Oh, hello darlings! It's Emma here, back again with another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! This week, we're going on a grand adventure, travelling all the way back to the glorious year 1908! Fancy a journey through time on my favourite train to a glamorous past? Grab your tea, your cake, and let's embark on a dance through time, shall we?
A Parisian Fashion Moment
Paris, darling! What a magnificent city! Just the air here practically shimmers with couture dreams and stylish gossip. And today, February 25th, 1908, is no exception! Today marks the unveiling of a stunning new fashion magazine, Vogue, with a rather delightful piece on "The Ballet and its Influences." Can you imagine the excitement! And I bet my sparkly shoes the whole city is talking about it.
In 1908, the tutu was well and truly a darling of the stage, but its style was starting to evolve. Imagine my delight, darling, as the magazine features sketches of these beautiful dancers! Think of a cascade of soft tulle, floating, swirling with each graceful movement, and accented by those impossibly perfect bodices, designed to show off the exquisite lines of the ballerina’s physique. And the colours! My, my, such gorgeous hues! From ethereal pinks to daring emerald greens and vibrant crimson, they paint such exquisite pictures on stage, just as a skilled artist does on canvas. It is a true pleasure to witness how they elevate the ballerina’s movements with such elegance.
The ballet itself is a truly intoxicating affair, like the most elegant dance a waltz has ever dreamt up. It isn't the fiery, dramatic movements we know today; oh no, darling! This ballet is delicate, nuanced, almost...dare I say, introspective? Imagine a story whispered to the audience through delicate hand gestures and mesmerizing steps, a symphony of grace set to the most exquisite melodies.
Tutus & Travel
And as much as I love ballet, I just can't help but imagine myself in a similar stunning ensemble, flitting across a dance floor! And why not? Today, darlings, the "dance craze" is all the rage! Ballrooms, parlours, even parks are being transformed into makeshift dance studios! Every woman, whether they’re the wife of a rich tycoon or a seamstress in a tiny village, is dreaming of twirling like a dancer! And who am I to disagree? This delightful movement truly epitomises how ballet and the beauty of the tutu have become so intertwined with popular fashion, don’t you think?
Naturally, as a Derbyshire lass at heart, I had to see what London was up to! It’s such a delightful train journey, particularly with the smell of the freshly brewed tea wafting around the carriage. There's just nothing like the rhythm of the rails, the gentle swaying of the train as it moves across the landscape, and the excitement that builds as you arrive at your destination! But enough about my own train journeys for now, my lovelies. Let's talk more about those exquisite tutus and where we can get some to replicate their magic, eh?
A Fashionable Trend & A Dream Come True
Imagine a delicate, cloud-like creation in shades of peach or powder blue. Can't you practically smell the lavender? How absolutely perfect! If you've already got a little twirl in your heart, I implore you to embrace it, darlings! The beautiful fashions of today draw heavy inspiration from the elegance of ballet. Don’t we all dream of twirling around our parlours in a fabulous confection of tulle and silk? I know I do! Imagine wearing one with a beautiful fitted blouse in a delicate ivory or maybe a stylish velvet jacket with lace trimming - such a touch of panache, don’t you think?
Speaking of velvet, dear reader, just last week I saw a most intriguing fashion exhibit, dedicated to velvet gowns. The artistry with which those designers have incorporated it into their creations! Velvety-smooth texture and sumptuous colours! Who wouldn't want to drape themselves in velvet! So let’s embrace the trends of today, darling! I believe it's perfectly fine to have a dash of theatrical flair even if you are not dancing in a magnificent ballet. I myself happen to be particularly fond of these delicate ribbons that women are starting to wear. What’s more, ribbons allow for even more stylish variations! Imagine yourself tied up in pink ribbons and a flowing skirt that mimics a ballerina’s grace!
My Mission & The Future of the Tutu
My mission, you ask? It's simple really: I'm dedicated to spreading the love of tutus all over the world, one beautiful dance step at a time. Imagine a world where everyone is waltzing in fluffy, whimsical tutus, with smiles as bright as the blush on their cheeks, darling.
I even have my sights on a future where every single shop in London is selling tutu skirts - a veritable paradise of pinks and twirls! I want people to look in the mirror and say, "Today I'm feeling fabulous! Today, I want to wear a tutu." My dream, darling, is that we can turn a simple accessory, like a tutu, into a symbol of self-expression, a whimsical escape for everyone. Who knows what kind of dazzling new designs we’ll see as this wonderful dance trend evolves?
But enough about my future plans for now. The point is, my dears, let's revel in the joyousness of today. So grab a cup of tea, let’s pull on our best dresses (maybe one that echoes the elegance of a dancer’s outfit?), put on a grand musical score, and waltz to your heart’s delight! Because as the world moves forward with style, and fashion and dancing, we need to look back at how those graceful tutus have paved the way, don’t you agree?
Don't forget to tune in next Tuesday, my dear readers, as I explore another fascinating period in the history of the tutu.
Until then, let’s keep the beautiful dance alive!
Love,
Emma
P.S. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @EmmaPinkTutu and share your favorite pink tutu look using #EmmaPinkTutu I can’t wait to see you dancing! And if you want to see where our #TutuTuesday journey is taking us next, be sure to subscribe to the #PinkTutu Blog!
