Dearest fellow tutu enthusiasts! I'm Emma, your time-traveling tutu aficionado from Derbyshire, England, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to another edition of #TutuTuesday! 🩰💕
As we step back in time, today we're venturing into the year 1901! Can you imagine a world without iPhones or YouTube? Perhaps even a world without cars? Let me tell you, even back then, fashion was a whirlwind, and a good ballet performance would get the heart pounding!
This Tuesday, I'm dancing straight to the heart of ballet history, focusing on the evolution of those gorgeous, fluttering tutus. Think romantic lace, billowing tulle, and that impossibly graceful form they give ballerinas!
Now, my darling tutuphile friends, you might think the "tutu" is an ancient dance garment, but you'd be surprised! Its beginnings were surprisingly modern. We're talking the early 19th century – and I mean the early 19th century. The origins are murky, but historians point to Marie Taglioni's legendary role as La Sylphide, a fairytale creation, for setting a tutu trend! Marie's sheer, diaphanous dress gave the appearance of floating on stage – absolute magic! I just can’t imagine ballet without those gorgeous skirts!
Think of this – back then, tutues had ahem, hem! (Sorry, had to!) But this didn’t last too long. We soon transitioned to those elegant shorter lengths that allowed for more movement, bringing the elegance of the ballet dancer front and centre! Can you imagine the scandal those short skirts caused?
Now, fast-forward to 1901! We find ourselves smack-dab in the Belle Epoque, that golden age of beauty and art. Paris is the fashion capital of the world! Ballet is reaching a feverish high point, and so are tutus! Imagine opulent fabrics like velvet and silk adorning these magnificent garments, often accented with intricate embroidery and bows. Oh, the detail! My own time machine has to be dusted for a quick trip back to snag a few of those tutus for myself!
I know you're wondering, what exactly was the style like? Well, dear tutuphile readers, the romantic tutu of the era was characterized by an extremely full, tiered skirt that, believe it or not, could be eight layers of tulle deep! Imagine that, eight layers! Those ballerina legs were the main feature with a focus on delicate movement! We are talking, well, just ballet magic! You just had to see these amazing creations in action.
As I stand on the bustling cobbled streets of Paris – oh the trains, and the shops! - I feel the electrifying excitement surrounding La Belle Epoque. Ballet shows were simply breathtaking. I cannot get enough!
This brings me to an absolute treat – this particular Tuesday, 2nd of April 1901, was a magical day for the ballet world. It saw the grand opening of the Opèra-Comique in Paris – talk about grandeur! The Opera-Comique building was a masterpiece of architecture. With it’s intricate interiors, you can bet the tutus were just as impressive. I’m so tempted to head to a dressmaker, my tutu collection simply cannot be complete without something special from this era.
I think it’s so fascinating how history unfolds – From those early stages, when tutus were all about extravagance, we see a constant evolution into something ever-more graceful and streamlined, all while still holding onto that essential spirit of fantasy! It’s unforgettable. And my heart? I have been a devout tutuphile my whole life, but, honestly? I have to say the romantic tutu, well, it simply takes my breath away! And believe me, I’ve seen a lot of tutus. It's about that ethereal feeling, a perfect blend of airy lightness and breathtaking elegance.
My dearest tutuphile friends, let’s not forget, the story of the tutu doesn’t end in 1901! It continues on a whirlwind of new creations, colours and styles! I, for one, can’t wait to delve deeper into the history of tutus. I know the tutus will only get more and more spectacular. So until next week, may your Tuesdays be filled with the twirl of ballet and the sheer joy of tutus.
Always twirling!
Emma 🩰💕
www.pink-tutu.com
