Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling blogger Emma, back with another extraordinary journey through history. Today we're whisking ourselves back to July 21st, 1903 - and trust me, you'll be surprised what's in store for us.
Buckle up, darlings, because this week's journey will transport us right to the heart of the glamorous ballet world. You wouldn't believe how much ballet has changed! Imagine, my world of pink tutus and shimmering sparkles wouldn't exist yet! What would you even call the costumes of today? More like fancy, flouncy, flowy garments – they look nothing like what we know as a tutu! But that doesn’t mean it wasn't full of magic!
Today's stop? None other than the majestic Paris Opera House, my absolute favourite for a night out. It's the epitome of elegance, don't you think? I've snuck into the city on the back of a charming Parisian train journey. (Do you know, the carriages back then felt almost as luxurious as a royal coach!)
The Parisian fashion scene is something else, let me tell you. You'll never guess, darling, but the ladies are embracing something called La Belle Epoque – which means "The Beautiful Era," can you imagine? And I must say, they have some truly splendid styles to celebrate.
Picture this: Slinky gowns with daring décolletages, dramatic bonnets, and shoes with such delicate heels you could barely stand in them (not that I would dream of such a thing!). The Parisians are all about fashion and artistry, and so am I! It seems we are practically kindred spirits, you see.
Back to the ballet! The Paris Opera House was at its most extravagant then, and what's more, my dearest ballerina friends - guess who was dancing on the stage? The one and only, Isadora Duncan! Talk about a trailblazer. Forget dancing – Isadora practically defied gravity, she moved with the freedom of a wind-blown flower! And oh, the style! Imagine the world's most beautiful shawl, cascading in flowing folds around her, a little bit poetic, a little bit revolutionary. It wasn't quite a tutu as we know it today, but it was revolutionary all the same.
Can you imagine what she might say if I'd introduced her to my favourite tutu? My sweet baby pink one with the tulle that swirls and spins, creating a dreamy haze? She'd love it, I know. Perhaps it could be my own contribution to the ever-evolving ballet history? Who knows what the future holds? Maybe someday, all of Paris will be wearing pink tutus – one can dream!
While on my fashion adventure, I managed to get my hands on a fascinating piece of history – a photograph from the 1800s showcasing a ballet dancer in a most interesting outfit: a long, flowing white skirt! I call it an 'ancient tutu', my darlings. I love how even the early versions of what we consider "the tutu" had such a beautiful silhouette. Can you believe these designs inspired what we have today?
I'm off to the Theatre des Champs-Élysées – that’s where the magic happens, darlings. Perhaps I'll see the most charming dancer or find the most enchanting fashion trend, who knows? But until my next #TutuTuesday post, be sure to keep twirling, be inspired by history, and wear pink (preferably in a tutu, of course!) Au revoir, mes amis!
Don't forget to visit my blog www.pink-tutu.com every week for another adventure through the history of ballet!
Much love and twirls,
Emma xx
P.S While I was in Paris, I found a shop bursting with the most incredible ballet accessories - delicate hair ribbons, shimmering beaded headbands, and beautiful feather boas. It’s quite enough to make me wish I could stay for months and months! But I know my dear followers are eager for my next exciting #TutuTuesday post, so I’ll just have to bring my finds home to Derbyshire to share.
