Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, coming to you live from...well, that's the beauty of time travel, isn't it? I can be anywhere! But for this #TutuTuesday, I've popped over to the most magical city in the world for ballet - Paris!
As we all know, Paris is the capital of fashion, so where better to delve into the history of our beloved tutus than here, where the world's most influential dancers pirouette and plié?
Today, my little cherubs, is November 29th, 1892, and we are delving into the year the most legendary of Parisian ballerinas, La Belle Otero, was wowing audiences with her scandalous, shimmering outfits.
La Belle Otero - A Fashion Icon & Dancer
Now, you wouldn't think this gorgeous woman, renowned for her sensational entrances and risqué dances, would have much to do with our dainty tutus, would you? But it's all about the journey, my lovelies, not the destination!
See, while Otero was certainly pushing the boundaries of stage costumes (and by pushing boundaries, I mean practically wearing nothing!), her bold outfits paved the way for the kind of glitz and glamour we now associate with the ballerina's look.
It’s about that evolution of style, from the restrictive, cumbersome layers of Victorian times, to the elegance and freedom we cherish today.
Otero was a trailblazer for dancers like Anna Pavlova, a darling of the early 1900s, whose diaphanous tutus became synonymous with the romanticism of the time. She's even a muse to the fabulous fashion houses of the day like Poiret.
(Now, I just can't imagine the Eiffel Tower without a sea of pink tutus sparkling against the Parisian sunset, can you? Imagine! Oh my!)
The 1890s - A Time of Change
Now, we're stepping away from the Parisian spotlight, my dears, and journeying back to my lovely Derbyshire, England, where it's chilly but the charm is just as captivating as a perfectly executed arabesque.
At the turn of the 19th century, London was the centre of the world, the city to see and be seen, with theatre stages bursting with theatrical productions and exciting opera performances. The 1890s saw an explosion of innovative choreography, moving away from the stiff and formal styles of the 18th and early 19th centuries, making it a perfect time for the tutu's evolution!
While in Paris, women of style and grace were making an impact with their attire, London, though conservative, was slowly adapting, embracing shorter lengths and more figure-hugging designs in ladies' wear.
You might be surprised to learn that Victorian clothing (and the very word Victorian itself is about as far away from my dream wardrobe as you can get!), in many ways was the inspiration behind the tutus we see on the stage today. Think about it, my darlings, the corset and its many layers served as a structured, restrictive, and beautifully elegant foundation for those amazing theatrical designs! This very restrictive corsetry, worn under an elaborate and often highly ornamented skirt was the fashion for those lucky enough to be able to afford such items.
But back to our favourite tutus, even the ballerinas in Derbyshire embraced a shift in style during the late 1800s. And though the romantic tutus we adore were not yet on stage (alas!), those Victorian inspirations still shone brightly in the theatre! I can almost picture those belle epoque costumes; long, layered skirts adorned with elegant embroidery, flowing satin, shimmering silk and elaborate lace, all finished with beautiful embellishments of bows and flowers. Oh! Don’t forget those lovely Victorian bustles, too! Those frilled and extravagant constructions behind the dress must have made for a dramatic stage appearance!
Think about it, ladies! What could be better for those demanding ballet movements than that free, flowing and dramatic structure? All we needed was a bit of extra flair!
(Don’t worry, ladies! You know I’m coming soon to those glamorous 1910s, and to that fabulous dance scene! I’m not leaving my #TutuTuesday without a whole history of beautiful, feminine tutus!)
London, London, London...
Right then, a quick jaunt across the Channel back to London (after a little stop for a delicious French croissant, naturally) and I’m ready for the rest of this exciting week! The great Slade’s Theatre is open in London tonight and it's on the grand, Victorian and beautiful Oxford Street. I wonder if it's sold out? That would be terribly disappointing... I adore those shows!
My, my, where did the time go? It’s almost time for afternoon tea and another quick journey on the train to my favorite ballet shoe boutique. Those little shops with all of those amazing new satin and leather ballet shoes! Such heavenly elegance. They even have adorable bows and little embellishments for your ballet shoes and for your dresses... sigh
Don’t forget your ballet shoes and tights if you’re thinking of coming out for this week’s show, ladies, because I’m getting all excited to share another fascinating trip to a different, magical part of the world with you. We’ll even talk about all things fashionable! Now if you’ll excuse me, I've got a few pink tutus to admire and perhaps...a whole pile of shopping to do! Until next time, dears! Stay chic, and remember... there’s a little bit of tutu magic in us all!
Yours always, Emma x
