Hello lovelies! It’s your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller Emma here, and welcome to #TutuTuesday! Today’s blog is post number 3697 in my ongoing ballet tutu history series! You can find all my posts on www.pink-tutu.com, because why wouldn’t you want to read about tutus, am I right? This week I’m taking us right back to the 4th November, 1902. Now you’re probably thinking, *What could have happened in the world of ballet that would warrant a special blog post for this date? * I’m glad you asked! Let me take you on a trip to Paris, darlings, where it all starts….
Remember how we’ve been chatting about tutus evolving throughout the years? Well, it all starts to take a turn back in 1902 with a performance at the Paris Opera! That’s right - a big event took place on this very date that brought about a brand-new kind of tutu! The tutu romantique, darling. Remember when we were obsessed with la danse and all things graceful? Well, let’s take it back a step even further. Let me take you to 1832. It was then we got a bit bored, with the ballet blanc – I’m talking about the traditional all-white tutu – that’s where the new romanticism era comes in.
It started off in the French capital and this trend went down a treat across Europe! People just couldn’t get enough! They wanted to see dancing so beautiful it was like they were dreaming - that’s how these new, lighter and even ethereal ballerinas came about! These ballerinas were often known for their gracefulness. Just imagine – the ladies in these soft tutus moving across the stage, almost gliding – it must have been so breathtaking! We've come so far since then! Just think how different the tutu looks now compared to that! So how did this romantic era affect tutus, I hear you asking?! You see, before, we used to wear our tutus shorter with layers, and the romantic style – oh my! It got us loving those full, fluffy, tiered tutus! These were so much more romantic than the simpler styles of yore, darling!
What can I say - this is all down to the beauty and lightness of these tutus themselves. If you want an image in your head, think ballerina butterflies flitting across the stage, it’s pretty wonderful! Imagine, darling, these ballerinas are almost touching the stage and giving a performance to die for.
So now back to Paris! The Paris Opera performance I mentioned was at l’Opéra Garnier, you know, the famous one where it all goes down - I was on the train just for this show - it really was spectacular, even more magical than when I visited Paris last month, honestly! It was full of some of the greatest ballerinas, such as Isadora Duncan and Anna Pavlova, dancing away with grace and passion and swoon! they were the ultimate inspiration, wearing some of the most dreamy tutus that would just stop your heart, with an air of pure romance around them!
We even see a hint of this romanticism in costumes today, don’t we? Take a look around you! Some designers and dressmakers are embracing it! Now I love nothing more than a bit of fashion, I could talk about clothes shopping until you’re blue in the face. Well this year was no different!
Do you know the most amazing pink evening gown I saw just the other day - I know it's perfect! I need it! Just wait until I take it for a spin - and with it on? My pink tutu! This really will set me apart in this world! And my new tutu. Darling, I found this absolutely beautiful one just before we left! The bodice is absolutely divine. It was on sale in Harrods and was a total bargain! The pale pink silk looked so fine and ethereal against the ivory lace, and just imagine those big bows! Absolutely to die for! You could practically smell romance. My inner romantic is going crazy and I know you guys want to see some pics. So coming soon is a whole post on new tutu styles, you wait until you see how dreamy my new tutu is going to look on our catwalk - with this pink gown I know you are going to adore it!
Let’s travel in time together! Did you know that back in 1902 the first aeroplane was taking flight, it seemed everyone was making breakthroughs in this era, but it was a real struggle for us tutu-lovers as getting a look at all the great new pieces of dance clothing available, especially new tutus in the latest style wasn’t easy, oh but the journey makes it worth it.
There are so many reasons for you to make 1902-11-04 a memorable day and why not do it with me, my little cherubs? There are always special exhibitions you can attend and I tell you, nothing makes me happier than seeing some vintage tutu’s - especially at those private viewings in those museums, darling - they do put on a great display don’t they! Now, I know it is easy to lose ourselves in the history of the ballet but please, don’t think of this post as some dry, old piece of historical record, No! No! Think of it as a big party! – I want to ignite your excitement for the dance of the tutus - you know I like to spread that magic, make sure everyone’s aware of their magic and get everyone, I repeat, everyone dancing with a tutu on, if it’s up to me. And you can definitely take my inspiration - because pink is your perfect match to a tutu - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. So why not? - Why not try one yourself and see what makes you glow! * - This is *your story!
I do hope that you enjoyed this week's #TutuTuesday post! Next Tuesday, we'll be taking a look at one of the most famous ballerina of all time, who happened to have her birthday just a day after our date this week - I know you all want to know who it is! It’s all happening right here, on www.pink-tutu.com and we shall meet here, my darlings! And don’t forget to send in your suggestions for next week’s Tutu History date!
Lots of love,
Emma
