My eyes wander from the ornate detailing of the proscenium arch to the tiers of balconies adorned with a flourish of plush red velvet. I take in the exquisite outfits – the women sporting opulent gowns with elaborate feathers, ribbons, and beads. It's no wonder, then, that the ballet's costumes are a show unto themselves!
Now, imagine a ballerina, so light she seems to float. Her dress is a swirling wave of pink tulle that reveals the elegance of her movement, a true marvel of choreography. Her skirt, layered and full, captures the essence of femininity and graceful flight. What a joy it is to witness! It is like a ballet in itself!
Today's tutus are much closer to what we know now as a classical tutu, which started gaining popularity in the 1840s. This change was, dare I say, a revolutionary move! Think of it: gone were the weighty, layered skirts, and in their place, a fluidity that mirrored the lightness of the dancers’ moves.
Let's travel further back. Before the 1840s, skirts were much more voluminous, like a layered pancake. Imagine how hard it would have been to dance in those heavy garments. But as the Romantic period bloomed, so too did the need for an attire that would emphasize graceful motion and freedom. The introduction of tulle, lightweight and translucent, was an inspired choice!
And you know what else I'm absolutely thrilled to find? The colours. This is not your traditional pale pink! This era is vibrant, bold and fearless! Crimson reds, emerald greens, and rich jewel tones are not only in the costume fabrics but also the elaborate feather head-dresses, that shimmer and shine, giving the dancers an almost otherworldly aura.
As I marvel at this ballet spectacle, I also marvel at the train journey I just made to get here. Oh, to be a fashionable traveller on the railway. The train station was a grand scene in itself, all marbled floors, soaring vaulted ceilings and an impressive display of Victorian craftsmanship. I felt like I was right out of one of those fashionable novels I’m so fond of reading. It's moments like these that remind me that the world of ballet and its fashion has a rich and complex history, and I, your very own time-travelling tutu enthusiast, am here to bring it all to you.
But now, before I go, I must ask… what will be your #TutuTuesday pick for today? How would you style a pink tutu for a night at the theatre? Would you be more dramatic, more understated, or even experiment with a touch of lace? Let’s discuss it in the comments below!
Until next week, darlings! Keep on twirling,
Emma xxx
P.S. Remember, the world is a much brighter and more joyful place with a pink tutu! Go on, find one that makes your heart sing and dance! It’s a little piece of magic for every woman.
