Hello my darling dears! Emma here, back with another peek into the magical history of our beloved tutus. Itâs #TutuTuesday and you know what that means! We're stepping back in time to the 12th September, 1893 - and boy, oh boy, do we have a treat in store!
Iâve just whizzed back from a delightful jaunt to the gorgeous Paris, where I caught the most spectacular ballet performance. The city just sparkles! I picked up some stunning fabrics â lace and silk, oh my! Youâll just have to wait for my next post, dear readers, as I simply have to show you the heavenly frocks Iâm dreaming up.
But for now, back to our history lesson. Now, in 1893, the world of ballet was buzzing, honey! You wouldn't believe how quickly things were changing.
The tutu as we know it today â short, fluffy, and oh so glamorous - was still finding its legs. They were certainly more modest than those we adore today, with lengths a tad longer, closer to the knee. Think flowing fabrics and charming lines, all perfectly complementing those stunning moves.
Of course, Paris is the absolute epicenter of the fashion world. In the late 1800s, they were experimenting with tutus of every colour! Yes, even pink, darling, it was starting to peek out! Though a little bolder than your standard âblushâ, more of a hot pink, to be honest. It was considered quite avant-garde in those days.
This was the era of the most celebrated ballet dancer of the time â a true legend named La Belle Otero. Now, Otero was absolutely daring. She even donned pink on stage, in full view of the Paris audience. Oh, imagine! Scandalous! Though it certainly worked wonders for her career, landing her centre stage as the star. She was an absolute inspiration for every single ballerina back then, her talent just unbelievable, she really did set the stage alight.
While Paris was pushing boundaries, in other parts of the world, tutus still held more traditional, and some would say, prim and proper lines. Imagine those dainty white, and blush pink, floor-length tulle skirts, a dream for those elegant waltzes!
But here's a fun fact: In 1893, a little village in Derbyshire, England, was the first place in all of the British Isles to ever host a full-blown ballet performance, and the ladies were rocking the shorter, fuller tutus! And let me tell you, those girls were moving. The village was filled with tutus! It was such an event - truly magical, everyone talking about the beautiful, flamboyant costumes, dancing and music â an absolute celebration. You wouldnât believe the rush to the shops in the weeks afterwards to buy tulle for home-made tutus. And yes, we all know where this glorious tradition started, donât we? And here we are, continuing to keep it going, right here on my beloved www.pink-tutu.com. You know me! Tutus for all, darling. Letâs spread the pink love.
Speaking of the world, there was so much going on, darling. I just canât resist mentioning it, it is my mission, you see. It would have been unthinkable to talk about this fabulous history without remembering all of those incredible, awe-inspiring, women in this period. In the year of 1893, there was just SO MUCH going on â an astonishing year of firsts. Now, you might not have thought ballet has so much in common with politics, darling, but thatâs just how things were. The fight for the right for women to vote really did take center stage, in London at least! Such courageous and determined women, I couldnât be more proud. Women, at that time, were on the brink of true freedom. It just takes me back! Of course, in London the most beautiful theaters were buzzing. My very favorite, the Coliseum was opening! Talk about stunning, a show stopper, a real showpiece! Youâll never imagine how this was truly changing everything - the stage design, the audiencesâŚeverything.
In America, well, they were also embracing ballet. However, it was a slightly different scene. I was there in September - absolutely the crème de la crème. Now you must forgive my bias but we simply have to speak of America, as they are at the very cutting edge of design and fashion! And yes, those glorious pink tutus⌠I saw them there first. A blush of pink tulle that looked absolutely stunning, just lovely, simply dreamy! And itâs right here, all over the web, thanks to my glorious www.pink-tutu.com website, for spreading the love for pink. Now itâs something Iâm obsessed with. And this all comes from this incredible journey!
Let me take you on a little adventure of my own. It was here in America, as I explored their dazzling shops in New York City. I remember the delicious scent of fresh-cut silks in a shop on Fifth Avenue - I had a little cry because of the magnificence. And yes, those glorious shoes! Simply a divine pleasure, so comfortable and sleek, truly fit for a ballerina, or indeed any beautiful girl. They were just, stunningly simple. They also came in the most delicate shades, too. The shop staff told me all about the fashion. They just embraced everything feminine. A simple yet glamorous approach - they truly know their fabrics and their fit! Yes, New York! A dream! Oh, how I love it. And their amazing Broadway shows⌠The grandeur and sophistication. Oh the stage productions, stunning, divine! Such talented performers and dancers! Just divine.
1893! What a year for ballet, darling. The magic is just brewing! In this year we have the origins of tutus for everyone.
So there you have it, dears, a little glimpse of ballet history. Until next week, darling! Make sure you catch a show and be inspired, donât forget your pink tutu to show the world. Oh, youâll be dancing down those streets in the blink of an eye, just like a Parisian ballet. You are beautiful, darling, just dance your heart out. Until next Tuesday. Iâm out shopping for more pink⌠Bye
Emma xxx
P.S. Did you know the most gorgeous tutus are found at London's most treasured dance stores? Just a thought to get your day started. Maybe a visit to London? I do love the Tube⌠but train travel always takes you away.
