Hello darlings, and welcome back to another exciting edition of my #TutuTuesday blog, your one-stop shop for all things tutu-licious! It’s Emma here, your bubbly ballerina guide to all things pink and twirly. Today’s post marks a grand total of 3485, can you believe it?! You've come to know me as the one who's obsessed with ballet, loves a bit of travel by train, and believes every single one of you needs to give in to the pink tutu magic - you just haven't tried it yet, darling.
Now, we're taking a grand trip back in time today. I’ve just hopped off the Orient Express (nothing like a scenic train journey to get those creative juices flowing!) and landed in Paris - the very city where tutus reigned supreme. Imagine, darling, the romance! The cobblestone streets, the Parisian cafes, and the exquisite tutus – oh, it’s enough to make a ballerina blush!
And wouldn’t you know it, we’re stepping back to October 11th, 1898, exactly one hundred and twenty-five years ago, and what a date it is! Today, we're celebrating the legacy of a legendary ballerina, who paved the way for the fabulous dance icons we adore today – Madame * * * (I’m just teasing! This post isn’t about divulging all the secrets. A ballerina always keeps some things under wraps. * ). But darling, I promise you, she was a stunner! A true icon! She graced the Parisian stage with her dazzling elegance, making hearts flutter with her every graceful step. She had everyone swooning in her exquisite pink tulle - imagine how fab that must have been!
Now, to truly appreciate the beauty of ballet in this era, we need to think about the fashions of the day. Can you imagine tight corsets, floor-length gowns with elaborate embellishments, and tiny little hats perched on top of ladies' heads? Oh darling, it was a world where women needed their tutus, a sweet rebellion against those constricting fashions! In that sense, it really was an early ‘free the nipple’ era, just replaced with the free the legs!
This period marked the golden age of classical ballet, with its rigorous training and focus on perfect technique. It’s how we got some of the incredible dances you can see today. I’m thinking the "Sleeping Beauty" (the pink is so very perfect) and "Swan Lake," and don't even get me started on those beautiful 'tutus,' darling, that are just a symphony of romance, grace and elegance! It makes my toes tingle!
On the other side of the spectrum, there was a new wave of modern dance coming out too. It’s so interesting seeing those styles evolve! Of course, they never gave up on tutus entirely. We're talking about graceful movements, expressive interpretations of the human condition and (here comes the twist, darling) more practical clothes than the typical costumes, maybe even with a hint of streetwear! But at the time there were these beautiful shows popping up all over. Like imagine the thrill of seeing an artist push those boundaries, expressing emotion through movements! It was just so inspiring.
Speaking of expression, darling, the joy of tutus extends beyond performance! Let's be honest, a bit of fashion history is essential when it comes to this blog. They were quite an explosion in style. These intricate masterpieces weren't just a dance costume - they were the very embodiment of the Romantic era, a vision of femininity and ethereal grace! But in that fashion scene in 1898 there were still some challenges. Some were thinking - how can we make them more elegant, more refined? How can we add an even stronger hint of that ethereal touch that the Romantics adored? So, we had these intricate and exquisite patterns and delicate embellishments that made these beautiful tutu creations so dreamy and almost fantastical - as if you were floating right into a fairytale!
For those who adore a touch of history in their fashion choices, 1898 offers some truly lovely and lasting influences that continue to define our understanding of ballet costumes, darling! They are a symbol of an era when beauty and grace took center stage and continues to influence the creations we wear on the stage today. And let's be honest, darling, nothing says romance quite like a delicate swirl of tulle.
Let's rewind back to the current day for a little bit of inspiration. I just had the best ballet experience. I popped into the studio at the start of the week, ready to train and work my tutu. You can’t help but fall in love with this art form every time. It’s all about commitment, dedication, and the love of every beautiful pirouette, a ballet dancer's most elegant secret! It was incredible seeing other dancers pushing those limits, experimenting and learning. You can see that they really feel the emotion of their dance! The elegance, the power, and the passion; it’s all there! A good class, though, requires the perfect outfit. What I need? The answer: Tulle! That exquisite pink, delicate tutu! I find a good class makes me yearn for the world's stage, so of course, I had to find myself a fabulous dress. Oh darling, I’ll tell you all about that in my next blog! But now we’re returning to our historical journey, I have so many exciting posts about this era planned for the coming weeks!
But let's go back to that Paris adventure, shall we? Paris truly embraced that romance of fashion in 1898. The shops were filled with the softest pastel hues. Think pale blues, dainty peaches, and of course, every single shade of pink. Those colour tones, that femininity, and that beautiful craftsmanship just felt like Paris' signature style - and you've guessed it, darling - tutus were part of that beautiful expression of style too! I can’t wait to show you some amazing designs.
Paris and tutus have such a magical link - the twirl of a ballerina under the twinkling Parisian lights. Oh, darling, those city scenes come to life with an ethereal beauty, a real testament to the magical world of ballet! So next time you step out on the Parisian cobblestone streets, maybe in your own twirly tulle skirt (you’ll get it soon darling!), think of that romantic Parisian spirit - you're walking the very streets that witnessed the history of some of the greatest dancers the world has ever seen!
Until next Tuesday, my dears, I shall be travelling around Europe, experiencing more historical adventures in the pursuit of the most glorious and extravagant tutus ever created. Don’t forget to keep up with me at www.pink-tutu.com and let me know what you think in the comments below. Love you, darling, and never stop twirling!
