Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, and I'm so excited to be whisking you back in time this #TutuTuesday to the 1890s!
As I mentioned in my last blog post, a fancy new train I found at the station took me straight to Paris, which has long been the centre of the ballet universe, just in time to catch the Parisian premiere of "La Belle au Bois Dormant," or "Sleeping Beauty," as you Brits call it! What an absolute treat it was to see the whole production, but particularly the tutus! You see, in the 1890s, ballet took a big leap into the future!
The romantic tutu, the style that reigned supreme since the early 1800s with its floor-grazing, fluffy skirts, was finally shedding its layers for something sleek and exciting! That's right, my lovelies! The tutu, my darling tutu, started shrinking and becoming lighter and shorter, embracing a more streamlined shape. The shorter skirt allowed for a wider range of movement, making for even more dynamic and captivating dance. Can you imagine the wonder it would have been to see all that amazing motion?! It must have been revolutionary!
Now, the key change: This new style was all about revealing the legs! The tutu now clung closely to the waist and ended just below the knee, allowing dancers to show off their grace and fluidity with every kick, jump, and turn. Just divine, wasn't it?!
I confess, there was a bit of a fuss about it at first. Imagine – some ladies were shockingly scandalized to see so much leg on display. "It’s simply shocking!" they huffed, but I knew deep down they were jealous of all the beautiful movements that could be revealed! Honestly, their outrage just made the tutus even more desirable!
As a time-traveling ballerina, I'm always keeping an eye out for innovative fashion choices that can add a touch of whimsy and beauty to life. In my mind, the evolution of the tutu mirrored the changing times: Women were starting to push boundaries, and this change was mirrored in the daring new styles that were appearing. We saw women's cycling attire evolve, we saw shorter hemlines in daywear, and this shortening and tightening of the tutu felt so in line with that!
It’s not surprising, then, that "La Belle au Bois Dormant" with its shorter, tighter tutus became a runaway success. The gorgeous dances were brought to life in the most beautiful way imaginable – by the grace and beauty of the dancers and their dynamic new tutus! The audiences were enthralled!
Oh, and did I mention the incredible costumes?! The sheer amount of embroidery and glittering embellishments on those tutus! I'm pretty sure they weighed a ton, but those dancers carried them with so much grace, their movements simply floated across the stage! Honestly, I felt so transported by the performances!
After seeing the show, naturally, I popped by the Garnier Opera House. It's the most beautiful place! They had so many fascinating shops selling beautiful and colourful fabrics and trim, which had me squealing with excitement! I picked up the softest velvet for a new shawl. My pink tutu needs an outfit that can live up to its brilliance.
You know, after the 1890s, these shorter tutus continued to evolve, evolving in size and embellishments! But for me, the period at the end of the century when the dramatic, floor-length, romantic tutus started disappearing felt like the opening chapter to a new ballet story, a story of empowerment and beautiful movement. Isn't it so wonderful?
So, dear readers, as we wrap up our time travelling journey for this week, I encourage you all to remember: Never underestimate the power of a perfectly designed tutu, be it long and billowing or short and streamlined! A tutu can change everything, and, frankly, every one of us deserves to be swept off our feet by the magic of a beautiful tutu!
Until next week, my darling tutus! Be sure to join me next Tuesday at the same time for a new look into another fascinating period in our beloved history of the ballet tutu!
Yours, Emma
PS: Be sure to check out my favorite stores for exquisite pink tulle - [Store Link One] & [Store Link Two]! And, as always, don't forget to tag me in your pink tutu pictures!
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