Hello my lovelies! 💖 It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday from my time-travelling adventures! I'm wearing my favourite pink tulle tutu today, it's the perfect way to feel utterly and utterly feminine and let’s be honest – nothing quite says "whimsy" like a tulle explosion. I am going to talk all things tutus today because as you all know I am just a little bit obsessed.
Today I'm stepping back in time to the late Victorian era, 1899-11-14. I travelled back on the Orient Express to the heart of ballet in Europe! I love that old steam train – it’s just a perfect elegant vehicle for travel when you are trying to get around quickly. Today I was in Paris which was so much fun! You know it's like stepping back into the most glorious art-deco fairy tale - all swirling petticoats, silk bonnets, and of course, the most beautiful ballet shows! I even bought a silk fan myself.
A Century of Tulle:
I absolutely love learning about ballet's history and especially its development in Europe. Just picture the exquisite tulle, delicately hand-stitched, becoming the most breathtaking dance garment ever. This was all done in a flurry of feathers, flowers and flourishes to set off a ballet performance, and this style is so much part of my own style – we wear beautiful frocks and try to look as good as the girls on stage – maybe not quite as gracefully as the ladies at the Opera in Paris - I’m afraid I am more “dance” than “dancer”, but who can resist wearing tulle for a day out! But, let's get into it - I hope this blog helps with you understanding what a beautiful ballet costume it really is, and why it has been part of our history. It's amazing what they’ve created for dancers on stage, it's truly inspiring, you guys.
What Was It Like Then?: A Look at the Late 1800s
Imagine a dance stage in a Parisian Opera House, ablaze with shimmering chandeliers, and with swirling billowing fabrics of all kinds, every bit exaggerated with flounces and petticoats to create just that amazing dramatic flair of that late 1800s style. Tulle is truly part of it all and always a vital part of a show for women dancers on the stage, although, some men in those times used a rather fetching ballet look too, which was quite something to see. Tulle really just lets the dancers dance, you know – like a glorious fabric ballet around a dance performance and they look absolutely phenomenal as a result – with their legs and bodies at perfect angles as they move! Just as amazing as the ballet is how beautiful and flowing and romantic these skirts look, because ballet and romance do go together – who could say no to that!
Let's Dance Through Time!
You know I can’t resist time traveling with you, my lovely friends and we will find our way around Europe to discover the different stages in the tutu history - from those earliest designs of 1800s all the way into today! But the tutu has always been like the dress of choice – whether the long, bell-shaped tutu, and later the ‘tutu-tulle’ for stage performances, and they looked amazing, you know, really stunning. And that’s what I like - the beauty and elegance they add to the show, they make everything look so dramatic, you really see that wonderful feminine side and who can resist that! And remember my dearies – always wear pink ! 💕 It's the colour of confidence, joy, and, well, just plain fabulousness! 😉
I can't wait to tell you more, this is just the first part. What was so lovely was how I saw real live ballet shows, with ballerinas gracefully gliding across the stage with these absolutely exquisite skirts swishing. A perfect contrast to the stiff and elaborate dresses worn in the everyday by women at the time! Ballet brought a sense of lightness and grace!
Ballet is a Powerful Form of Art
As I stand here at this little bistro just around the corner from the ballet house – well you’ll have to visit next week’s blog to get to Paris and my secrets I’m so thankful that the legacy of ballet endures, just like the lovely history of this amazing garment – the tutu! And who knows - the tutu might just come back into fashion soon – and then, I shall be on the forefront of the whole fashion trend. I do love my little skirt so, so much, as you know.
What to Do Until Next #TutuTuesday:
* I suggest putting on some romantic tunes. Put on your fanciest frock. Remember those early ballerinas with the little bell-shaped tutus that went down to the knees and looked divine, don't you think? And that iconic little style - a sign of great performance – ballet will always capture hearts as those wonderful stories that can take us far beyond where we are. It's magic, and I’m always trying to be in that world. And yes – wear pink – my dearies - that’s your best tip for this week! Now off I go to another adventure and I'll let you know about the Parisian ballet scene – Next #TutuTuesday we will have lots to talk about – Until next time you amazing guys - stay gorgeous, stay stylish, stay pink! 🩰💕 *
(Post 3542, Pink Tutu Website, 2023)
