Hello my darling tutu lovers! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you back in time with another fabulous #TutuTuesday journey through the enchanting history of the ballet tutu! Today, we're twirling our way to the 3rd of January, 1911. Imagine, my dears, a world without cars, but with a charming abundance of horse-drawn carriages and gaslight twinkling.
As I hop off the Orient Express (first class, naturally, with a generous helping of bonbons!) in Paris, the air is filled with a delightful crispness. I must tell you, travelling by train is truly divine - perfect for planning new blog posts and perfecting a killer arabesque in the carriage! 🚄
But, back to 1911... What were our beloved ballet tutus doing this day? Well, imagine my surprise as I step into the majestic Opéra Garnier, and instead of a full, fluffy tulle tutu, the ballerinas are swirling in the soft, flowing "Romantic" tutu, crafted of delicate gauze or silk, draped and adorned with exquisite embellishments. Oh, the romance!
These early 20th-century dancers were the epitome of graceful poise. The Romantic tutu, as its name suggests, was meant to accentuate their movements, its ethereal drapery mimicking the lightness and elegance of the ballerina. A far cry from the towering, flamboyant tutu designs we associate with today!
After soaking up the breathtaking spectacle of the "Giselle" ballet (always a personal favourite!), I ventured into the shops to get my fashion fix. Imagine my joy! Paris in 1911 was positively teeming with exquisite couture houses, boasting a myriad of gowns, hats, and accessories.
But darling, did you know the women of 1911 loved a touch of pink just as much as I do? Imagine! The pink dress I spotted in the Rue de la Paix would make a wonderful, whimsical pink tutu inspiration!
Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a spot of afternoon tea at a delightful patisserie. Oh, the sweet, delicious delicacies! All that sugar fueled me for the afternoon's theatrical extravaganza! The music hall was filled with captivating music and glittering performances, showcasing the sheer elegance and style of this era.
To imagine the ballet of that time was to imagine movement fluid as a ribbon, captivating the senses and enchanting the audience. The dancers, it was said, seemed to dance as if borne on a cloud, a lightness achieved through an innovative use of the Romantic tutu. It was quite mesmerising.
Speaking of the "Giselle" performance, it brought back vivid memories from my visit to the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris. There, tucked away amongst historic scientific marvels, I stumbled upon a beautiful model of an early "Giselle" costume. A marvel in tulle, meticulously detailed and with just the right amount of delicate embellishments, it's a reminder of how much our favourite tutus have evolved through the centuries.
However, while the "Giselle" ballet was taking the world by storm, the tutus used were a far cry from the iconic puffy tutu of the "Sleeping Beauty" ballet, which wouldn't fully develop until a few decades later.
This week, as you dance around your own home, try imagining yourself in a "Giselle"-inspired tutu - light and ethereal. Picture the soft, fluid movement of the Romantic era, the romantic beauty of that time period! Let's celebrate the beautiful, ever-evolving history of the tutu together, my lovelies!
And as always, my dears, remember to spread the love of pink tutus. Share your favourite ballet moments and fashion finds with me on social media using #TutuTuesday and #pinktutu. Let's dance into next week's time-travelling tutu adventure! 💖
Yours in all things pink and tutu-tiful,
Emma xoxo
