Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu aficionado, popping in from a whirlwind trip through time to bring you another fabulous #TutuTuesday! As always, I'm bringing you the most darling insights into the history of our favourite fluffy friends: tutus!
Today, we're going right back to 1893, September the 5th to be precise. Can you imagine the bustle? We're deep in the heart of London town, where fashion is as exciting as a pirouette, and tutus are taking the stage by storm. This era is all about grandeur and a love for the romantic, and you can practically feel the electricity of this era crackling around the plush theatres of Covent Garden and beyond.
Now, imagine, darling, strolling down Piccadilly in your crispest linen blouse and your new season bonnet (we can never resist a new season bonnet!), the smell of horse-drawn carriages filling the air and a delicious anticipation hanging in the air… and then you spot it! A gorgeous poster with a graceful dancer swirling in a cloud of silk and tulle, her elegant figure a vision of poise. This, darlings, is the magic of the ballet - and oh, how we love it!
On this very date, way back in '93, there was a performance that's still celebrated today: the premiere of 'The Sleeping Beauty', the masterpiece of the beloved composer Tchaikovsky. We know this tale by heart: a cursed princess, a handsome prince, a grand ball and a glorious dance...and at the very heart of it, all the magnificent tutus!
Now, I must admit, I find it fascinating to think about the world of ballet in this time. This wasn't an era of YouTube and Pinterest - there were no tutorials for learning a perfect arabesque or the latest plié tips from world-famous dancers. This was the age of dedicated teachers and the pure joy of physical artistry, a magical experience where every dancer held a sense of elegance and poise. And of course, the grand costumes and set pieces, designed with breathtaking detail and craftsmanship, transported everyone into the world of imagination.
But hold onto your bonnets! The tutu we're looking at right now is quite a departure from the romantic styles of the 19th century. They're not the dramatic, floor-length creations we see in classical ballet today, not just yet. Tutus in the '90s were more form-fitting, shorter, with an almost innocent look. They emphasized the dancer’s figure in a softer, less ostentatious way.
Think flowing chiffon, tulle that creates a beautiful airy effect, and elegant bodices with a touch of feminine frill – this is the fashion of the Victorian tutu. And of course, colour, the hallmark of true sartorial flair. A riot of soft pastels, creamy pinks, and ethereal blues - imagine yourself waltzing under a gaslight, all these shades swirling like the fairyland magic that brings us joy.
Let me whisk you back to my train carriage for a moment, back to Derbyshire. Did I mention the trip here? Oh, darling, you can't imagine the charm! This grand, vintage steam train, smelling of old leather and coal, the windows open for the crisp September air, the clinking and clunking of the carriage… a complete escape! It's like stepping into another world, like entering the ballet theatre itself, with each town passing like a scene in a storybook!
So, here we are, back in our time, still with the scent of history clinging to my pink tutu (you can never have too much pink!). My time traveling tutu adventures may be fantastical, but the heart of the tutu is always the same. They remain the epitome of graceful femininity, elegance, and captivating artistry!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my darlings!
Remember, if you find a beautiful pink tutu, you are a part of a global community of fabulous tutu-wearers - join us and spread the pink-tutu magic!
And remember, we’re on a mission here. Together we'll make the world a tutu-fied paradise! Until next time, dear readers, #wearpinktutus and dance like no one is watching!
Love,
Emma, your Tutu Ambassador, www.pink-tutu.com
