Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling guide to the world of ballet. This week, I'm stepping back in time to 6th March 1900, the year when the "new" century dawned, full of exciting possibilities. As usual, my fabulous tutu is accompanying me, a delightful shade of bubblegum pink, fitting right in with the fashion trends of the era.
As a born and bred Derbyshire girl, I can't imagine life without the elegant flow of a tutu - and that's what we are exploring this #TutuTuesday, darlings. We're taking a look back to a time when the tutu was a symbol of grace and beauty - and still very much in its early stages of evolution!
A World of Elegance and Excitement
Now, imagine this: it's 1900, London is bustling with life, horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping along the cobbled streets, the smell of fresh bread and roasted meats hanging in the air. You step into a grand theatre, the velvet curtains framing the stage, the orchestra tuning their instruments with a delicate shimmer. The buzz of anticipation is thick, and then, the lights dim.
The curtain rises. A ballerina steps onto the stage, her figure delicate and lithe, her tutu a swirl of billowing silk that seems to float in the air. A collective gasp from the audience - it's a vision of enchantment, a dream made real! Isn't it simply exquisite, darlings?
A Brief History Lesson
We need to start, of course, with the origins of the tutu in ballet. Prior to the mid-1800s, ballerinas danced in rather voluminous skirts and dresses that hindered their movement, especially those elegant "ballon" jumps that we all love! Enter the visionary Marie Taglioni! She's considered to be the "first lady" of the ballet, and for very good reason, she introduced a much shorter skirt. And guess what? She helped the ballet take off, reaching new heights of popularity and glamour!
By the turn of the 20th century, tutus were gaining momentum as a staple in ballet. Their design became a little more varied, but still very elegant. There was a range of styles - shorter tutus perfect for showcasing quick footwork and longer, flowing tutus that really showed off those dramatic extensions and lifts. It's worth noting, too, that colour was taking centre stage! White became the dominant colour in tutus because it highlighted the beauty of the ballerina’s movements. But I'm not surprised to see other colours finding their way onto the stage. It’s a testament to the imagination and creativity of designers - it's quite exciting to see these bold choices come to life!
Let's Travel Together
The thrill of seeing a performance on a stage like the Royal Opera House, or even a charming smaller theatre, is something that takes your breath away. A good ballet performance can bring tears to your eyes, transport you to other worlds, and simply be absolutely joyous and uplifting. The energy is infectious - you'll want to stand and applaud. And for a night, you are surrounded by something so enchanting that it feels magical. You might even discover you've found your new favourite dancer, darling!
But it isn’t just the dance itself that's so wonderful. Ballet has inspired so much in fashion and style. In 1900, we see the influence of ballet reaching far beyond the stage. In everyday wear, you’d find beautiful fabrics like lace, tulle, and silk in softer colours taking inspiration from those graceful ballerinas and their enchanting tutus! You’ll find some dresses incorporating those graceful ballet moves in their designs. It’s just captivating to see how those beautiful ballet styles are inspiring new fashions and creating such elegant trends all around us!
Pink - A Universal Love Language
This month, let’s focus on that perfect pink! Just like the tutus, pink was becoming a big fashion favourite. Its romantic and whimsical nature captured the spirit of the era! The light pink tutu and delicate fabrics made ballet seem both ethereal and accessible - it's really a symbol of hope and feminine grace. We need more pink in our world darlings!
Let’s Keep It Elegant and Fashionable!
Every week, as a fellow time traveler, I'm going to take you on these journeys through the captivating world of the ballet. Join me next week for more adventures in fashion, history, and everything pink!
Do join me and have a marvelous week!
Lots of love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
