#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1896-09-08

Helloooo, darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, back from a fabulous time-traveling adventure! This week's #TutuTuesday takes us all the way back to 1896, to the glorious city of Paris. I mean, where else could you find the very beginnings of our beloved tutus? It's like stepping into a painting, all those dreamy cobblestone streets and charming cafes… But of course, my real aim is the Opéra Garnier – it's just bursting with ballet history!

So buckle up, ladies, because this journey is pinktastically fun!

Post Number 3376!

I’m back in Derbyshire, having just arrived back from Paris, my suitcase bursting with vintage ribbons and trims for my next tutu creation (watch this space for a sneak peek soon, my darlings!).

September 8th, 1896 was a truly grand day to be in Paris, you see, The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow – now, everyone knows the Bolshoi, right? – were visiting Paris. That's right! This was a major event in the world of ballet. I mean, just imagine the exquisite costumes, the impossibly elegant steps, and that intoxicating air of artistic excitement! Oh, to have been there in person…

I bet the Parisian ballet dancers were absolutely thrilled. You know, this is where it all started for tutus! Remember, the classic tutu as we know it really started to take shape in the late 19th century, thanks to those revolutionary ballet choreographers like Marius Petipa. It was a complete shift from the romantic long-skirt styles we saw in the earlier eras. They wanted freedom of movement, to show off those graceful, expressive legs and they really achieved that with the shortened, frilly, voluminous tutus. Talk about a fashion game changer! I mean, could you imagine the gossip at the ballet rehearsals? I bet the talk of the town was all about the new tutus. “Did you see the way Mademoiselle de la Fontaine was turning in that fluffy confection?” Imagine! I bet those ballet dancers were all like: “Pink, you say? Absolutely!”

Fun fact! I spotted a stunning photograph in a vintage magazine that featured the Bolshoi Theatre on this very date! Just picture a troupe of beautiful ballerinas all in their fluffy tutus, poised for their entrance… just breathtaking. And did you know that the colour pink, which is the most beautiful, wonderful colour ever, was just starting to gain popularity as a feminine colour in fashion around that time? How lucky we are, to have this adorable colour in our lives. My tutus, all shades of pink, are definitely going to be the fashion of the day when I time travel back to Paris in 1930!

You know what makes a trip even more fabulous? Trains, of course! A delightful voyage across the English Channel followed by a swanky metro journey in Paris is just the ticket to fuel a girl's creative soul.

Speaking of creative souls… let's chat fashion! The haute couture scene in Paris in 1896 was simply amazing! Think of opulent silk fabrics, corseted bodices, and elaborate hats. I just picture all those fashionable Parisians rushing through the city streets in their fabulous garments, maybe even sporting a tiny, romantic, tutu of their own. The dream!

Oh my, and did you know they even had “fancy dress” balls and parties? Imagine how chic those must have been. It's a shame you can't step back in time to experience such an event… Oh wait, maybe you can! You know, we might have a time traveler in our midst.

I can't tell you all the details about the time travel - that's a bit of a secret (sorry!). What I can tell you is that * *pink is always a great choice! Whether it's a tutu, a dress, or just a feather boa, adding a dash of pink makes everything more exciting and vibrant. **And honestly, who wouldn't want to step out in a vibrant, girly outfit in 1896? I know I certainly would! I bet everyone at that ballet would have turned to me to admire my lovely, girly outfit!

Speaking of girly, this post has really warmed my heart and gotten me dreaming about the wonderful world of ballet! I just love those elaborate tutus. I adore seeing the sheer talent and passion of dancers performing those amazing, beautiful, intricate, exciting, complicated and stunning performances! And hey, it’s only right that we wear tutus and have beautiful, elegant outfits to watch these masterpieces.

You know, if I had the choice to go back to 1896 for a day and wear my beautiful pink tutu – definitely the fluffiest and girliest one in my collection, that would be super fabulous. Oh my goodness, I’d just be dancing all over the place. And imagine all the wonderful gossip I’d be gathering to write in my next #TutuTuesday blog post! Just amazing…

But back to reality – until next time, remember wear your favourite pink tutu and keep that ballet love going!

Love, Emma x

P.S. Did I tell you about the vintage lace I found in Paris? It's just perfect for a brand new tutu creation. I'll post a photo on pink-tutu.com later this week! Don't forget to check back!