Bonjour, darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where every Tuesday is a celebration of all things tulle!
Today, my dears, we're taking a trip back in time to a rather pivotal year in ballet history: 1908. Imagine: gaslights flickering on cobbled streets, carriages clinking by, and ladies in glorious gowns rustling through grand ballrooms. It was a time of elegance, grace, and oh, the fashion!
Now, let's be honest, while we all adore the fairytale tutu, in 1908 it was all about the Romantic era! Think long, flowing skirts, light and ethereal - almost like dancing clouds! These tutus weren't your "get your legs out" style like we see in modern ballets. They were a soft, airy whisper of a costume, and perfectly matched the Romantic stories of that time.
Today is 28th January 1908. I've just stepped off the train at St. Pancras, the wind whipping my oh-so-pink tutu and my hair as I gaze upon the grandeur of London's architecture. I'm heading for the Royal Opera House to catch the latest ballet. Today they're performing "Giselle", one of the great ballet classics. Can you imagine a time when ballets weren't "Swan Lake", "Nutcracker" or "Cinderella?" "Giselle" is considered one of the most challenging and emotional ballets in the repertoire.
Now, back to 1908, what made this year so special? It was the beginning of the rise of a revolutionary choreographer called Michel Fokine. This dashing Frenchman dared to break with the old-school traditions of ballet, much like my dears! He pushed for dynamic movements and expressions of real emotion on stage, something I find absolutely fascinating. Imagine ballet like you've never seen before! This man knew how to turn a good performance into an absolute sensation, much like a good performance at the Royal Albert Hall, right?
I always say a great show is never complete without fabulous fashion. This is where I shine, you see! Think lace and satin with exquisite detail, topped with shimmering jewels. Now, that is the kind of fairytale attire fit for a ballerina queen!
My shopping list today includes a bewitching selection of bonnets and parasols to adorn my outfits. Just imagine a lovely straw hat, trimmed with satin ribbon and decorated with some blush-coloured feathers, how darling! Or, an intricately hand-painted parasol with pink roses and trailing ivy – perfect to protect my delicate skin from the sun! A pair of kid leather gloves, one with tiny pink roses and the other with a hint of a blush pink satin ribbon tied around the wrist - darling! I simply love finding the perfect items for my wardrobe, do you?
I know you’re thinking, "Emma, it all sounds wonderfully grand, but what about the tutus? What about pink!" Well, dear readers, just because the tutus were a bit more “flowy” in those days, that doesn't mean the color wasn't as fabulous! Pink was a fashionable choice even then, but it wasn't necessarily your screaming neon pink! It was more of a softer, dreamy, rosy hue that just melts the heart!
Later today, I'm heading to one of the most charming little tea rooms in the West End. You know I love my afternoon tea! They have the most exquisite little pastries. This charming little place always has dainty sandwiches, with delicate scones, thick cream, and luscious jam for an afternoon of gossiping with the local ballerina ladies. They do say gossip is a girl's best friend and certainly makes the tea so much more delightful!
Tomorrow morning, I will venture into a shop specializing in dancewear and fabric shops. You see, darling, I have my very own plans to make my own pink tutu! The shop has beautiful tulle and exquisite fabrics that are so luxurious that I cannot even put it into words! Think layers of airy, pink tulle that shimmers like starlight! Then, I will need to find some elegant satin for the waistband, maybe with some pretty embellishments and embroidery. Perhaps, if I’m feeling really daring, I'll even find a fabulous feather trim to make my tutu the perfect embodiment of 1908 elegance. Now, doesn't that sound absolutely delightful?
After I've collected the necessary materials, I will take a little trip back to my grandmother’s little apartment. You see, darling, my family, originally from Derbyshire, have always made things, been crafty! We can make and sew and create all kinds of marvellous things and we even had a bit of an online family business during the COVID-19 pandemic selling hand-crafted items, my granny made adorable handmade crochet ballerina figurines and my dear brother and I had been practicing hand stitching our garments for many years, much to the joy of our local charity shops. So, we all had our little creative niches! My little brother even made his own handmade line of ballets shoes for men - we thought the whole tutu was very "gay," very 1920s! A little bit fabulous and fabulous was a must-have, of course, because my brother is rather glamorous. It would be a huge shame not to let all my knowledge of the 2020s influence the crafting!
So, there you have it, my lovelies, a little glimpse into a ballet world almost 120 years ago! See, the magic of dance knows no time limits. And darling, never forget, even back in 1908, the allure of pink was, and will always be, undeniable. So keep twirling, darling, and always let your pink flag fly!
Remember to subscribe for next Tuesday’s blog to #pink-tutu.com, and be sure to use #TutuTuesday so we can all share the love for this elegant and delightful garment.
And don't forget to visit my little shop at www.pinktutushop.com to check out my exclusive range of handmade tutus! From sweet and demure to extravagant and bold, there is something for every dancer’s fancy, from the smallest ballerina to the grandest prima donna! And yes, you guessed it, all my tutus are oh-so-pink.
Until next time, darling! Happy twirling!
Emma xxx
