Hello my darling dance devotees! Welcome back to my weekly ode to the most magical garment on Earth, the tutu! It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another trip through history – and this week, my train ticket's taking me all the way back to 1907! 🚂
Hold onto your tiaras, ladies, because we're about to dive into a time when the tutu was still a fledgling darling, just beginning to bloom into the iconic symbol of grace and elegance it is today. And let me tell you, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! 🌎
It’s a rather breezy morning in Paris, a touch chilly, but the Parisian sunshine is already making its debut, casting long, shimmering shadows across the cobblestone streets. You know what that means? Time to hit the boutiques for some serious shopping, darling! 🛍️
Now, don't let the early 1900s fool you – fashion in Paris was anything but tame. Think swirling silhouettes, bold colours, and intricate detail. Hats? My word, the hats! We’re talking feather-trimmed fascinators, flamboyant veils, and enough embellishments to make a tiara blush. 😉
And, as for the tutu, well, it’s still finding its feet. You’ll see plenty of variations from the ballerina’s practice dress, more commonly worn as a ‘demi’ - a shortened, fitted skirt - rather than the long, layered tutu we adore today. This is what I've come to learn on my fashion explorations. In 1907, there is such a great variation of shape, that it’s simply breathtaking to see! 🤯
Oh, the stories these tutus could tell! I imagine them swirling across the stages of the Paris Opera, the ballerinas a kaleidoscope of movement and colour under the gaslight shimmer of the stage. Imagine the audience entranced, eyes widening with every pirouette, every grand jeté! 😍
What I find truly captivating about this period is the sense of adventure in the ballet world. New choreographies are springing up left and right, pushing boundaries, and demanding new forms of expression, both for the dancers and the tutus.
It's the golden age of experimentation and innovation. I'm not surprised this is the era where the ‘Romantic Ballet' era is thriving. The ethereal, light and almost otherworldly style truly lends itself beautifully to the lighter style tutu and choreography, don't you think? 💖
For a girl with a love for pink and tutus, what a delightful place to be. There’s magic in the air. The city feels full of excitement, filled with dreams. And just look at that delicate, powdery shade of pink - the 'pink’ of the era - gracing a satin evening dress! You can see why it's captured my heart - just look at the exquisite detailing of this delicate and luxurious fabric. The pink in the fashion around me simply echoes the colour I'm wearing and I am delighted to find that it perfectly complements the shade of pink of the tutus worn by the dancers here in the city of lights. 💗
It seems like everywhere I go, I see ballerinas in all shapes and sizes twirling around in the latest ballet school. In this era of history, ballet, fashion, and even Parisian streets themselves, are a joy for every ballerina at heart. The most glamorous part of the day, as you’d expect in the City of Lights, is heading to the ballet itself! ✨
I always find myself glued to the stage, mesmerized by the ballerinas’ stories told through graceful leaps and delicate pointe work. The delicate whispers of tulle and the sweeping beauty of movement – it truly makes you feel like you’re witnessing something special, a timeless story unfold before your very eyes!
In fact, it’s today – 7th of May – that the iconic ‘Giselle’ premiered! This, dear readers, is a show I’ve just simply had to see for myself! The tale of a peasant girl who is tragically betrayed by her love – it's filled with a romantic sadness that echoes the tutu itself, a delicate piece of clothing representing the vulnerability and beauty of dance. 💔
As you can see, dear readers, I’m completely smitten with my time travelling in 1907. It’s given me so much inspiration, reminding me that the love for ballet and tutus is timeless. Perhaps I will find my next dance outfit inspiration for Pink-Tutu in this fabulous Parisian era! 💅
But remember, dear dancers, you don’t have to be in a grand theatre or an exotic historical era to wear a tutu. We've seen just how adaptable and exciting they can be through our exploration. So, embrace the whimsical and unleash your inner ballerina! 🌸 And as always, if you've got any questions or comments about this historical journey, please drop me a line! 💬
Stay fabulous, my dearest tutu-loving friends! 💖 Until next Tuesday, I shall continue my adventures across the time-space continuum – a pink tutu is an excellent passport to any historical epoch! 😉
Keep twirling! 🩰
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
