Hello, darling Tutu Twirlers!
Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog - post number 3728 on www.pink-tutu.com. It's me, Emma, your time-travelling tutu-obsessed friend, straight from the heart of Derbyshire! I'm always thrilled to be here on a Tuesday, twirling back into the history of the most wonderful garment ever invented!
Now, today we're heading to Paris, my loves! I simply can't resist the Parisian fashion scene, can you? Oh, how I long to flit through those bustling boulevards, my pink tutu swirling around me, taking in the sights and the sounds. It's simply divine!
And on this date, June 9th, 1903, the fashion scene was truly bursting with inspiration! What did the fashionable Parisians, the elite of society, have to wear? They were in a whirl of lace, frills, and silks, much to the delight of this little time-travelling ballerina! Imagine, darling, floor-length skirts with intricate ruffles and shimmering embellishments, cinched at the waist with a wide velvet sash. Those colours, my loves! From blushing pink to the richest emerald greens, the fashionable ladies of the day were an absolute sight to behold.
But of course, we're here to talk tutus, aren't we? 1903, it's a little early in the history of the tutu as we know it today! Remember, darling, that tutu history is a slow and beautiful ballet of its own, and the shorter, more billowing tutus were yet to grace the stage. But this doesn't mean there was no tutu action!
On June 9th, 1903, ballerinas across Paris would have been sporting what we would call the tutu romantique. Now, this wasn't quite the 'en pointe' tutus we know and love. These were elegant knee-length affairs with more flowing, billowing skirts, made from tulle, cotton, or gauze. It wasn't quite as airy and light as what we see in 'Swan Lake', darling, but still an iconic piece of ballet fashion in its own right.
What makes this tutu romantique so fascinating is its historical significance. Imagine, it signifies the transition between the heavier, restrictive ballet skirts of the past and the revolutionary shorter, flowing styles. It was the beginning of a change, a move toward greater freedom of movement and expression, an essential element of the beautiful and demanding ballet we know today!
Now, this tutu was all about celebrating beauty and grace. Think layered skirts, flowing fabrics that would billow and twirl around the dancers, just begging for those dreamy pirouettes and graceful adagios. This is what the ballet dancers were doing, dancing a ballet with beautiful costumes that embodied movement and elegance, something we can truly admire today!
Of course, to be in Paris, on the 9th of June, 1903, meant to see the ballet greats of the time in action! We're talking about stars of the Paris Opera, the pinnacle of ballet artistry! Think delicate and flowing movements, stunning choreography that captured the imagination. Now that, my loves, is what makes my heart skip a beat! The Parisian stage, brimming with graceful leaps and intricate footwork, with the delicate silhouette of a tutu gracefully dancing in the light - that's a sight I'd love to be experiencing!
But I have a little secret to share, my loves, something I discovered while time-travelling... imagine a Parisian theatre, bustling with fashionable guests, the air filled with anticipation, the music swells, and... a burst of vibrant pink! The most wonderful shade of pink you've ever seen! You're looking at the tutu romantique in the most divine shade of pink. Imagine that!
Unfortunately, dear darlings, we don't have photos of it from that precise date, but let's imagine together, shall we? The tutu romantique, the gorgeous ballerina, that vibrant pink tutu, oh darling, just picture it! Isn't it enough to make you want to put on your favourite tutu, my loves? It makes me yearn to spin around a room!
But there's another wonderful thing about this date - June 9th, 1903 was the date the prestigious Paris Opera announced a special ballet program - something called ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. My heart, darling! I'd give my most exquisite pink tutu just to be in that audience!
Imagine the splendour! ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ would be a ballet production, truly exquisite! It would involve all the dancers in stunning costumes, with the lead ballerinas adorned in those delicate tutu romantiques. Oh, to see them flitting and swirling in those breathtaking creations, creating stories of love and magic with each graceful gesture. You simply can't imagine the beauty, darling!
So, dear Tutu Twirlers, we may not have seen those tutu romantiques in full technicolor glory on that date, but just picturing them, twirling in pink, dancing to the music of Tchaikovsky, makes me swoon! Don't you agree?
I hope this has inspired you to delve into the history of ballet and appreciate the beauty of those tutu romantiques, my darlings! Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some tulle to gather, some seams to stitch, and a pink tutu to put on before my next big ballet adventure!
Remember, darling Tutu Twirlers, the world is a beautiful stage, and everyone has the potential to be a star!
Love always,
Emma
PS Make sure you check back next week for more exciting #TutuTuesday history - there's so much more to explore! And don't forget, spread the love for tutus everywhere, my darlings. Let's make the world a more colourful, playful place, one twirl at a time!
(This blog post can be further developed by adding information about: Emma's pink tutu, her trip by train to Paris, her plans for ballet class, her love for Parisian fashion shops, and anything else that is fitting for her personality and style.)
