Hello, my darling Tutu-lovers! It’s your favourite pink-clad ballerina, Emma, back again with another historical dive into the captivating world of the tutu! Buckle up your dancing shoes, darlings, because this week, we're journeying back to the enchanting era of 1897!
Oh, how I do adore a trip on the train, especially when it's carrying me through time to a past where tutus were taking centre stage, albeit in a slightly different form than the frothy masterpieces we see today. I must admit, I am terribly partial to a train journey, with its genteel carriage compartments, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the tracks, and the charming view from the window, with rolling hills and quaint countryside rushing by. Truly, there's no better way to get one's creative juices flowing, particularly when one has a penchant for tutus as pronounced as mine!
Imagine, dear reader, arriving in the city of Paris in 1897, a vibrant metropolis humming with artistic energy. One can almost smell the fragrant bouquets at the opera houses, feel the plush velvet under one's fingertips at the theatres, and hear the excited chatter of Parisian socialites discussing the latest fashions. Today, it seems everyone's talking about Isadora Duncan. Now, she might not be wearing a tutu, but she is pushing the boundaries of dance, showcasing her revolutionary style that breaks away from the traditional ballet form. Quite revolutionary, darling, don't you think?
Speaking of revolution, December 21st, 1897, was a remarkable day in our story, seeing as the first performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ever took place! That's right, dear Tutu enthusiasts, the iconic ballet we adore so much made its debut in St. Petersburg, Russia, bringing magic, delight, and of course, twirling tutus to the world! Now, I wouldn't be me if I wasn't picturing myself on the stage that evening, gliding through the snowflakes as Clara, or perhaps as a sugarplum fairy, swirling in my pastel-pink tutu! Ah, to be there, dancing amongst those legendary ballerinas, and to witness the enchantment Tchaikovsky's music evokes, even now, decades later!
Speaking of the sugarplum fairy, did you know the romantic tutu - which we still cherish today, featuring its flowing layers of tulle, wasn't fully established back then? While earlier forms of the tutu already existed, they were still very much evolving!
You see, the original "tutu," if you could even call it that, was very simple, practically a skirt! But throughout the 19th century, they became more elaborate and flamboyant. By the end of the century, we see the "romantic" style blossoming, becoming the epitome of elegance and ethereal beauty. The layers of tulle, creating a fluffy cloud-like silhouette, the romantic style represented the transition of the tutu from practicality to artistic expression, just as fashion was evolving from functional wear to something truly fashionable and whimsical. Oh, I can just imagine myself gliding across a grand stage, my layers of soft tulle billowing around me, a breathtaking visual ballet spectacle for everyone to enjoy!
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to slip into a tutu, dance with the graceful ballet dancers of that era, and perform under the gaslight glow of a grand Parisian opera house! Don’t you think it's simply enchanting? Imagine a world where everyone, not just ballerinas, wear tutus - wouldn’t that be absolutely delightful? Perhaps we could make that a reality, little by little!
Let me know your favourite tutu moments from this trip back in time! Until next Tutu Tuesday, keep twirling, keep smiling, and remember, life's a bit more magical in a tutu! And always remember, darling, you look lovely in pink!
XOXO,
Emma
