Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and frilly! Today, as always, it's Tutu Tuesday, and we're taking a trip back in time to the glamorous world of ballet in the year 1895. Now, you all know how much I adore a good time-travelling adventure with my trusty pink tutu (and the occasional cheeky train ride!), so grab your favourite cuppa and settle in as we explore the ballet scene over a century ago!
You might think 1895 wouldn't have had tutus quite like the fluffy, billowing wonders we adore today. Well, you'd be partly right. Whilst tutus were a staple for ballerinas back then, they weren't the same kind of flamboyant statement. Picture less "Pink Lake" and more "Pinkish Lilac". More refined and delicate, these tutus were primarily for classical ballet.
Imagine a scene in Paris, darling. It's August 6th, 1895, and we're at the illustrious Palais Garnier, the Parisian Opera House. A performance of "Giselle" is about to commence, the air thick with anticipation. I just have to see this one. I'm especially eager to catch a glimpse of the new prima ballerina, Marie Taglioni! Imagine, graceful and nimble, her movements ethereal, she pirouettes on pointe in her billowing, single-layered tulle skirt. Her tutu is just the right touch of feminine, elegant, and… just a bit dramatic for my liking. Perhaps a splash of pink would have made it truly divine!
Talking of Parisian glamour, I simply must tell you about the shops! There's so much on offer for the discerning dancer – exquisite ballet slippers with exquisite embroidery, hand-painted tutus, even those delicate feather boas that tickle the ankles and make you feel like a feathered dream! One thing I notice, even though 1895 is much more "structured", the clothes, the hats, the sheer volume of fabrics they use, well, I think they were trying to create a theatrical vibe all the time. A little too dramatic for my taste! I think that's what I love most about tutus – they offer that exquisite combination of softness, playfulness, and elegance without the dramatic overdoing it. And that brings me back to the most important question of all... why isn't everyone wearing a pink tutu? We have a good selection online and on Pink Tutu Avenue - even a "Tutu Thursday" pop-up shop where I hand select tutus for those brave enough to stand out in our town... because, let's be honest, tutus are not for the faint of heart!
Now, if you'll excuse me, darlings, I must be off to grab some refreshment at the "Salon de Thé", which, by the way, has some gorgeous floral patterned wall paper. I've already managed to pick up some lace to create the next trend – a lace and tutu fusion for next season's performance.
Do stay tuned for next week's Tutu Tuesday post! I'm hoping to get hold of one of those delicate, pastel coloured "crinoline" slips for a bit of Parisian flair in my upcoming Derbyshire ballet.
See you soon! Remember, life is too short for boring attire!
#Emma
P.S. Did you know that there is a wonderful new dance craze here called "the Cakewalk" which everyone's doing at the ballroom? It involves elaborate footwork and a sort of flamboyant strut - imagine it! The tutu's a must, and in my humble opinion, the whole affair needs more pink!
