Hello, my lovely Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another fabulous #TutuTuesday! Today, I'm taking us on a journey through time, all the way back to 24th January 1905. Can you imagine, tutus in 1905?! It's quite a trip down memory lane, even for this time-travelling ballerina.
Now, let's just set the scene: the year is 1905, the air is crisp and fresh, and the smell of hot chocolate hangs heavy in the air. We're in Paris, of course, the heart of fashion and ballet! You'd find everyone swathed in gorgeous silks and velvets, with bonnets perched atop their heads like dainty birds' nests.
For ballet, it was a time of dramatic romanticism. The tutus were much fuller and grander, crafted with multiple layers of tulle, giving them a majestic presence on stage. It's quite the contrast to the sleek, modern designs of today, but just as captivating in its own way!
Imagine a scene at the Paris Opera: the gilded chandeliers cast a warm glow on the plush red velvet seats. The curtain rises, revealing ballerinas with their flowing skirts, their bodies telling a story through every movement. It must have been simply magical.
This date is particularly significant because, well, not much happened in the world of tutu design! 1905 was still very much in the era of the full-blown, romantic tutu. You wouldn't have found those cute little skirts you see today! And no, they didn't even wear pink! Shocking, I know, but that's the history for you.
Now, don't get me wrong, the ballerinas of the time were absolute legends. The strength, grace, and artistry they brought to the stage, wearing those huge tutus? Well, it just takes my breath away!
Now, imagine stepping back into 1905 yourself. I'm envisioning a scene that wouldn't be out of place in a beautiful novel: A warm Parisian café, where you're sat in a velvet-backed chair, sipping on a hot chocolate while watching the world go by. The music of the theatre lingers in the air, mixing with the chatter of locals. Ah, the romance of it all!
But back to the tutus, my dears! Today, I found myself at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Tucked away in their archives, I discovered some truly fascinating sketches for ballet costumes. And, guess what? One of them actually had a little hint of pink in it! Now, we're talking!
Though, my favourite part of time travelling is indulging in the local fashions. Paris was quite the treat for a tutu-lover like me. The shops were overflowing with all sorts of gorgeous garments – corsets, hats, gloves – oh my! Everything was just so dramatic and luxurious. But, I was quite relieved that tutus were not quite in the trend back then. If I hadn't been here for the ballet, my wardrobe would've had a terrible case of 'overstuffed'!
For all of us with our heart set on those beautiful tutus of the past, fear not! There are so many talented seamstresses out there recreating those wonderful styles. A quick search online can find you a gorgeous custom-made romantic tutu in any colour of your choice (pink, of course, being my favourite)!
As always, my darlings, please share your thoughts on this time-traveling #TutuTuesday with me in the comments! And, remember, to find more inspiration on your pink tutu adventures, be sure to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com! And, if you ever have the opportunity to see a live ballet performance – you've simply got to go! The beauty and elegance of live performance will leave you spellbound, I promise.
Until next week, keep twirling!
With love and a sprinkle of tulle,
Emma.
