Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu-loving time traveller and all-round fashion enthusiast! It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time for another instalment of my Ballet Tutu History series. Get ready for a journey through the decades and some seriously fabulous tulle!
The year is 2032, and you know what? It's just as magical and stylish as I always knew it would be. Imagine, my darlings! Today we're diving into a timeline that merges seamlessly with Ballet Week - can you believe it? - all thanks to the incredible advancements in transportation technology! I’m on the 15:45 from Derbyshire to London, surrounded by the sound of excited chatter and the whiff of freshly baked pastries. Can’t you just smell the excitement? It’s contagious!
The streets are a dazzling blur of pink tutus (what else?), all different shades and styles! Honestly, it feels like everyone's embracing the magic of a good old fashioned twirl! It’s enough to make even a seasoned tutu-enthusiast like me blush!
Oh, speaking of the blush pink tutu I'm wearing today – the feather boa adds such a fabulous touch, don't you think? It's perfectly matched to the cherry blossom-print shoes and handbag. It's all about a look, darlings! You have to work it like it’s the only thing in the world! And wouldn't you know it? Today, the shops are brimming with the latest pink tutus: sequins, glitter, holographic fabrics - they're making my head spin, in a good way, of course!
Today, we are discussing La Belle Epoque!
The Belle Époque, meaning “Beautiful Era”, in French, was a period of optimism, prosperity, innovation, and peace in Europe during the late 19th century and the early 20th century! It saw a flourishing of the arts, particularly the ballet, which led to the creation of the classical tutu, as we know it today. Imagine a beautiful dancer twirling and pirouetting across a stage in a short, flowing tutu of airy tulle - such graceful, beautiful designs!
The 1890s: Let's start with our lovely Marie Taglioni - *The ballerina who took to the stage in a billowing white skirt that was almost ankle-length. The silhouette was new, airy, and so free that the dress made quite a statement – this was how the classical ballet tutu was born, my darlings! *
Then, imagine the thrill of the first Ballet Russe production in Paris in 1909! They brought a fresh new look and style to the stage - and to the tutus themselves!
And here’s the interesting bit - did you know Léon Bakst, a prominent designer of the time, loved to incorporate colourful designs into his work?
Fast forward to the early 1900s - the first blush of tutus. There were so many different lengths and styles, and there were different colors, and it became clear the tutu wasn't simply a functional item, it had become an important part of the performance!
I was recently at the Royal Opera House (wearing, of course, a perfect pale pink tutu!) to see the amazing performance of the Nutcracker - it's one of the shows that brings the beauty of the classical tutu into full focus. All that elegant flowing tulle and those enchanting stage lights. What a dream, right?
Here's a fun fact: You might be surprised to learn that tutus, which we always associate with dancers and their captivating movements, have also inspired the designers of the world! You can see it in the fashion shows of the big names in fashion, like Dior, Valentino, and even Alexander McQueen. There's something incredibly graceful and feminine about a tutu, and I know we all secretly wish we could wear one at least once in our lives. Well, darling, there's nothing stopping you - rock a pink tutu whenever you like, on a normal day, on a special occasion! Go on, be bold, twirl, dance, be you!
Speaking of tutus and style, my dear friends, have you checked out this week's new collection from Ballet Fashionista? I’m obsessed!
You can find the latest collection of pink tutus - everything from the traditional classical tulle to the newest* modern styles and everything in between - online. So grab a glass of something sparkly and browse those beauties, darling!
I will leave you now to go and prepare for my next time-traveling adventure, but I must go with you with my own little tutu wisdom. Remember - life is short - wear pink. Be yourself, love what you wear.
* Until next week's *#TutuTuesday, * * Emma xoxo **
