Greetings, my lovelies! Emma here, back for another spin around the wonderful world of tutus with your favourite #TutuTuesday ballet history post! This week, I’m setting the time machine dial for a right little adventure - 4th January, 1910, just imagine!
Let me tell you, my darlings, I absolutely adore a bit of time travel, particularly when it involves tutus. Honestly, the joy of seeing the evolution of these fabulous garments from decade to decade just fills my heart with twirls. Today's date? Oh my! We're landing smack-bang in the era of the "Romantic tutu", a delightful style that's both dramatic and elegant! And darling, the colour of the day? Pink, of course! Think layers of delicate pink tulle with maybe some beautiful pale pink satin panels...divine!
Fancy joining me on this time travel journey, dear reader? Just picture it: a warm glow from gas lamps lighting up the Parisian streets, the scent of hot chocolate and croissants filling the air, and oh my! The buzz of the Parisian Ballet at the Opera Garnier, a true Parisian delight.
Let me paint you a scene, lovelies! I'm stepping out onto the bustling Rue de la Paix in the heart of Paris - all cobblestones and chic shops - dressed in my pinkest tulle masterpiece! Today, the "Romantic tutu" reigned supreme, featuring tiers of fine tulle with a romantic, graceful drape. This style brought a touch of dreamy, ethereal beauty to every pirouette.
In this glorious era, darling, ballerinas were really stepping out - quite literally, actually. Long, flowing lines defined this period. It was the age of legendary dancers like Anna Pavlova - such graceful, exquisite figures! These ballerinas made this graceful tulle, with it's elegant flowing design, an integral part of the theatrical stage and an undeniable visual symbol of ballet itself.
To celebrate this enchanting style, my darling, let's go on a little exploration, shall we?
First, picture the "Romantic tutu" at its most glamorous, its graceful drape falling like a dreamy, ethereal veil down a ballerina’s leg - all flowing curves, airy, lightweight fabrics...perfection, darling! It gave the ballet world this gorgeous silhouette - like a beautiful rose in full bloom.
Next, a little sneak peek at the world of the Paris Opera at this moment in time:
Fashion: The Parisian fashion world was ablaze with opulence, my dears! Think rich velvets, satin, and exquisite embellishments like lace and pearls. And speaking of the "Romantic" theme, you simply cannot forget the beautiful and delicate flowers that adorn garments at the time - what could be more delightful?
Dance: On this date, darling, the French dancers are performing a timeless classic: Giselle. Giselle, oh darling, just dreamy and captivating! The story? Truly captivating. I don't want to spoil the plot for you, dear, so I will say no more. But imagine a beautiful young girl and her romantic story intertwined with a mythical tale of magical woodland creatures and her heartbroken sorrow... It will take your breath away!
But here's a fun fact: while on stage those Parisian ballerinas looked simply delicate in their beautiful pink tulle - backstage darling, there was another scene unfolding. Those "Romantic tutus"? Those glamorous, delicate pink layers of tulle required lots of effort. We're talking countless layers! You couldn't just waltz into a dance class, dear, and expect the perfect graceful "Romantic" look... it required many a rehearsal to ensure it moved and danced in just the right way! Oh, to witness such a transformation... pure perfection, darling!
And, in the early 1910s, tutus were going through their own revolution, too! The evolution of ballet tutus was as much about the dancers themselves - how they moved, their strength and agility- as it was about fabric and fashion! The Romantic tutu" with its floating layers and emphasis on airy movements was truly revolutionary! Imagine darling, moving with such grace and ease in such a breathtaking piece of sartorial theatre. Oh, it must have felt just magnifique.
Oh, and while we are on the subject of revolution and grace - can we just mention those pointe shoes, darling? You see, these elegant ballerinas weren't just prancing about on soft satin. Oh no, darling! These ballerinas danced on pointed shoes that required years of rigorous training to perfect. Talk about true grit! And their little toe points are simply exquisite, darling!
But hold on, darling - you simply cannot travel in time without indulging in a spot of shopping. Paris, oh darling, the city of lights and lovely clothes, so I had to stop by one of the fine boutiques, of course. Parisian stores around this era had delectable collections of ladies wear: beautiful long lace-trimmed gowns, lovely velvet boleros, sparkling beaded jackets. So chic!
Just a short journey through time with you lovely ladies! You see darling, as much as I adore travelling and exploring through various ballet tutu styles, nothing, absolutely nothing can quite capture that enchanting feeling of standing before a beautiful ballet performance with your pink tutu in hand.
Now, if you'll excuse me, my lovelies! I've got a performance to prepare for, a gorgeous pink tutu to choose and a little ballet to practice, of course. And of course, my darling reader, until next Tuesday - may your every day be filled with sparkling joy! And remember: *Pink is my favourite colour, so let’s see a world filled with lovely tutus of all shades, darling! *
Don't forget, you can follow the #TutuTuesday adventure on our site www.pink-tutu.com, and come and see us on our travels on all our favourite platforms!
Catch you soon, darling!
Emma xx
