Dearest Readers,
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we delve into the fabulous world of ballet and, of course, those wonderful, billowing tutus that make our hearts sing! This week, I'm whisking us back in time to February 23rd, 1897, and as always, we'll be taking a look at the history of the tutu, and how the wonderful, swirling skirts have changed over time.
I'm here today from the grand and vibrant city of Paris, which, as you all know, is the beating heart of ballet. This city oozes elegance, from its cobblestone streets to its impressive grand boulevards, not to mention its enchanting opera houses and majestic theatres. It's the perfect setting to talk about our favourite topic: tutus!
Now, let's rewind back to 1897, shall we? This year saw a rather remarkable theatrical event! Can you believe that, way back then, in February, people were going to see a brand new ballet? They wouldn't have imagined how quickly the world of ballet would be swept away by all the stunning productions and dance movements that are the norm today.
Imagine, darling, wearing a lovely pale pink tutu, just like mine, sitting amongst the fashionable crowds at the Opéra Garnier, enjoying the magnificent ballets. I'm told that a new one, called “The Swan Lake”, has taken Paris by storm, with the leading lady dressed in a captivating white tutu that symbolizes her elegance and grace.
In fact, around 1897, a very special change happened in the world of tutus! Long, heavy tutus which had been around for many decades before, began to transform into the shorter, layered, multi-layered, and airy tutus, we are so familiar with today.
These new, shorter tutus were created specifically to enable ballerinas to move freely, so they could dance with agility and lightness - can you imagine the joy for those dancers! We've truly come a long way from the grand, billowing tutus of yore!
These changes weren't just about dance movements either! These new tutus highlighted the grace and fluidity of the ballerina's movement, and the focus moved onto creating the most spectacular effects, which is something we still marvel at today, don't you think?
For me, seeing a beautiful tutu take flight onstage, with every movement highlighting the talent and artistry of the ballerina, is truly a sight to behold.
Even better, 1897 brought about the arrival of colour into the world of tutus! Of course, we have white as our eternal favourite, but who can resist a touch of deep blue, or a burst of golden yellow to really add something special to a performance?
This change of tutu design also went hand in hand with the rise of the legendary ballet greats. Imagine the stunning costumes, designed especially for them, shimmering under the gaslight stage lights! These were the true pioneers who brought the art of dance to the heights of its brilliance that we celebrate today.
So, darling, I hope you're feeling inspired by this trip back to 1897. Maybe, in your own wardrobe, you'll have a tutu you'd like to showcase, one you might wear with pride when going to watch a beautiful ballet!
Speaking of which, I've got to rush! I'm heading to the ballet, myself! I hear it's another breathtaking performance, and the theatre's bursting with vibrant, swirling pink tutus!
Until next Tuesday, may your week be filled with twirling and tutus!
Emma
P.S. Be sure to check out my other blog posts here at pink-tutu.com - this is number 3400! There's something for every ballet fan, from vintage fashion and historical figures to modern interpretations of tutu style. See you next week!
