Greetings, darlings! Welcome back to my humble little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu. Today marks #TutuTuesday, and I'm so thrilled to be whisking you back in time with me, dear readers!
You might know me as Emma, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time-traveller, but you might not know that I'm from the beautiful county of Derbyshire, England, and have always adored ballet, shopping, and fashion since I was a wee girl. Of course, nothing delights me more than tutus, those magnificent symbols of graceful movement and ethereal elegance.
Now, fasten your dancing shoes and get ready for a magical journey as we twirl back to the year 1899. Buckle up for some fascinating history, a peek into the world of ballet back then, and, naturally, some fabulous fashion moments!
Paris, darling, Paris!
Today's date is October 31st, and I'm whisking us off to the very heart of the ballet world, Paris. The city is buzzing with life - and theatre performances! Just last week, I enjoyed a phenomenal show by the Parisian Ballet Opera. Let me tell you, my dear readers, the costumes were magnificent!
A glimpse into Ballet in 1899
You wouldn't see much pink on the stage just yet, but what they lacked in pastel hues, they more than made up for in extravagance and detail. Imagine the grand gowns adorned with intricate beading and feathered accents, the bold colours - emerald green, sapphire blue, and shimmering gold - catching the stage lights! They were like a feast for the eyes, and truly stunning.
Speaking of costumes, let's talk tutus. While the tutus of this era wouldn't be immediately recognisable as what we consider a tutu today, they were still evolving! The romantic tutus, with their billowing skirts, were beginning to give way to more fitted, graceful silhouettes. Think of it as the dawn of the "classical" tutu we know and love today.
I was mesmerised by the elegance of these ballet gowns, the way the skirts would flow and twirl with each step. I felt a twinge of longing to slip on one myself, even for a single pirouette.
From stage to street
The influence of ballet on fashion was undeniable! It was truly inspirational for those designing and creating fashion for the streets of Paris at the time. This year has seen beautiful silhouettes inspired by the flowing, layered gowns worn by ballerinas on the stage. Think elaborate fabrics and luxurious trims. Ladies' skirts were often made to gently flare outwards, echoing the billowing shapes seen in ballets. This wasn't limited to evening gowns!
While most women at this time are embracing practical, elegant dress styles, there's an ever-present hint of a dancer's graceful grace woven into their fashion. Even if you aren't gliding across a stage, you can always add a little touch of elegance and twirling inspiration to your everyday style. This is how you feel utterly fashionable!
Shopping and Fashion Delights
Oh, but we must not forget about shopping, the ultimate delight! Paris is a treasure trove of beautiful fabrics, elaborate millinery, and, of course, captivating accessories. The newest fashion trends, many inspired by our darling ballerinas, are gracing shop windows all around the city. The ladies of Paris take their fashion very seriously!
Personally, I discovered a truly wondrous hat shop near the opera house. I can't wait to try on some of the beautiful creations there - just imagine a grand pink velvet hat, complete with delicate feathers! That's an idea for another post, perhaps! Don't worry, dear readers, I'll share some of my favourite discoveries with you all later in the week!
Time for a Farewell Bow
There's so much to tell you about ballet history in the world at this time - the beauty, the fashion, the theatre! But my time-traveling adventures for this week are nearly complete, so I'll be heading back to my own time, though the thoughts of 1899 and its fabulous, fashionable women will linger with me for some time to come.
But before I depart, my darling readers, I leave you with this: always strive to express your individuality and creativity in your style. Let your imagination take flight, just like a graceful ballerina taking the stage! Perhaps you too might be inspired to embrace your own inner pink tutu moment. After all, as they say in my beloved Derbyshire: “A little pink goes a long way."
Until next Tuesday, darling!
P.S. Don't forget to subscribe to my website www.pink-tutu.com to make sure you don't miss any of my future #TutuTuesday posts. See you all next week! I've just finished a grand total of 3540 posts about Ballet Tutu History so far and I'm still not tired of tutus! So until next time, enjoy your day!
