Hiya lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, bringing you another fabulous installment of Tutu Tuesday from my latest trip through time! Today we're hopping back to 1904, a glorious era in ballet and fashion, known as the Belle Époque - oh, how I wish I could waltz around in that era's finery!
So, grab a cuppa (or a glass of champagne, it is the Belle Époque after all!), and let's journey back to a time when the ballet tutu was evolving into the stunning, romantic style we see on stage today.
Now, you all know I adore a good tutu, but did you know they haven't always been the airy, twirly masterpieces we see at the Royal Opera House today? Back in the early 1900s, they were actually quite different, with long, trailing layers of fabric! Can you imagine?
Think big, voluminous skirts that would probably be mistaken for wedding gowns in our era! The dancers were basically living, breathing meringues! I love those early tutus - so dramatic! They're not for every occasion, mind you.
It wasn't until the 19th century, just a few years before our time-hopping adventure today, that we started to see shorter, tighter tutus that better revealed the ballerina's lines. It was truly the dawn of a new age for the ballet tutu! And speaking of the dawn, we need to discuss that glorious color!
You see, before 1904, dancers typically wore pale pink, almost peach-colored tutus. Imagine a cloud of sugary sweetness – absolutely divine! But in 1904, something exciting happened: pink became a star! Yes, the glorious shade of pink, bright and bold, began to grace the stages, showcasing the beauty and grace of the ballerinas in a whole new light! And let me tell you, this colour, in its different shades, has been inspiring me and, dare I say, the entire world ever since.
I truly believe in pink's magical power to elevate any ensemble. Pink is to ballet what the red dress is to Marilyn Monroe – an iconic style statement! I just know if I had a time machine, I'd take a little trip back and give some gorgeous pink tutus to the ballerinas in 1904. Can you imagine the joy on their faces?!
Today's the day I'm whisking you off to the gorgeous Palais Garnier, the stunningly beautiful Paris Opera House! Built in 1875 and boasting breathtaking architecture, it's the heart of ballet in France. You can't imagine the glamour. We'll arrive in the evening and take in the incredible buzz of excitement. The ladies are so beautifully dressed and it all looks so "Parisian", it's truly beautiful. We're even treated to an evening performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" at the ballet! Imagine! So beautiful, so elegant, so fairytale-like!
I can feel my feet itching to take to the stage just watching. That music, the graceful leaps, the elegance, the pure passion of it all – the sheer magic of ballet truly takes you on a whirlwind journey through time, leaving you breathless.
My tip for this visit? Do take the opportunity to go shopping! Parisian boutiques at this time are full of incredible clothes. You know I’m going to add to my ever-growing collection. And perhaps snag a pair of those darling, stylish, but comfy heeled ankle boots I love from my last journey!
To make your trip truly authentic, try making a gorgeous ballet-inspired confection – think meringue swirls on a cloud of buttercream icing, decorated with edible sugar flowers and glistening with sparkling sugar beads.
We’re living in an exciting time for ballet, but remember the roots of the elegant dance, that is ballet, are right here – with this era. Don't forget to share your ballet fashion moments with me, darlings. Use the #TutuTuesday hashtag, and don't forget to come back next week, when I'll be dancing through time, back again.
Til next time! 🩰💕
Emma
