Hello darlings!
Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! It's your favourite pink-tutu wearing ballerina, Emma, here, back from another whirlwind time-travel adventure! I've just hopped off the train from a trip to Paris, my dear. It is such a wonderful place, oh, and don't even get me started on the fashion. Oh, I found the most beautiful silk at the Grands Magasins - imagine, a pink one! It practically calls out to me to be made into a tutu, doesn't it? Anyway, darling, enough about me! Let's get on to today's history!
Tutu Travels: November 5th, 1867
Now, imagine, if you will, the year 1867. The London International Exhibition was just a mere year behind us, with the world’s finest creations all displayed in grand style. Queen Victoria, that dear, elegant woman, had just received the beautiful new Diamond Jubilee crown, shimmering with gemstones worthy of a princess! And speaking of princesses… I must tell you about a rather spectacular evening I witnessed in this glorious year.
Picture this: I’m sitting in the royal box at the Paris Opéra. Oh, the grandeur of this place! The plush velvet seats, the shimmering chandeliers, the scent of perfume hanging in the air, and – best of all – the sound of a full orchestra warming up, just before the start of the ballet.
I’m mesmerized as the dancers, draped in elegant silk, take their places on the stage. And what do I see? A new style of tutu. Now, I must confess, these were not like our traditional tutu. These were longer, looser, a real revolution in the world of ballet! These tutus cascaded gracefully to their ankles, made of layers and layers of tulle – a dream! It seems like a new age of tutus has begun!
Think about it, darlings. This wasn’t just a change of fabric or style, this was a dance revolution!
I mean, why settle for a tiny, simple skirt when you could wear something so elegant, a grand sweep of beautiful tulle? It added this new layer of romance, like the swirling of a waltz, only on stage! The tutu, it seems, is evolving just like us, growing more beautiful and intricate with each passing decade!
Imagine, darling, what kind of dance could have inspired such a new, more flowing tutu? Did it dance to a fast and furious pace? Perhaps a gentle waltzing number? Did the choreography take advantage of all this new movement and fabric? Oh darling, the possibilities are endless! If only I could have hopped onto that stage and had a go myself. It's what we dancers live for, to be part of the world of dance and creativity!
The magic of the night wouldn't have ended there, either. Just imagine a grand gala ball right after the ballet performance. Everyone decked out in their finest silks, shimmering jewels, and... you guessed it... the most elegant of tutus!
Think of it, a ball held in honour of a dance, a ball inspired by tutus, a night filled with the most delightful waltzes, and the most exquisite dances – this was true bliss! Now that is how a ballerina dreams of spending an evening, darling!
As you can see, darling, the year 1867 was a special year for the tutu. The new trend of the long, layered tulle skirts is quite the conversation starter, and just wait until this trend takes the world by storm. A real fashion revolution, and oh, I simply cannot wait to travel back to the Belle Epoque (don't forget your best tutu, darling!) and see how the style will develop even more. And let's not forget how this fabulous invention inspires the world of fashion, not just on the stage!
Oh, and speaking of fashion, do you think you are ready to rock a pink tutu today, darling?
Oh, and if you fancy coming to a ballet performance sometime soon, why not let me know, darling? Maybe we can meet at the theatre in London, sip some tea, and chat about our favourite dancers? I’d love to hear all about your dance stories!
That’s all for this week, darling! Remember to keep a lookout for more exciting #TutuTuesday history, coming every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com.
Until then, stay glamorous, and never forget – life is a dance, darling!
XOXO, Emma
P.S: Did you know that I find my inspiration for these blogs through dance shows? I am a professional ballerina and I dance to help fund my time travel explorations. Maybe one day I will see you in the audience at one of my performances, or you could come and join a ballet class at The Royal Opera House.
P.P.S Don't forget to check out our latest tutu designs on www.pink-tutu.com. They're going to fly off the shelves, darling. I’m telling you, pink is the new black this year. Just remember “Everything looks better with a pink tutu.” You heard it here first, darling. 😉
