Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you another instalment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. Today, we're travelling back to the 2nd of October, 1894! Hold on to your tiaras, it's going to be a twirl-tastic journey.
This week, my little vintage suitcase is packed with an elegant pink tutu with cascading ruffles - perfect for the glamorous world of 19th century ballet. Speaking of glam, wouldn't you know it, we're just in time for a performance by the legendary Anna Pavlova, the Russian ballerina who captivated audiences around the world with her ethereal grace. Now, darling, I don't need to tell you how important a tutu is to a ballerina. It's the garment that elevates the dancer to a creature of pure artistry. Just picture it - the billowing skirts of a classic tutu, spun and swirled in the spotlight - divine, isn't it?
In the Victorian era, tutus were just beginning to bloom into the stunning garments they are today. There were several styles around at this time. While longer and more elaborate ones were favored for dramatic ballets like Swan Lake and Giselle, the French Romantic Tutu, a shorter, layered tutu, was quickly becoming the preferred choice for lighter, more lyrical ballets. It’s this elegant tutu that makes dancers look like airy fairies flitting about the stage. Oh, and remember, dear reader, while it might be easy to picture our ballerinas pirouetting in delicate pale pink, let's not forget the majestic dark hues of the era: navy blue, forest green, even dramatic burgundy were making their way into the ballet world!
You might think, "Emma, surely you aren't travelling all the way back to 1894 just to watch a ballerina twirl!" Well, my dear, the thrill of seeing a performance like that, with a costume so beautifully crafted, in a world just starting to embrace ballet, is something else entirely. There's a unique magic to seeing how the art form, and the dance itself, takes shape in such an early era. You wouldn’t believe how exciting it was to watch Pavlova gracefully twirl in a tutu that likely had feathers and layers upon layers of delicate tulle.
Of course, a visit back in time wouldn’t be complete without a little shopping expedition. Luckily for me, Paris was my destination for this week's adventures, and you know me, darlings, there's simply no better city to find a perfect tutu! Imagine the joy of exploring the boulevards lined with exquisite shops, my eyes wide with wonder at all the lace and embroidery and…oh, darling! I found a divine, full-skirted pink tutu, with hand-sewn, embroidered blossoms around the waistline. Just the thing to complete my timeless ensemble, don't you think?
Before I say goodbye, darling, I want to remind you - there is something utterly captivating about a tutu. Whether it’s the delicate floatiness of a tulle masterpiece or the intricate, hand-beaded embellishments that give it such a unique elegance, a tutu evokes an ethereal grace and effortless beauty. They can transform a woman into an angel or a princess, and in my opinion, are absolutely perfect for any day of the week!
Oh! It's time for me to hop back onto my time-traveling train, dear reader! Before I go, let me know: What’s your favorite kind of tutu? Don’t forget to leave a comment and tell me all about it!
Until next #TutuTuesday, stay sparkly, my darlings!
With love,
Emma xXx
P.S. I'll be back next week with another journey into the glorious history of ballet tutus.
Don't forget to check out my blog at www.pink-tutu.com, and keep up with me on social media.
Love,
Emma xXx
