Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday post, number 3145 on my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! It's been a whirlwind of a week – I popped over to Vienna for a lovely ballet show (did I tell you about the gorgeous crimson velvet curtain?!) and then shopped til I dropped in Paris, so I'm buzzing with inspiration and ready to take you back in time.
Today's date? April 5th, 1892! This is a truly fascinating time for the history of ballet tutus – hold onto your pom-poms because this week's journey takes us deep into the heart of the Belle Époque!
Before we dive into the details, grab a cuppa and let me share some of the fab trends going on right now! I'm talking extravagant gowns with frills and flourishes galore, corseted silhouettes that are so dramatic, and feathers, oh so many feathers! Can you believe how fabulous the 19th century is?
And oh my, those colours! Pink is, of course, still very much a staple of my wardrobe, but I'm spotting a lot of vibrant green, bright blue and shimmering gold! Such fabulous inspiration for future tutu designs, wouldn't you say?
Ballet, Tutus & the Belle Époque:Okay, let's chat about what the world of ballet is looking like in 1892. We're in the midst of the "Golden Age" of ballet, which means exciting innovations, dramatic performances, and a growing focus on ballerinas, their costumes, and the elegance of their movements!
Think elaborate costumes, swirling tutus, and, of course, those perfect pointed shoes. But, things are moving on from the big, puffy Romantic tutus.
What's on trend for ballerinas? It's the time of the short, close-fitting tutus. Can you picture it? A graceful ballerina soaring through the air, but instead of a huge tutu billowing around her legs, the skirt is barely there, emphasizing the fluidity of movement! So much more exciting for a dancer, isn't it?!
While the ballet world in Europe is flourishing, things are getting a bit more exciting with an intriguing addition. Remember, this was also the start of the era of "ballet russes"! This is where the Ballets Russes de Sergei Diaghilev makes its big entrance on the scene. It's all about shocking, innovative, and exciting new pieces of choreography, opulent designs, and revolutionary ways to interpret ballet.
And wouldn't you know it, the year 1892 sees some pretty important milestones:
1892: Sleeping Beauty premieres at the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg! This landmark production, full of beautiful, whimsical costumes and iconic characters, is a turning point for the world of ballet.
1892: Marie Taglioni, considered one of the first truly celebrated ballerinas, passes away. A time of great mourning for the dance world and a testament to her lasting influence.
1892: A time when ballet troupes are still being founded all over Europe – including the Vienna State Opera Ballet! Exciting stuff!
So, my lovelies, as you can see, 1892 was a pivotal moment in the world of ballet and fashion! A world where dance and the exquisite detail of costume came together to enchant audiences all over Europe.
Travel by Train:Of course, being the travel-mad soul that I am, I couldn't write a post about this era without mentioning the arrival of the train! The iron horse! This means more travelling between shows! And that, of course, translates to more opportunities to buy gorgeous clothes! Imagine, waltzing through Parisian boutiques or browsing the latest offerings at a grand Milanese department store... heaven!
As always, my darlings, I encourage you all to go out and seek inspiration! Visit a ballet show, check out vintage clothing stores, explore your creativity, and, most importantly, embrace the magic of dance and beautiful things! 💖 I’ll catch you next week for another edition of #TutuTuesday!
Oh, and do try wearing pink. Everyone looks amazing in pink, trust me.
Lots of love, Emma x
