Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu! Itâs Tuesday, which means itâs time to delve into our weekly trip back in time to uncover the glorious evolution of the tutu â the pinnacle of graceful, twirling fashion!
This week weâre venturing all the way back to December 30th, 1902. Itâs a blustery day in London, a brisk chill cutting through the city, and Iâm practically shivering in my fluffy pink coat - but all will be forgiven when I hit the warm embrace of the Royal Opera House! The grandeur of Covent Garden is just breathtaking, and I can practically feel the anticipation in the air for tonight's performance of "Giselle" by the esteemed Russian Imperial Ballet.
Just imagine the excitement, the rustling of silk programmes, and the whispers of hushed conversation, all building up to the first twirl, the first lift! I adore how the elegance of ballet never goes out of fashion, and I just have a feeling this evening is going to be something special!
Now, let's talk tutus, darlings! What would "Giselle" be without those ethereal, billowing tulle skirts? This performance would be one of the last where we would see the "Romantic Tutu", and it's easy to see why! Itâs a long, floating masterpiece - a fluffy, soft cloud of layers upon layers of tulle.
Oh, and did you know? The Romantic Tutu made its grand debut on stage right here in London back in 1839, at the very same theatre weâre about to step into! Can you believe it? This timeless piece of fashion was practically born in the heart of the city! Youâd be forgiven for thinking these delicate skirts were always a part of the ballet scene, but they werenât. Before the romantic era, dancers graced the stage with their skills and beauty while dressed in long, form-fitting skirts.
And let me tell you, darlings, this ânew lookâ back then created quite a stir! Everyone was smitten! Imagine that moment - stepping onto stage, a swirl of diaphanous layers and the sheer elegance of it all, while allowing for such movement!
As I watch the rehearsal happening at the back of the stage, the air seems to dance along with the dancers in their exquisite romantic tutus. It's not just the tutus that embody the magic of this era â itâs everything!
This is a time when âfemininityâ is celebrated like no other, with soft, romantic hues, elaborate floral decorations and flowing hairstyles. Itâs as though the stage itself was a garden overflowing with loveliness and grace. They wouldnât even have dared to have those hard, sharp pointe shoes we see today â they would have danced in more comfortable, padded footwear with soft leather soles, designed for beauty and artistry. The very essence of this period is a âsoftly, softlyâ approach!
For this reason, this style is incredibly close to my heart, itâs as beautiful as a blooming rose! The lightness, the elegance and the romanticism of it all⌠just imagine how stunning it must have felt to perform in those airy costumes, moving across the stage like a dream!
But oh, the world changes, darlings! With new ballets came new fashions and the Romantic Tutu gradually took on a new form, the âClassical Tutuâ, still clinging onto the essential beauty but making its entrance around the late 1800s. Think more shorter and shorter skirts, showing a little more leg!
It's a trend weâre definitely going to see more of, right here at Covent Garden. If you happen to find yourself in London next year, darling, I highly recommend popping into the museum housed within the theatre. Youâll find yourself swept back in time, immersed in an era where tutu history was made! I absolutely love that the museum boasts so many historic tutus â it's a wonderland of costume history, a treat for the eyes and a reminder that fashion really can stand the test of time!
Now, letâs bring this trip back to the present, darlings! While I must admit, the Romantic Tutu has a special place in my heart for its sheer elegance, I just can't resist a fabulous pink tutu! That little burst of vibrant colour always brightens my day! And I know just the perfect boutique downtown for my next pink tutu⌠you can bet Iâll be taking pictures, sharing them online and perhaps even getting a few twirls in before I get back to our time-traveling adventures next week!
But before I dash off, letâs chat about our current events. Today is December 30th! As we move closer to New Year's, everyone is filled with hopes and dreams. I simply hope to spread joy and beauty through my blog, one twirl and one pink tutu at a time!
Till next week, darlings, and remember â keep those tutus twirling!
Emma, xwww.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Be sure to follow me on all your favourite social media platforms for your daily dose of tutus, fashion and ballet inspiration! Letâs spread that pink love! #pinktutu #tututuesday #balletlife #fashionista #girlythings
