Bonjour, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate the exquisite evolution of the tutu! I’m Emma, your trusty guide on a sartorial journey through time, and this week, I’m taking us right back to 4th October 1864!
Grab your teacups, ladies, because we’re stepping into a world of swirling petticoats and enchanting ballets!
Now, my dear readers, you know my absolute adoration for the pink tutu, but believe it or not, back in 1864, pink was considered a rather daring choice! Imagine – the pink tutu – a scandalous notion, much like a scandalous peek of ankle at a Victorian dinner party!
Don’t get me wrong, tutus did exist back then. In fact, they were evolving from their earlier bulky, bell-shaped form into the beautiful, airy tutus we adore today! Picture layers and layers of tulle, painstakingly hand-sewn into something quite remarkable – almost a sculpted cloud.
Oh, and imagine the sheer joy of getting into a horse-drawn carriage for the journey to a beautiful grand theatre! All of London's fashionable ladies would be sporting their finest bonnets and parasols for the evening’s entertainment! Imagine a world of theatre that truly encapsulated all aspects of fashion, where the performance itself was the biggest fashion show of all.
And what could be more magical than that?
Well, let me tell you a secret! 4th October 1864, just a day before our chosen Tuesday, was the date of a most fabulous premiere - a ballet performance that everyone's talking about! The ballet was “Giselle,” performed at the Royal Opera House in London.
“Giselle”! Now, this is a name whispered reverently among ballet aficionados – and you bet your bottom dollar I've got my ticket to witness this masterpiece. Just picture: ethereal tutus, delicate gestures, passionate storytelling - pure magic in a swirling, silken whirlwind!
I must admit, I love time travelling for these iconic moments. What a thrilling journey through history this has been. Not to mention the glorious costumes I can buy in vintage shops and even those fantastic French fabric markets, which, of course, have inspired the fabulous pink tutu you see me wearing now! Oh, how I love these Parisian fabrics – every time I step onto that train carriage heading out of London for my adventure, I get so excited about everything I’m going to find.
The tutus, oh my – and the vintage clothes for me! Now don’t tell anyone, but I think it’s only a little more magical than actually dancing in one, right? Though perhaps the best part is coming back to tell you all about it.
Just imagine the stories the silk would tell. If only fabrics could talk. If only tutus could talk! It's amazing to think that over a century ago, the dancers of “Giselle” were bringing the very first iterations of those iconic fluffy wonders to life! Just as I'm trying to do now.
That is why this blog is called Pink Tutu. It is all about this - that amazing story of tutus. I don’t think there’s anything more captivating. So tell me what your favourite tutu moment is - let’s start a discussion. I’d love to hear what you all have to say!
Remember, you don’t need a grand theatre to appreciate the joy of a ballet – there are little theatres everywhere! The world is your stage, and who says you can’t rock a pink tutu too? Go forth, ladies, and sparkle!
Oh, and if you are attending a grand ballet this season, be sure to look for my travelling partner. You might find me wearing pink right there in the audience.
Until next week, my lovelies, stay radiant, keep twirling, and may your days be filled with tutus, tea, and of course, the wonder of fashion.
P.S. Did you see the newest ballet adaptation of "Giselle" by the famous Russian dancer Alexander B? It was stunning. There are few people who can so gracefully wear a pink tutu – oh, did I mention it was a light, baby pink that set off her fair complexion? So chic! She had that delicate, fairytale charm which made her perfect as a ballerina - almost unreal in a Giselle costume that floated so perfectly, it truly captured the ethereal aspect of the story.
