Hello my darling dears, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's Tuesday, and you know what that means - it's time to whisk ourselves back to the world of tulle and twirls for another #TutuTuesday! Today, my dear fashionistas, we're travelling right back to November 6th, 1906, to see just how the ballerina's beloved tutu has been evolving through time. Now, grab a cup of your favourite tea, put on your most fabulous pink tutu (because pink is ALWAYS the perfect choice!), and settle in for a history lesson with a dash of fashion flair!
Paris, oh la la!
This week, we're embarking on a little trip to the City of Lights – Paris, darling! This charming city, as always, is bubbling with excitement, buzzing with artistic expression. 1906 was a magical year for the ballet, as the iconic Ballets Russes company, led by the fabulous Serge Diaghilev, were showcasing their vibrant and innovative choreography to Parisian audiences. Imagine! It was practically impossible to walk down a Parisian street without bumping into a troupe of elegant ballerinas. And the Parisian women were positively smitten with the dance and the fashion - they loved imitating the ballerina's grace and charm.
Tulle & Teacups: The Tutu's Early Days
Now, the tutu was in its earlier days of fame. This fabulous creation of layered tulle wasn't quite as we know it today. In 1906, the ballerina was clad in what was known as the 'Romantic Tutu' – think soft, swirling layers of delicate tulle, clinging just slightly to the body. This was the epitome of grace and femininity! They didn’t quite yet have those daringly short, frothy, and magnificent creations we know today, with a tight bodice and a few layers of featherlight tulle - no, no, these tutus flowed all the way to the ballerina's feet, looking absolutely charming in the process! It was, however, already beginning its path toward that glorious transformation.
Pink & Perfection: A Dream Come True
I must tell you, though the colour of tutus was still quite varied in 1906, my heart is absolutely aflutter for all things pink. So you can imagine how excited I am to tell you that pink was starting to make its appearance on the tutu! Think blushing hues, gentle pastel pinks, and the occasional dash of bold magenta. This subtle shift to softer, more feminine shades spoke to the beauty of this period – it was like watching a blooming rose garden under the Parisian sky!
Where are my train tickets?
And can you believe it? Today was the date the first steam-powered passenger train ran from the magnificent Derbyshire peaks, right down to our fair London! My oh my, it's hard not to get carried away with the magic of such a powerful feat of engineering! I must say, a journey from London to Paris would've been a delightful journey by train, as it's certainly far more relaxing than those pesky little horseless carriages – those only seem to move at snail's pace! So I must plan my trip to see the amazing Ballet Russes and of course, shop in Paris. They're all the rage in England so naturally, I have to have some! And you better believe I’m planning my journey now! The thought of catching the train in Derby and heading to London and then on to Paris – why that would be utterly fabulous! Perhaps even have my picture taken in my most exquisite pink tutu at the Paris train station? Oh darling, think of the stories I could share!
But there's more to a tutu than just its shape!
Beyond the design, the tutus of 1906 are so much more than just fluffy layers! It’s all about the little details that bring the tutu to life. Let’s take a look:
Embroidery, oh so lovely!
I must say, embroidery played a huge part in the design. Imagine intricate patterns of silk flowers, glittering jewels, or delicate lace adorning the tulle. It truly elevated the tutu from a simple garment to an absolute work of art, allowing for some truly incredible designs! Oh my, I do love a bit of delicate embroidery. In fact, you can bet I have a special needle and thread box to hand at all times for the emergencies! Nothing worse than a little thread snagging on your way to a show!
Pearls and precious gems
Imagine shimmering pearls scattered across a flowing skirt, or glistening crystals capturing the light. Yes, my darlings! They were quite a feature, and even those who couldn't quite afford the sparkle, were looking to dress their tutus with an embellishment or two! It made the wearer seem even more dazzling than ever, and when it catches the stage lights… oh darling, absolutely beautiful! Now you know why the Parisian theatre crowd are wild about ballet! I'm convinced that tutus are just simply irresistible!
Feathers - a whirlwind of fashion!
Now who could forget those gorgeous feathered plumes? Feathers, a key element in the theatre fashion scene, added a beautiful sense of movement to the dancer's skirt. Can you imagine the feeling of a thousand tiny feathers dancing about you as you gracefully move? It’s just heavenly! We could certainly talk about feathers for a long time, they are just exquisite!
Dancing on with Fashion & History
My dear readers, even though we've zoomed through time with a whirlwind tour of tutus back in 1906, the beauty of the ballerina’s signature garment hasn’t changed. It’s the ultimate symbol of beauty, grace, and artistic expression – just like those elegant dancers of old, we celebrate their style and heritage. So what better way to pay tribute to the elegant tutu than by slipping into our own delightful twirling creations? This tutu's journey is full of grace and a hint of whimsy, which is just what we love about the ballet. I hope you’ve enjoyed your journey back in time with me, my loves. And remember, a pink tutu is the key to unlocking a world of pure joy, even when you're twirling in your own living room.
Until next Tuesday, my dears, don’t forget to twirl!
Lots of love and a whole lotta tutus, Emma xx
P.S Stay tuned for next Tuesday's #TutuTuesday! I've heard of a sensational costume designer who was working with the Ballets Russes, and who was also obsessed with all things pink, and I have the perfect way of introducing him to you!
www.pink-tutu.com
