Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers!
It's Tuesday again, and you know what that means! Time to journey through the captivating history of the tutu, my favourite dancewear, in our weekly #TutuTuesday blog post on www.pink-tutu.com.
I'm your time travelling tutu enthusiast, Emma, straight from the rolling hills of Derbyshire. It's been a thrilling week of travelling through the epochs, waltzing with the ages, and always finding a way to weave a pink tutu into my escapades, much to the delight (and sometimes bewilderment) of the locals.
This week, my Time-Twirling Tutu took me all the way back to 1907. We arrived in Paris, that magical city that oozes glamour and creativity, always a favourite stop for any fashionista. I stepped out onto the cobblestones, my pink tutu swirling around my ankles, imagining myself a Parisian ballerina twirling across the stage. A touch of tulle, and you instantly feel a little bit more beautiful, a little bit more like a fairy princess. It's the magic of the tutu, I tell you!
Now, 1907 is a fascinating period for the tutu. The Romantic Era with its flowing, ethereal tutus was already giving way to the more structured, shorter tutus of the 20th century. But even then, there was a hint of that ethereal femininity that drew me in, and reminded me that tutus have always been an extension of female grace and power.
So, what did I discover on 9th July 1907, in the swirling, swirling history of the tutu? It was a time when ballet stars like Anna Pavlova and Tamara Karsavina, goddesses of grace, were electrifying audiences in Paris. The Ballet Russes was in full swing, presenting their dazzling, innovative productions, their costumes infused with Russian culture and bold design. This new, vibrant choreography led to the rise of the tutu we see today. Those iconic, tight, short, tutus which give so much movement freedom. And, let's be honest, so much leg! They truly are a sight to behold.
But even though the new short tutu was starting to dominate, in the era of corsetry and lavish frills, there was a constant playfulness with length. Ballet tutus would sometimes even come with train, yes, train - and not just for the ballerinas, I spotted this lovely trend on the fashionable ladies out for a stroll in Paris. It's not so hard to see why this train concept spread, after all, the beauty of a floating, silky train of tulle on a ballet costume has always been something quite spectacular.
And the colors! A wave of vibrant hues, inspired by the vibrant artistic landscape, flooded the theatre scene. In 1907, the world was opening its eyes to artistic possibilities. You can really feel this in the colors of tutus in ballet performances. The colours reflect an optimistic optimism in an era of artistic and social evolution. In some places you might even find the faint whisper of that ever so feminine colour, pink.
While I didn’t spot a tutu as vividly pink as mine while traversing 1907 Paris (though they were certainly experimenting with vivid shades), there’s no doubt it was just around the corner! Just a few short years later, we saw the birth of pink's place in haute couture. A trend I fully endorse!
And this week's Time-Twirling Tutu trip? It all culminated in an unforgettable visit to the Palais Garnier! It was a grand spectacle, where my tutu was absolutely at home. I even had the chance to see a performance of La Dame aux Camélias, which featured one of the first ballerinas to incorporate a shorter, form-fitting tutu. What a magnificent glimpse into the history of ballet! There was so much exquisite detail, with lavish costumes that really drew your eyes in and left you in awe of the grandeur of it all. Of course, I snuck into the luxurious costume departments and did some sneaky shopping (which, of course, always involves tutus). The thrill of a good Parisian boutique hunt is an experience unlike anything else.
So there you have it! Another adventure through ballet’s sartorial timeline, adding a dash of tutus, a dash of pink and a generous serving of the enchanting history of dance! I can't wait to see what future tutus are waiting for me in the mists of time, I just have to start packing...
Don’t forget, come back next week for another delightful journey with the #TutuTuesday blog.
And as always, remember to be brave, bold and don’t be afraid to let your tutu be seen!
Until then, stay tutu-licious,
Emma
(Ps: Remember to visit my other blogs and socials for more tutu-tastic fun, follow me on all the latest fashion trends! I'll even let you in on a few shopping secrets I’ve learned on my trips)
