Bonjour, mes chĆ©ries! Itās your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here, and Iām so thrilled to be back with you all for another week of #TutuTuesday.
Itās been a rather whirlwind week, darling, hopping around the globe. Youāll never guess where I ended up this timeā¦ drumroll please Paris! Honestly, I could get lost in the sheer je ne sais quoi of this magnificent city! Itās an absolute dreamland for a girl like me, with its breathtaking architecture, adorable cafes, andā¦ whispers ā¦ endless couture! But today, my dears, we're taking a little trip back in time, all the way to 9th May 1905, to delve into the history of the tutu!
I simply adore taking a look at the fashions of yore. They hold such an exquisite charm and elegance, donāt you think? So put on your fanciest tea dresses, pour yourself a spot of Earl Grey, and join me as we dive into the fascinating evolution of the tutu.
(Just a quick reminder to all my lovely readers: if youād like to know more about this, or any of the tutu stories I share, just pop over to the āAbout Usā section on my website for a little historical rundown! I try my best to ensure my facts are correct, although occasionally the mysteries of the past do remain, and in those cases I'm always happy to play with some imaginative flourishes, as long as it doesn't stray too far from the facts! After all, we are here to celebrate tutus and that glorious dreaminess, darlings!)
On this date, my dearest readers, the Ballet Russes were in the middle of their glorious run in Paris. The dancers, oh my! Simply mesmerising! They're revolutionising the dance world and causing a real stir amongst the Parisian elite, particularly those with a keen eye for fashion. It's like a storm of beauty has swept across the capital, with every single performance overflowing with colour and movement, a dazzling celebration of the human form.
Can you imagine the sheer magic of watching these performers gracefully flit across the stage, their silken tutus billowing around them? It must have been absolutely spellbinding, like a scene out of a fairytale. You'll forgive me, darling, for the poetic ramblings, but there is nothing that captures the true wonder of the stage as much as the human body in motion! It simply brings my soul alive!
Speaking of tutusā¦ Let's take a trip back in time, my loves. Remember when the tutu was basically a short, fluffy petticoat over a long, gathered skirt, much like those fabulous crinolines of the Victorian era? Those tutus, as delightful as they were, weren't really allowing those dancers to twirl and leap with as much freedom as we see nowadays, were they? Thankfully, by this date, 9th May 1905, the world was changing!
There are a number of influences that have pushed the evolution of the tutu. And this day, in particular, is the birthday of the world's most famous ballerina of all timeā¦ Anna Pavlova! How glorious is that, darlings?! She was truly iconic, inspiring generations of ballerinas. As for those tutusā¦ oh, darlingā¦ I simply cannot sing their praises enough! So light and breezyā¦ with the most stunning shapes... It makes a girl just want to dance and leap through a meadow in a sari of pure joy, I promise you!
You see, my loves, there are so many amazing ballet dancers and designers whose work has shaped the evolution of the tutu, and it's quite the journey from its humble beginnings as a short petticoat to the exquisite designs we see today, each one showcasing both strength and beauty. Can you imagine what it took to create such ethereal silhouettes with nothing but a few layers of tulle and a skilled seamstress? It is pure inspiration! And donāt forget about those beautiful *bouquets, my dears! A perfect complement to a dazzling, graceful dancer, in a gorgeous tutu!
I confess, my love for ballet is absolutely infectious!
On a day like 9th May 1905, you know what else was exciting? Shopping! Oh my! Can you imagine being in Paris in the Edwardian era? There were stunning dresses with beautiful beadwork and lace embellishments and shoes that would make your feet sing, my dears! And don't even get me started on the millinery! Feather boas, delicate bonnets and feathered hats... There were hats galore! All those beautiful women looking fabulous and so elegant... My heart simply burst at the sight of it all!
But as always, I am drawn back to those splendid tutus, their graceful form capturing every subtle nuance of movement on stage, a beautiful tableau vivant for all to admire. Every detail matters, even the placement of each piece of fabric, and even down to the little ribbons and laces... ahhhh... such meticulous detail and perfection.
Well, darlings, it's time for me to hop off the blog and take a look around this beautiful Paris! Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com and keep your eye out for my next #TutuTuesday. Perhaps weāll take a trip to Italy? Or maybe Iāll pop over to a Russian ballet! Let me know what you want to learn more about, in the comments below, or on my Facebook page, where I post a lot more about all of my amazing experiences, and of course all the glamorous outfits!
Until next Tuesday, my dears, wear your most sparkly shoes and remember: everything looks better in pink!
Love and tutu-hugs,
Emma xoxo
