Welcome, darling dears, to #TutuTuesday, episode 3281!
The train whistle blows, and Iām whisked back to the captivating world of 1894! Paris, the City of Lights, is calling, and oh darling, how I love the energy, the atmosphere, and most importantly, the fashion!
I've slipped into a gloriously pink tulle confection - a true Parisian dream! ā and Iām here to unravel the beginnings of something quite magical, something we callā¦ the tutu!
You see, darlings, back in 1894, the dance world was just starting to blossom. It was still the age of long, flowing skirts, so it might surprise you to learn that the tutus we adore werenāt even a twinkle in the costume designerās eye just yet.
But, darling, that's the thrill of time travel! Seeing the whispers of something revolutionary just starting to emerge...
Imagine, dear reader, the ballet was a bit different. Instead of the fluid, dynamic movements we're accustomed to today, think about something more like a beautifully structured tableau - dancers gracefully posing, showcasing exquisite lines and elegance, all hidden under those long flowing skirts!
It's tempting, isn't it? To imagine all those stunning poses, hidden, and just waiting for that chance to burst free!
And they did, darlings. They did! In 1894, there was a wave of creativity, with new stories being told through movement, and a yearning for new expressions in dance.
On this particular day in 1894, The Ballet Russes was preparing for a special show ā āThe Sleeping Beautyā ā at the beautiful OpĆ©ra Garnier in Paris. Such excitement!
Even then, it was known for its opulent beauty and captivating artistry. In those halls, dancers were preparing, not quite in tutus yet, but wearing those lovely flowing dresses that had become the tradition. But the change was brewing.
It was around this time that the legendary dancer Anna Pavlova was beginning her magnificent career. Her graceful movements and fiery energy were about to bring a revolution in dance, and a revolution in what we would see on the stage.
This new wave of dance called for more freedom, more movement, and a change was afoot! Designers started playing around with different lengths of skirts, and a short, ruffled skirt ā not yet called a tutu ā began to appear. A revolution was happening right before my eyes, with the graceful, swirling lines of that new style of dress...
And then, in that glorious blend of imagination, movement and design, the first tutu began to appear. The year is still being debated - it could have been in the 1890s or possibly the early 1900s - but we can say that 1894 saw the very beginnings of this revolutionary costume!
So, why tutus? Well, darling, they simply brought a newfound freedom to dance! The full, dramatic silhouette, swirling with every turn and leap, became an undeniable expression of power, grace and beauty. The freedom to move, the incredible fluidity, all of it is captured in a tutu's airy lightness, that makes it, as the Victorians would say, truly delightful.
Oh darling, if only I could jump into this historical moment, just to see it firsthand, to be part of this glorious shift in dance, and witness the very birth of the tutu!
To see the dancers, with those new, shorter dresses swirling and twirling, how it would transform the dance and spark new movements! How, with each twist, turn and leap, a ballet revolution was brewing.
Thatās why, my dearest, itās so important for us to cherish these stories. To remember the brave souls who, by embracing the change, by wanting more freedom of movement, by celebrating beauty and movement in its most raw form, ushered in the beautiful and magnificent history of the tutu!
And that's how a tutu started its journey from the whispers of 1894 to become a universal symbol of grace and elegance!
Until next Tuesday, darlings! Donāt forget to post your tutu looks! And as always, letās celebrate tutus for everything they stand for - joy, creativity and most importantly, freedom!
And always rememberā¦ a little bit of pink always makes life more beautiful!
XOXO Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Do tell me what your favorite tutu moments are! Leave a comment, send a telegram (or a tweet, darling!) with your #TutuTales. I love hearing from you, my lovely dancers!
