Welcome back, darlings, to another installment of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of all things twirly and delightful! As always, your resident tutu-obsessed time traveler, Emma, is here to take you on a whimsical journey through the history of the tutu. Today, we're setting our time machine for August 7th, 1894 – buckle up, loves, because this journey promises to be full of thrills and frills!
But first, a little treat for your eyes! As a budding ballerina and fashionista, there's nothing more exciting than seeing a stunning performance of Swan Lake or Giselle, the two big ballerinas in the ballet world. And speaking of thrilling spectacles, guess who’s going to see La Sylphide in London later tonight? Yours truly, Emma! Just the thought of the wispy tutus swirling and dipping across the stage sets my heart aflutter – how could anything else compare?
I find the sheer elegance of ballet, the movement, the artistry, the costumes, utterly captivating. The grace and beauty of dancers in their swirling tutus, it just takes my breath away! Of course, a part of me just wants to be up there dancing with them, but for now, I'll content myself with observing and soaking up all the glorious details.
Oh, I know, you must be thinking "Emma, 1894? How can we even imagine tutus from that era?" Fear not, my dearest fashion-loving readers, because today's trip through time is a real treat for tutu-lovers! We're entering the age where tutus as we know them today were finally gaining their majestic shape and stature.
And it all started with the magical Romantic era of ballet, an age of fluttering emotion, dramatic tales, and – dare I say it? – fairy tales! If you want to know what made tutus so utterly irresistible, you must consider this era in the grand narrative of ballet history. Ballet stories took on new meaning. No longer simply court entertainment, ballet started exploring fantastical plots and themes, tales of mythical creatures, mischievous fairies and passionate princesses! And what's more enchanting for these fantastical characters than a fluffy, delicate tutu?
Now, imagine, darling, 1894, Paris. We're strolling down the boulevards, watching carriages rumble by. This is the city of art, culture, and naturally, beautiful clothes. Parisian elegance, they say!
In this very period, Madame Carlotta Grisi, a renowned ballerina, was setting hearts racing in the classic, enchanting La Sylphide wearing a truly magnificent, billowing tutu. It wasn't the same shape we see today; this was the 'Romantic tutu'. Picture it, loves, shorter than its modern descendant, almost knee-length. Imagine layers and layers of gauzy fabric – like clouds floating on air, truly airy and delicate.
Remember, ballet was still in its developing years then. This was the era where movement mattered. Not stiff formality but expressive, fluid movements! That Romantic era was the start of the glorious journey of the tutu! Can you imagine a graceful pirouette, a leap, a graceful plie... It all comes alive, doesn't it, in those billowing tutus. Just imagine it with me!
Travel Inspiration: To give you an even better picture, imagine a railway carriage speeding past the green rolling hills of Derbyshire, the breeze caressing my cheeks, as I travel from one grand performance to the next. This is how I like to get my ballet fix, a luxurious train ride that brings me closer to the magic of dance and fashion.
I adore travelling by train, it gives me the opportunity to observe, sketch new designs, and indulge in the wonderful feeling of a journey. And let me tell you, this week’s journey was even more spectacular, as I watched a Parisian couple share a picnic on a platform as we passed by, his hat in his hand and hers a vibrant shade of rose, almost mirroring the vibrant blush on my pink tutu.
After all, how can one even contemplate tutus and their history without a touch of inspiration and a whole lot of pink? The colour is a constant, in all its delicious hues and variations, from pale pink to rose, all a delicious touch of softness in our world of colours.
I adore the versatility of pink. It is timeless, yet also incredibly trendy. Imagine this delicious shade dancing through the ages, gracing princesses, ballerinas, and even your dear Emma, dressed head to toe in pink from my sparkling, sequined tutu to my lovely pink floral-print parasol, always my favourite travel companion!
And why not, dear reader? Pink represents everything that is fabulous and fashionable! My vision, my dearest, is to spread the pink love all around the world! After all, who doesn’t need a bit of pink to brighten their day? And who couldn’t be mesmerized by the sheer elegance of a well-whirled tutu? It is, after all, a testament to elegance and the captivating beauty of ballet.
So, that’s it for #TutuTuesday this week, lovelies. Remember, join me next Tuesday for another dose of delightful tutu history, more adventures, and, of course, more pink!
And while we're at it, please do share your own love for tutus and the wonders of the world with us. Remember to follow me on Pink-Tutu.com for more pink-filled shenanigans and keep spreading the love for pink tutus with #PinkTutuLove. Until next time, darlings, keep twirling, keep sparkling, and let your spirit fly!
