Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday for you lovely pink tutu-wearing dreamers! It's been a whirlwind of a week, I've been flitting through time, soaking up the sartorial delights of eras past, and it just wouldn't do to keep all this fascinating ballet tutu history to myself! This week I'm taking us back to October 29th, 1833 - a date steeped in the romance of a bygone era. Imagine yourself:
A Crisp Autumn Afternoon in Paris:
The streets of Paris are alive with the crisp autumn air, leaves turning golden, the scent of freshly baked bread drifting from boulangerie windows. A horse-drawn carriage clip-clops down a cobbled lane, taking a well-dressed gentleman towards the Opéra Garnier, where he'll witness the glittering world of ballet. The ladies, all adorned in silken gowns, with feathers and flowers in their hair, are a picture of elegance. But the true star of the show, tucked away beneath the flowing fabrics of their dresses, is something altogether different. It's a whisper of pink tulle, a tantalising glimpse of movement that catches the eye, like a tiny cloud dancing upon a breeze.
A Glimpse Behind the Velvet Curtains
Let's peek backstage at the ballet! It's just before a performance by the Paris Opéra Ballet, and you can hear the energy thrumming in the air. The dancers are warming up in a spacious, candlelit studio, their figures gliding gracefully across the polished wooden floor. What is that, tucked under a layer of fabric? Oh, darling, it's the prototype of a tutu, not the flamboyant, fluffy cloud we're accustomed to today. This is what we call the Romantic Tutu - a delicate creation made from layers of diaphanous tulle. It's airy, light, it barely skims the knee - perfect for expressing the yearning, ethereal romanticism of the day!
Imagine a woman of that era – she's elegant, she's expressive, she wants to be noticed! A hint of this soft, billowy tulle beneath her skirt, peeping out with every movement, was enough to capture the heart of any audience, to create a sense of ethereal beauty. The tutu is no longer a mere undergarment - it is becoming an expression of beauty in its own right.
Time-Traveling to 19th-Century Paris!
Now, it's all a little different back then. Remember - those lovely ballerina-pink tutus weren't quite in vogue yet! In fact, tutus had a rather interesting trajectory to achieve that fluffy perfection! Imagine, instead, a rather plain, almost knee-length cotton or linen undergarment - designed to help a dancer move and add a bit of visual appeal without overwhelming the flowing lines of the dresses of the era.
As a proud devotee of tutus in all their glorious forms, I had to indulge in a little time travel! Just picture it: the smoky haze of a bustling Paris street; the carriage rattling along, a chorus of chirping street vendors a constant symphony around me. It was a heady mix of senses - the elegant charm of a Parisian gentleman in his dapper top hat, the click-clack of the horses' hooves on the cobblestones... But oh, to enter the hallowed halls of the Opéra Garnier! It was like entering a different world!
The Opéra Garnier itself was an architectural masterpiece, the perfect setting for these pioneering tutus! Every corner whispered of beauty, of opulent splendour! Even today, the stage lighting at the Opera Garnier remains as mesmerizing and romantic as ever. I found myself in awe as I witnessed a group of dancers, all dressed in long, white Romantic tutus. They were practicing pas de bourrées and pirouettes, creating an air of magical grace and airy elegance, it was simply breathtaking. It was a glimpse of theatrical beauty unlike anything I’ve seen!
The Pink Tutu’s Journey!
This is where the evolution of the tutu takes a deliciously flamboyant turn! It all leads to that moment – that divine flash of pink tulle you’ve been admiring all this time. I’m dying to talk about that with you!
We’ll be hopping through time again next Tuesday - so keep that tutu dream alive! Remember - our blog is a space where the magic of dance and the beauty of a pink tutu can bring us all together! Don't be shy, lovely ones! If you've been rocking your pink tutu - join the conversation in the comments section, or catch me over on Instagram (@PinkTutuBlog).
Till next time! Hugs and Kisses,
Emma xo
P.S. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for the latest news, tutu inspiration, and information about my upcoming ballet performances. After all, a girl needs to travel through time and be inspired by beauty, and I make sure my pink tutu has its moment on stage!
