Hello my darling tutufolk! š©°š It's Emma here, back with another exciting adventure into the captivating world of the tutu. You know I can't resist a bit of historical glamour, and this week, my time-travelling journey took me back to 10th February 1880. Ooh la la! That means we are talking late Victorian Era, full of frocks, finery and a whole lotta elegance. Now, let's step into my trusty pink tutu (which is, of course, utterly appropriate for the occasion!) and let's see what our tutus were getting up to back then.
Victorian Dance & the Rise of the Tutu
Let me tell you, my lovely tutus were just starting to become the epitome of graceful dance. Now, it's all about romanticism and expressing emotions through movements - just the kind of thing I love! The romantic era, from 1830s-1870s, was all about dramatic and emotional themes, so we see these long flowing tutus, sweeping across the stage like the billowing skirts of a lady going for a leisurely walk in the park. Think swirling romanticism! And for a dancer, a real focus on ethereal movement!
Of course, things had changed from those early, full-skirted designs of the mid 1800s, as dancers were wanting to move even more freely. The 'tutu' was really coming into its own. While tutus from earlier periods had a wider skirt, we're now seeing shorter, lighter, and more flowing tutus which made it easier to move with an amazing mix of grace and agility. Think of Marie Taglioni, the ultimate muse of the Romantic ballet period, known for her ethereal performance, her tutus really took center stage, adding an extra element of fantasy to her performances! I bet we all wish we could glide through the air like that!
My 10th February Adventure: Ballet in Paris!
Well, my lovely tutus, on the 10th of February 1880, the place to be was Paris, darling. It's just the place for seeing something fabulous in the ballet world, so I hopped on the train for the short hop over the channel and had the time of my life! My, how they do adore the arts here in France, always so sophisticated and chic, don't you think?
I managed to see a brilliant performance at the Paris Opera, which has just celebrated its centenary, wow! That is some history! Imagine, a theatre nearly 100 years old!
A Performance I'll Never Forget
My word! It was pure delight, my dears, simply magnificent. I sat there in my blush-pink tutu feeling quite fabulous among the beautiful audience, and they went crazy for the performance, absolutely crazy. You know I can't reveal what ballet I saw... after all, my dears, my travels require a bit of mystique, no spoilers! Let's just say, I found myself transported by the delicate dance of the corps de ballet - that was all about flowing and delicate lines and it was beautifully orchestrated by the very talented Charles -Louis Didelot.
The music! So full of emotion and drama. The dancers! I mean, simply breath-taking. I saw the prima ballerina, in the most exquisite tutu imaginable, twirling around with such poise, all about grace and elegance, and her feet flew like feathers. I could watch her for hours! It was the most mesmerizing and delightful experience - almost like dreaming with your eyes wide open, I tell you!
More Than Just The Dance:
And, of course, we all know itās not just the dance itself, but also the costumes, the music, and even the stage sets. Ballet performances, when done right, are a spectacular event! The stage was just a symphony of colours, from the dancersā costumes to the extravagant set pieces. And can we talk about the stage lighting? It brought it all to life - so beautiful, a kaleidoscope of colour casting those perfect shadows to enhance the elegance and magic of it all. Honestly, I've never felt more inspired and ready to get to my barre, after this, but more about that later!
Shopping Adventures: Parisian Style
Paris has a little bit of magic, wouldn't you agree? Especially for a tutu-loving soul like me, Paris was truly un peu d'un paradis, as you would say. Itās the absolute Mecca for style and shopping, don't you think? It's simply impossible to leave Paris without a new hat or at least a fancy fan, to match a delectable pink or lilac-hued silk gown! Donāt worry, I shall be doing a special post on Parisian style and some amazing shops for your viewing pleasure, very soon. But, this one is all about ballet so letās get back on track!
Victorian Fashion: Not Quite The Modern Tutu...Yet
As for the 1880s and their fashion styles... well, let's just say that there were some ratherā¦ interesting designs compared to modern-day tutus. They were not exactly "short and sweet". No, my dears! This was a time of long, flowing skirts and intricate decorations. Imagine that flowing train dragging around as you dance! I would definitely not be happy if I were a dancer back then. No thank you!
But, in saying all this, there are many gorgeous pieces of dance fashion that I've admired throughout my travels through time - even before we see those shorter, streamlined tutus we love today!
The Rise of the āBallet Skirtā
And, of course, all fashion takes its cues from dance... in that, if something's popular in the dance world, it soon gets snapped up in everyday fashion - this time is no exception! So even if the Victorian Era may not have exactly been all about that modern-day tutu as we know it, this time really marked the rise of what became a trend for āBallet Skirtsā. And what are ballet skirts you may ask? Why they are pretty much just as the name suggests: skirts based on a ballet style - a soft, shorter and lighter skirt, so easier for moving around, and you can spot them in fashion magazines all the time!
If you imagine a skirt of the same style, just maybe with some added layers or maybe a bit more flowy and a beautiful color like a peach or lilac - and a bit of extra fabric - well, thereās your very early version of the tutu - ready for modern day dancefloors! The rise of the āBallet Skirtā was a sign of that evolving ballet style that started happening through the early-mid Victorian era - a new time for dancing!
Let's Embrace The Pink Tutu Revolution
Well my gorgeous tutu-folk, this little journey through history was a real delight. Now, let me remind you that tutus are meant to be loved! And donāt forget, I'm on a mission to make a world where tutus reign supreme ! And what a great mission it is. Donāt let anyone tell you that the world doesn't need a little more pink - the world needs lots of pink. Donāt be afraid to wear your heart (or rather, your tutus) on your sleeve. The more twirling and laughter and dance, the better! Remember, if it makes you feel fabulous, you should go for it!
Remember to look out for more posts on my blog at www.pink-tutu.com where Iāll be posting regularly with even more ballet adventures and inspiring fashion fads from the past. Let's make tutu-wearing the biggest trend, from the dance studio to the street - and letās show the world that even the most mundane moments can be elevated by a bit of extra sparkle, some frills and a touch of magic!
Let me know what you think of this post in the comments, darling. Oh, and don't forget, it's #TutuTuesday, so I need to see your tutu pictures on my Instagram - just hashtag #TutuTuesday and I might even give you a shout out on my page!
Love,
Emma š©°š
