Bonjour, my dearest tutu lovers! It's Emma here, back again with another delightful dive into the captivating world of the tutu, those wondrous skirts of tulle that make our hearts soar and our toes point skyward.
This Tuesday takes us back to a time when gas lamps illuminated cobbled streets, horses clopped through city centres, and the whispers of the new century stirred in the air. It's 21st November, 1893, and the world is buzzing with a fresh energy that mirrors the delightful flounces and froths of a perfectly constructed tutu.
From my little time-travelling apartment in Paris (it has a balcony with the most wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower, imagine!), I've found that 1893 is an absolutely magical time for a ballerina's tutu journey! Today, we'll be exploring a moment when the tutu was truly a fashion statement, not just a costume on stage.
Firstly, imagine: the thrill of travelling by train across Europe. It's a grand affair, with polished carriages, charming compartments, and the ever-present clinking of glasses and gentle murmur of conversation. You'd find ladies, especially in France, were quite the fashionistas! Think bustles, think tight bodices with lots of lace, and big, beautiful hats, a dash of velvet for drama, and yes, of course, tulles swirling and dipping, cascading as these elegant ladies took in the wonders of the world.
As I've always said, tulles were a game-changer! They gave ladies an air of whimsical joy and a dash of movement even on the cobbled streets of Paris, London, and Vienna.
Speaking of London, today's date, the 21st of November, was rather an eventful one back in 1893! Imagine this, London’s most fashionable gentlemen flocked to the opening of The National Sporting Club in St James’s! It was a gentlemen's club for the discerning, the glamorous, and of course, the sports-minded! This, of course, is all so extraordinarily fitting as we all know how much the world of ballet is also a sport. Imagine being that chic!
The Club itself boasted an entire room dedicated to its members’ portraits - imagine having a permanent place on that wall, in all your magnificent tutelle-clad glory. Imagine having your photo placed beside the elite of the Victorian era!
I’m always on the hunt for fabulous finds! Today's discovery was truly special - an advertisement for a shop named "La Modes." It’s a true fashion house with the most captivating Parisian elegance, filled with gorgeous *tulle dresses and a rainbow of exquisite tulle gowns! La Modes had an advert proclaiming *“We are showing a magnificent array of gowns for all seasons, all the newest and most delightful fabrics for your elegant eveningwear. Our specialisation? We are experts on creating the finest tulle gowns with delicate embellishment. Come find your perfect fit for a captivating evening. *
You could find all these fabulous creations just a stone's throw from Covent Garden Theatre! Oh how I do love a visit to London and Covent Garden. My goodness, a grand time, just imagine waltzing down the street towards the theatre wearing the latest in tulle fashions!
But even for my dearest ballet-loving readers who prefer staying in and having a cozy evening at home, let's explore how tulle impacted the home life.
Have you seen those delightful Victorian tulle curtains in those sweet cottages? There's something magical about tulle - so lightweight and delicate - it almost transforms into a hazy, soft cloud on the window, inviting you to enter and feel that comforting fairytale charm of the house. And that delicate blush pink colour is so exquisite. You know, dear readers, this just gives me another brilliant idea for our pink-tutu.com online shop - we must have a Pink Tulle Curtains category!
1893 was a pivotal year in the development of ballet and, I'd say, also the year of the tutu! For the tutu lovers in 1893, a beautiful pink tulle dress wasn’t just an item to be admired, but rather a reminder that their hearts were always en pointe - just like us!
This is how the story of the tutu continues. This is the magic that comes alive every time a beautiful tutu swirls through time. Until next time, remember - you, yes, you, can have a world of tulle in your very own life! Happy Tuesday, and do continue wearing those delightful pink tutus!
Love, Emma
#TutuTuesday www.pink-tutu.com