Oh darling! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday adventure! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed time traveller! This week, we're taking a whirlwind trip back in time to February 7th, 1899.
You know I just adore exploring the history of the tutu. The way it's evolved from something practical to a symbol of grace, elegance, and all things girly! This week's date is especially exciting, for in this period, the ballet world was absolutely buzzing!
We've got the Parisian Opera in full swing, a symphony of talent and exquisite costumes, and new productions hitting the stage, each with their own stunning interpretation of the tutu. Imagine billowing, ethereal skirts catching the light, shimmering with elaborate details and rich colours – the perfect stage for dazzling performances!
Now, if you picture a ballerina twirling around on stage in 1899, imagine those beautiful dancers in graceful tutus with layers of soft tulle, each delicate layer fluttering like the wings of a butterfly. Some tutus, even for the time, would be quite simple, flowing freely with little adornment.
However, we wouldn't have been lacking in detail for the ballerinas of that time period, I can assure you! This was a period of elegance and a time when artistry wasn't held back. This meant lots of delicate frills, lovely trims and lace work, and maybe even some glorious satin bows - think fairytale! They may have been practical for the dancers, but even more importantly, these beauties were also a visual delight.
As for myself? I simply wouldn't have been able to resist grabbing some of the amazing vintage outfits I've found while travelling back in time. I can just see myself twirling in a beautifully tailored, delicate, hand-crafted tutu in one of the lavish theaters. Don’t worry darling, my own time travel funds come from a lovely ballet show I saw in Moscow, I get quite a lot from that one, I think I've seen the one production a few times now!
On the 7th of February 1899, there was quite a lot happening to spark the creativity in me. Just that morning I spotted the most incredible Parisian theatre, I absolutely love the details, darling. Just a little aside but I have to say a few words on the beauty of these theatres - Imagine, grand architectural details with exquisite lighting. Every show you visit just oozes luxury. Oh, to dance in those theaters! Imagine what the ballerinas were wearing!
**This date is also super special as this is the time of The Marguerite's 'Don Juan' performance. Can you imagine? And even better? This play had a whole sequence with 32 women in an ensemble costume featuring exquisite tulle! How magnificent! Even just seeing it on a train journey, it was inspiring me to whip out my needle and thread, let me tell you! This makes for such gorgeous fashion history for us all to remember.
I love those elegant outfits from the 1800s and tutus are some of my very favourites! We have some of our own historical collections on www.pink-tutu.com , with some glorious pictures! Have you seen them yet? And my absolute favourites - our exclusive, modern interpretation of this kind of tutu, available to you in pink of course, because pink is definitely always a good idea for all tutu occasions.
Have a glorious tutu-ful Tuesday! **
