Bonjour mes amis! It's your favourite tutu-clad time-traveler Emma, here with another blast from the past! Today we're stepping back in time to April 23rd, 1895, and let me tell you, fashion was definitely not what we see today!
Now, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, tutùs in 1895?! No way!" But believe me, tutus were certainly around! They weren't quite the fluffy, pouffy creations we know and love, but they were the predecessors!
I, for one, have taken this week to explore the "romantic" ballet, as it was called back then. It was like a fairytale! Delicate movements, wispy costumes, and stories about love, loss, and all those things that tug at the heartstrings. And you know what else is amazing about 1895? Train travel. I journeyed to Paris, darling! The city was buzzing! The "Opèra Garnier" (imagine, they just said "opera" in those days!) was abuzz with talk of the ballet. And even better, the Parisian shops were teeming with fabrics! You know me and my fabrics, don't you? I had to sample everything. It was like being in a dream! Such elegant colours, delicate silks, and delicate embroideries.
Let me tell you about some of the lovely things I spotted while I was shopping:
Bustles! Oh, how I just adore a good bustle, darling! This week I tried on the most delightful "tutu" which would've been seen on the "petit rats," as they called young dancers. It wasn't the typical romantic, soft tutus that we associate with ballet, but it did have a whimsical quality. The little bustle in the back! And the beautiful lace.
Blouses: Oh, these beauties! The 1895 blouses were just the dreamiest of white! Delicate layers of chiffon and tulle, trimmed with the sweetest lace you ever did see.
Hats: Oh my dear friends, the hats! The most extravagant bonnets, full of beautiful fabrics, bows and feathers. You could wear something just as beautiful on stage or to your local "salon" in a Paris theatre.
Now, about our favourite fashion: Let me tell you, the ballerinas I met weren't wearing actual tutus, at least not how we know them. These are called romantica, and were made with soft, billowing, tulle and chiffon fabrics, very wispy and graceful. And just a slight hint of layers and layers, in those delightful pastel shades, all adorned with delicate laces. They really were beautiful! They were very different from today, of course, but the essence of a ballet costume was still there!
So, if you're wondering, dear reader, where it all began... Well, my lovelies, you're on the cusp of ballet as we know it! In fact, it’s only 5 years away! That's just a blink of the eye in the grand history of ballet! And who knows, darling, maybe we'll all be sporting bustles by next week?
And until next time, cherchez la tutu, dear friends! I shall continue to search for all those pretty details from 1895 (and other time periods!)
P.S. Keep a look out on www.pink-tutu.com for this week’s pictures of the pretty ballet outfits. There are also lots of photos from my latest time-traveling escapade to Paris. And of course, be sure to subscribe to the #PinkTutu newsletter so that you don’t miss a single ballet adventure!
Stay stylish,
Emma
