Bonjour mes amies! Emma here, your trusty time-traveling tutu-enthusiast, bringing you the latest from the fascinating world of ballet history. Today we're whisking ourselves back to 11th February 1896, a date that’s almost as captivating as the colour pink itself!
This week, we find ourselves in the very heart of tutu heaven – Paris, where the grand Palais Garnier, that iconic building with the sweeping staircase, was the centre of everything chic. It was a time when the whispers of Impressionism were colouring everything from art to fashion. And let me tell you, darling, it was a wonderful time to be alive. The Ballets Russes, which later would burst onto the scene, was just starting to take shape – and those glorious, opulent costumes!
Speaking of costumes… this date, as it happens, holds a very special significance for our beloved tutus! We can't forget our glorious predecessors who paved the way for our tutu-wearing extravaganza. Back then, the Classical Ballet tutu was undergoing a significant shift, becoming increasingly shortened and streamlined, as we see them today, moving away from the earlier romantic designs which tended to be more floor-length and draped. The design emphasis started to focus on lightness and flow, accentuating the dancer's movement and physique, with an even stronger emphasis on revealing their perfect leg lines. This change mirrored the changing styles of the time - it was all about lightness, freedom and dynamism.
You see, darlings, the ballet tutu is an evolving masterpiece. It’s a symphony of fabric and form, capturing the essence of the dancer, much like a perfectly painted masterpiece! And just like fashion, its form reflects the spirit of the times. In the Victorian era, our tutus reflected that grand and elegant sensibility, with all that lovely, layered tulle, almost like a meringue in motion!
Today's tutu, though, reflects a more daring and dynamic energy. The tutus in 1896, on the brink of a new era, embodied the burgeoning passion for speed and movement in all art forms. They mirrored this change by shedding their billowing skirts for the sleeker lines of the contemporary tutus, just like fashion was embracing the S-shaped silhouette and the beauty of movement in clothes.
Did you know that a tutu can be made with hundreds of yards of tulle! It's a real labour of love, an incredible amount of craftsmanship that goes into making each and every one! But the effort, oh my dears, is so worth it, as the results are a wonder to behold. They're simply breathtaking – an airy lightness that dances with the grace of the dancers themselves.
Remember darlings, fashion and ballet are inextricably linked, always playing off each other, one inspiring the other. And what a dance that is! They move like elegant swans, together!
What to wear on this occasion, you ask?
This time period really evokes a classic, chic look! Imagine, a pale pink fitted blouse with puffed sleeves and a white petticoat peeping through a beautifully gathered pink skirt just reaching the ankle. A little white collar would be lovely, and of course, a darling pink bow in the hair would complete the picture.
A delightful outfit, isn't it? Perfect for sipping a glass of sparkling limonade at a Parisian cafe or for attending a theatre performance - but I do believe a pretty little pink tutu is essential for attending a ballet performance! Why else are you even there? We are living our best ballerina life!
As always, darlings, remember – let your inner ballerina shine! Tutu Tuesday never ends! Now, I’m off to a wonderful new adventure. Perhaps next week I will tell you of the iconic dancers and their elegant costumes in Paris at the time.
Keep sparkling! Bisous.
Emma
