Hello darlings!
It’s Emma here, back again from my whirlwind journey through time for your weekly dose of tutu history. This week, we're taking a trip back to 22nd February 2006. Now, before you think I'm being a tad dramatic with the date, I promise it's worth the trip, even if it isn't the peak of ballet season (we all know the real magic begins in the autumn!).
Oh, but you know what's really fantastic about the start of spring? It's the promise of fresh new colours! I'm itching to ditch my trusty crimson tutu (although it is very fetching, wouldn't you agree?) and swap it out for something lighter, something brighter. My mind's already teeming with pastel dreams and floral embellishments! It’s like my little sartorial heart can practically smell the blossom in the air already!
Speaking of blossom, the first whiffs of spring also usually signify a resurgence of energy for the theatre. Even in this pre tutu heyday, 2006 saw quite the excitement in the ballet world. We're talking grand ballets, bold interpretations, and plenty of gorgeous new tutus to drool over.
This particular day, however, was quite a curious one for me. My travels landed me smack-bang in the middle of… Derbyshire! Now, while it's no London, it's still home and always feels good to be back amidst the rolling hills and friendly folk. And while this February wasn’t exactly bustling with ballet activity in Derby, it was an ideal spot to delve into some historical nuggets – not on stage, but in libraries!
I stumbled upon a fantastic little exhibition in the local museum on the history of textile production in Derbyshire, which was actually rather exciting for a tutu-obsessed gal like myself! It seems the area was a veritable hub of textile ingenuity in the Victorian era. This sparked a real revelation, you see! Think about it - these exquisite, flowy, intricate tutu designs wouldn’t exist without the advancements made by generations of skilled weavers, dyers, and seamstresses in this very area. Quite inspiring, wouldn't you say?
From there, I found myself in a vintage clothing store just teeming with silk and lace. I mean, just imagine the tutus they could have made with these treasures! Imagine the grandeur! Now, I don't know if it's the nostalgia of returning home or the intoxicating smell of vintage fabric, but that afternoon I spent an embarrassing amount of time simply running my hands through these beautiful, worn textiles. A bit silly, perhaps, but you wouldn't understand until you felt that silky, almost magical quality.
In the evening, to make up for a slightly less glamorous day of historical investigation, I was lucky enough to catch a fantastic ballet performance back in London. I always try to sneak in a bit of performance during my time travelling, just for inspiration. This evening was something else. A modern ballet troupe was performing a piece about the transformative power of clothing. Talk about relevant to my own cause! It made me realise again just how powerful a simple tutu can be in expressing emotion, evoking imagery, and even, quite literally, transforming us.
On that note, it's high time I put this week's outfit to the test, isn’t it? My lovely readers, I know some of you are eager to get your tutu-wearing game strong. Now, with the weather finally starting to turn milder, let’s all embrace our inner ballerinas! We can conquer those long winter coats and flaunt the most incredible springtime styles with this one, simple, and frankly wonderful item - a tutu! Go on, make the change. Pink or any colour will do!
Let me know in the comments what you are wearing this week! I love seeing your creative spins on the tutu!
Remember, this blog is dedicated to celebrating tutus in all their glory. Join me again next week for another #TutuTuesday journey back through time! Don't forget to follow my blog, share this post with your fellow tutu enthusiasts and, of course, subscribe for future adventures!
See you soon, my dears!
With love,
Emma
