Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, here with another peek into the glorious history of the ballet tutu! 🎀 As you all know, every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday, a chance for us to delve into the enchanting world of tutus, exploring their evolution, and the amazing stories woven within their layers. This week, we're travelling back to 22nd March, 1898. Grab your tickets and your finest lace gloves, darlings, because we're stepping onto a whirlwind of Parisian elegance!
Oh, La La, Paris! 🗼
Today's journey whisks us away to Paris, the dazzling heart of the ballet world! The City of Lights has always been the undisputed queen of fashion, and 1898 was no exception. Imagine this: horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping through the streets, elegant ladies adorned in lavish gowns and stylish hats, and the air buzzing with the excitement of new theatrical productions. Oh, the magic!
I simply adore the elegance of this period. It’s the time of the Romantics and, of course, a truly enchanting era for ballet! This is a time when the ballet tutu was gaining its elegant, iconic silhouette, moving away from the earlier Romantic period’s long, billowing skirts. Picture a cascade of layers of tulle, gathered at the waist to create that beautiful bell-shaped shape – utterly dreamy, wouldn’t you say?
What to Wear? A Glimpse into 1898 Fashion
We're not just talking about tutus here, darlings! Fashion in 1898 was a celebration of grace and femininity, a symphony of ruffles, lace, and intricate embellishments. Imagine billowing sleeves, delicate silk blouses, and the elegant lines of the “S-bend” silhouette – a graceful, sweeping curve from head to toe. It’s a period of decadent elegance, a perfect time to don a vibrant shade of pink. 💖
For a special outing, like a theatre visit or even a stylish tea at a Parisian café, imagine a beautifully cut dress with delicate lace trimmings, or perhaps a beautifully tailored velvet coat. And naturally, a delicate hat, adorned with flowers, feathers, or a touch of silk, is an absolute must! 👒
A Visit to the Ballet! 🩰
My time travel budget for this trip allows me to indulge in a performance at the Paris Opéra – a glorious ballet house that’s always on the list for every dancer. This magnificent theatre, a masterpiece of architectural grandeur, has been a mecca for dance enthusiasts for centuries. Stepping into the ornate interior feels like entering a world of grandeur, where elegance and grace rule supreme.
The performance itself? Imagine dazzling choreographies set to beautiful classical music! We're talking Tchaikovsky's soaring melodies, Strauss's dreamy waltzes, and the drama of Wagner's epic music – it simply sets the stage for some absolutely stunning ballet!
Ballet Tutu Fun Facts
Did you know that the word "tutu" isn't French at all? It's thought to be derived from "tutu" a slang word in Romani language – which just adds to the captivating history, don't you think? 😉
Speaking of history, it was during this era, my darlings, that we see the birth of the demi-pointe. That’s the incredible skill of balancing on the tips of your toes, with the beautiful pointed shoe and soft, graceful movement that characterises modern ballet. We truly owe a debt to the dancers of this time!
On This Date, 22nd March 1898…
I’m going to admit something that’s not always exciting in history but for me, a serious fashionista and lover of tutus, is of interest. It was on this date that the British House of Commons discussed the Dress Act. It was a move to ensure working women who wore 'unsuitable' clothing would face a penalty and potential prosecution. 🤯 This seems wildly unfair and outdated now, of course, and goes to show how much women have had to fight for the freedom of fashion and their rights in the workplace, but imagine all those women forced to wear stiff, impractical clothing and forbidden to show off their beautiful fashion flair? What a travesty!
So next time you twirl in your favourite pink tutu, darlings, remember how much those earlier ballerinas and all those women had to face in order to embrace their right to their own style! And that’s precisely why my aim is to empower you, every Tuesday and beyond!
#TutuTuesday: Pink Power for Everyone! 💖
From Victorian salons to Parisian theaters, we've been on another incredible time-traveling adventure through #TutuTuesday! Remember, you can find more incredible ballet facts and tutus on our website, www.pink-tutu.com, and don't forget to check out our latest video. Don't forget, you can leave me a comment here about this blog post, your favorite tutu memories, or what you'd love to see next. I'd love to hear your ideas, darlings, and please don't hesitate to share your own tutu moments using the hashtag #TutuTuesday! Remember: every day is an opportunity to twirl and embrace the fabulous, and pink, world of tutus.
See you next week for another amazing time-traveling adventure! 🚄
With much love and pink tulle,
Emma 🎀
