Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your trusty tutu-loving guide to all things twirly and delightful! Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! I'm so thrilled to be here on www.pink-tutu.com, bringing you the very latest on the history of our beloved tutu, this week we are time travelling back to 19th October 1897!
Before we embark on our journey, darling, can I just say - how fabulous is a good old fashioned train journey?! Nothing beats the clickety-clack of the wheels and the feeling of the wind rushing past your face, especially with a fab pink tutu on. I have to say, even with my trusty time-travel device, a train always has a certain allure. Anyway, back to our historical voyage!
For this week's journey, I've whipped out my very special pink and white tutu and popped on a rather charming pink feather boa (feather boas never go out of style, by the way, even in the past!). My dear Gran always used to say, "Never travel without a touch of whimsy!" It seems my dear Gran was on to something!
19th October 1897: a time of grand opera houses and extravagant ballrooms! Picture this: gilded ceilings, velvet curtains, and the shimmering lights of gaslight lamps - just imagine! We’re in the heart of Paris, and the air is thick with anticipation. It’s the day of a magnificent ballet premiere.
Now, you all know I have a soft spot for anything romantic and feminine, and the tutus back then were just exquisite! It seems they were quite smitten with a very full, very romantic look - picture layers of tulle, just like the ones they’re wearing today. The Romanic tutu, my dears! The skirt of the tutu didn't just float and billow but rather almost engulfed the dancer completely. This is what they were showing off in Paris!
Just imagine a dancer pirouetteing with all that sheer, silky tulle swirling around them – pure enchantment! And who’s leading the charge in Paris, I hear you ask?
Well, a darling named Isadora Duncan was really making a name for herself at the time. She was all about freeing movement, free dance - but her tutus - they were different from these big Romanic tutus! Her tutus? Oh, they were like a whisper compared to those Parisian tutus - more fluid, more graceful - imagine her whirling like a willow in the wind! Now, her style - she was more of a rebel! A bit bohemian even!
Now, you’re thinking, "Emma, how did you manage to get to see these lovely performances back then?!" Well, darling, you see, the key to traveling through time - it's all about ballet, I swear. Remember, my beloved blog, "pink-tutu.com", is where I share my ballet history passion, and, I mean, who wouldn't want to travel back to the era of elegant tutus and graceful ballet moves, all in the name of sharing this beautiful history? It all seems to tie together so neatly, I'd say! And just as neatly, my little side hustle - I have quite a knack for performing, so I make my living through dancing. My darling Gran gave me a book of lovely Victorian stage tricks for my 18th Birthday, and they really are rather lovely, and, I always make a little money! But this is where the story gets even more interesting,
I made a bit of a pact with my darling Gran (who was a bit of a dreamer - just like me!) about her love for ballet - we travel in time to make her dreams come true - and I always perform under her stage name. A stage name she said - with "Rose" in it, just like her. The ballet community is very loyal, darling - always helpful - so I earn enough to travel back to different time periods for my "Pink Tutu History"! I make quite a few friends in the ballet community, darling - lots of lovely new connections!
Now, back to 19th October, 1897, the stars aligned in a rather glorious way. There was a brand-new ballet production opening - one that captivated Paris's attention. Le Corsaire, a tale of pirates and adventure! Can you picture the incredible costumes, darling? The beautiful Romanic tutus billowing around dancers, the daring leaps, the swashbuckling swords. Just imagining the scene is making me swoon. And those ballerinas - they weren't just performing a story - they were creating magic!
But my dear Gran's love was always for La Sylphide, my darlings! This ballet - she watched it over 200 times - it seems it became quite the cult classic for a little while. And, she even dreamt of getting to the stage someday and having a tutu that had 5 shades of pink in it! "That was her idea, Emma, that's where we're going to get that book - about her 5 shades of pink! "I thought, right away!
Here, on this special 19th October 1897, the world of ballet, it's all about tradition and elegance. This period was really the golden age for tutus and their popularity in the West. The tutus they made back then were more than just clothes – they were a piece of art, darling. It was about the intricate details – the layers and layers of tulle, and those glorious embroidery. All of these became a part of the performance, each swirling, each flutter adding another layer of artistry. You see? It's not just a bit of tulle.
These days, with modern ballet - I see much bolder and playful tutu styles – shorter, lighter tutus that are as exciting as the dancers themselves. You're probably seeing tutus with daring new designs, made of modern materials. I've seen them, darling - they look so different. They aren't those same Romanic ones from the past. I know you probably just have to make your own pink tutu for your new favorite ballet move these days. But those earlier tutu trends... those set the stage! That's my darling Gran's era! My era, of course!
For me, there's magic in the simple elegance of those Victorian tutus – that graceful swirl of layers and layers. They tell a story of times gone by - times when ballet and theatre really was the greatest form of entertainment. And I know - even now, my darling Gran would always say "It is all in the story of the dance." And with each dance, those ballerinas were taking their audience on a magical journey, a journey full of dreams, and passion, and, well - that classic grace, my dears, that we always just seem to love, wouldn't you agree?!
I can just picture the elegant dresses, the gleaming jewellery - that perfect backdrop for those incredible dancers in their beautiful Romanic tutus. What a glorious night it must have been! You know, there’s no end to the stories to be told, darling! Every time I hop back to a new era – the tutu keeps coming up! Always the heart of it all, wouldn’t you say?
Do share with me! Let me know - what are your favorite tutus, darling? And why do you think those romantic tutus just seem to always be around - from centuries ago to our present day? Have a lovely week my dear tutufan friends, and, as always, make sure to twirl your way to happiness! Remember, darlings: wear pink, dance often and don't forget to spread the tutu love!
See you next Tuesday, darlings!
Lots of love and twirls,
Emma xx
P.S. Don't forget to check out our *[Pink Tutu Pinterest Page] (hyperlink to your blog) * - where we'll be posting even more of my favorite photos from my Tutu Time Traveling Adventures. I have some fun new pins for you to explore, darling! Be sure to check out those vintage ballet images, I've even found some old photos of Gran herself! Just beautiful! Remember to follow the page so we can keep up on all of our beautiful fashion moments!
Please note: This blog post uses British English. While the "Pink Tutu" is generally seen as a predominantly Western and North American fashion/dance piece, I believe, using a "Derbyshire, England" persona can help create a distinct and creative angle for your #TutuTuesday blog, along with some "stage" or "travel" based content!
