Welcome back, tutu lovers! This is Emma, your pink-tutu-clad, time-traveling blogger, back again with another #TutuTuesday journey into the fascinating history of ballet tutus. Today, we're travelling back to November 5th, 1895 – a date that's bursting with historical events! Can you believe it's already my 3,332nd post on www.pink-tutu.com? You truly are the most wonderful, supportive community!
Right now, I'm writing this from the most amazing Parisian tea salon! Just imagine, darling, little cakes with pastel icing, elegant porcelain teacups, and the air filled with the intoxicating scent of jasmine tea! I am truly living the dream.
To understand what was happening in the world of ballet tutus on November 5th, 1895, we need to take a trip back a bit to the 1880s, to the legendary Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova. It’s impossible to talk about ballet fashion in this era without mentioning her. The tutu designs started to get so much shorter. I mean, who would have thought that the long romantic tutu would be overtaken by these playful, whimsical mini tutus?! Well, the ballet world was undergoing a huge revolution, and Pavlova was at the heart of it! Her graceful, airy movements were revolutionising ballet choreography and, naturally, the way these incredible women wore their costumes. And the designs? They were becoming lighter, flowing, and exquisite. Talk about fashion revolutions!
Now, back to November 5th, 1895 – just imagine the excitement bubbling under the Parisian sky as ballet performances are going on everywhere! Today’s highlight is, of course, the grand première of 'The Sleeping Beauty'. I bet those audiences were spellbound! You can just picture the ballerina who was playing the role of Princess Aurora – she would have been like a floating fairy in a shimmering, short tulle tutu! That kind of grace is just something to behold! The tutu of this time period really highlighted the beauty of every single movement – so captivating!
And don't even get me started on the beautiful, hand-painted corsets and the delicately designed bodices – this was the era of lavish elegance. Just try imagining how stunning it would have looked as the ballerina's figure appeared and disappeared under the delicate fabric – I simply cannot wait for our next time travelling ballet adventure!
And let's talk fashion! We have the incredible fashion magazine Vogue, a real revolutionary force for the advancement of fashion, which began publishing just 2 years before this momentous November 5th. You can be sure it was jam-packed with designs for those fabulous new short tutus! My goodness! They were truly leading the way!
The fin de siècle, this wonderful era! The elegance, the refinement, the stunning costumes – it’s simply impossible to tear myself away from this enchanting time period.
But speaking of times and fashion… let’s fast-forward just a few years and talk about the rise of the ‘tutu-themed’ outfit. Even back then, the elegance of ballet and its influence on the fashions of the day is beyond measure. Imagine – it's practically a revolution happening right before our eyes!
But how does one bring about a revolution in fashion? I’m so excited because I'm going to let you all in on my plan! And this involves you! Now, let's talk about how we can make tutus accessible for everyone! I know what you’re thinking - that this is simply crazy! What if… we embraced the spirit of ballet’s elegance and started rocking our own tutus! The world needs more pink tutus! It’s the most amazing way to make a statement! This is the time! I’ve planned my own, unique, fashion project - a “tutu takeover”!
Now, as the sun is about to set on this enchanting Paris, I’ll let you all go with this thought. Don’t think of it as “costume” – think of it as an art form. If ballet could embrace the evolution of the tutu, why can't we?
We need a tutued world! Join the movement! And let's meet back here next Tuesday for another journey into the glorious history of ballet and tutus! Stay glamorous and embrace the spirit of dance!
Lots of love, Emma xx
