#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1894-01-09

Hello darlings! Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! It's Emma here, your trusty tutu-wearing time traveller, and this week I'm taking you back to the year 1894, a glorious time for tutus!

I’ve got to say, this trip is particularly exciting, for it takes us to the very heart of ballet – Paris! The city where tutus truly bloomed, you know. And believe me, there was nothing quite like the French tutus of that era! So put on your fanciest frock, grab a glass of bubbly, and get ready to embark on a journey through time!

Now, imagine a world where the only ballet you saw was in a beautiful theatre – a real treat, wasn’t it? There were no screens, no DVDs, only the magic of live performance! This meant every performance was a grand occasion, a symphony of colours and shapes, where the tutus took centre stage.

Oh, the tutus! In 1894, the French were just embracing the Romantic era, and the tutu designs were every bit as dramatic. You’d see these intricate, layered creations in shimmering fabrics like tulle and silk, swirling and swaying with each dancer’s movement.

Let me tell you, the colours were breathtaking! Delicate pinks, dreamy blues, and the most fabulous shades of lilac – just perfect to match the blush on your cheeks after watching a stunning performance! They were not as stark white as the ones you often see in ballet today. It was all about that gorgeous whimsical softness, that magical sense of "je ne sais quoi"!

And just as you might imagine, it wasn’t all about tutus in 1894. It was also the year when our beloved The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, well, became something truly magnificent, as the Parisian Ballet premiered a grand new version!

This premiere was, you see, a spectacle. Imagine a full ballet theatre packed with the biggest names in the ballet world. It’s easy to see why the Nutcracker is still such a famous ballet today. And don’t you worry about that sugarplum fairy! That character had become a huge sensation, with little girls everywhere wearing tutus with hopes of dancing as elegantly as the character on stage. That is just what we need to aim for here at Pink Tutu!

And speaking of ballet classes, the dancers in 1894 certainly trained hard, spending countless hours perfecting every twirl and arabesque! It wasn’t all pretty and sparkly, mind you! There was plenty of discipline and dedication, and the tutus were certainly a part of that rigorous training! You might have noticed from all my trips through time that tutus change their shape. It’s the fashion, darling, and there are certainly differences in style when you’re training and on the stage!

Oh, what a treat this journey has been! But just as I've arrived in Paris, it's time to move on! That's right, I’ve only been here a moment, darling! Sadly, it’s time for me to leave the Parisian streets and tutus for now, and I must bid you adieu, until next time. I have a whole list of upcoming trips and can’t possibly miss any. The train will soon be pulling up at the station, so I must head on!

Don’t worry, dear readers! We have so much to look forward to in this magical world of ballet tutus! From 1894 to 1950 to the present day, it’s clear: the tutu is always on point!

Remember, you don't have to travel through time to experience the magic of ballet. So put on your pink tutu, join your local ballet classes, and find your own unique dance! And of course, you can always catch up with my Tutu Tuesday posts each week!

Until next time!