Hello, my lovely tutu enthusiasts! It’s Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu fanatic, back with another blast from the past for your weekly dose of Ballet Tutu History. Today, we’re taking a train ride – oh, the joy of the train journey! - back to February 19th, 1901, a time when the romantic ballet was in full swing and the tutu was an elegant and enchanting part of the performance.
I've just stepped off the train in Paris, darling, the fashion capital of the world! This city simply buzzes with excitement. The cobbled streets, the perfume wafting from charming little shops, the sound of laughter echoing from bustling cafés, it’s all just… magical! Of course, I couldn't resist a detour to the fabulous Bon Marché department store before heading to the opera house for tonight's show. Such a splendid collection of hats! The feather boas and silk gloves are simply irresistible.
Tonight, I'm excited to be seeing a performance of "La Source", a ballet choreographed by the legendary Marius Petipa, at the Opéra Garnier. Imagine a ballerina pirouetting in a tulle skirt that looks like clouds drifting over a moonlit sky – that's the essence of this enchanting era! Tutus during this time, particularly the Romantic era, were all about romanticism and ethereal elegance, a bit like the fashion we see today with the sheer, layered looks that are so popular.
Speaking of tulle, it was truly the star of the show back then, and I’ve got to say, it still takes the cake! You’d have loved the elaborate detailing of the tutus in the 1900s, think layers and layers of gauzy tulle, exquisitely draped and adorned with delicate embroidery and sequins, with the colour palette often swirling with shades of ivory, cream and powder blue. It was such a far cry from the bare legs and leotards of the early 1900s! I wouldn’t trade those dreamy tulle gowns for anything.
Don’t forget, though, that fashion is all about embracing different eras and finding that balance that works for you. It’s all about self-expression, you see? And while we can appreciate the grand elegance of the past, we shouldn’t be afraid to add our own touch to our look. Think, maybe a pop of colour against that billowing tulle?
Here's another fun fact for you. The iconic white tutu, a staple in ballet today, wasn’t as common as you might think in the early 1900s. Ballet dancers actually favoured soft pastel shades of blush, lavender, and light pink. But let's face it, pink always looks good, so it was only a matter of time until that became the dominating colour!
Back in 1901, Paris was humming with creative energy. Impressionism was flourishing, artists like Renoir, Monet and Degas were creating their masterpieces, and dance and music were equally celebrated. And ballet was absolutely one of the centrepieces of the city's artistic scene. Can you imagine?! It would have been quite the spectacle.
And speaking of spectacles, my lovely tutu friends, you really should go and watch the show "La Source" sometime. It is one of the ballet productions that encapsulates this era's charm perfectly, full of lovely dances, romantic melodies and flowing tulle. I’d take a train journey anywhere for that, but of course, I always look fabulous in my pink tutu and it makes every trip extra special. It's all about embracing that inner ballerina spirit, and expressing it through our unique styles, right?!
Remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com next Tuesday for another Ballet Tutu History lesson. In the meantime, spread the pink tutu love!
Love, Emma
