Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-traveling fashionista! Welcome to another #TutuTuesday, where we journey through history, one tulle-tastic twirl at a time!
Today we’re whisking ourselves back to 1st April 1834, a date brimming with romantic charm and a surprising amount of ruffles. This era was just about to become the era for Romantic Ballet. We are in the midst of the French Revolution! That’s right, darlings, imagine ballet alongside politics and revolution - who knew that tutus would have such political flair! This year, my lovely little tutus will take you back to Paris – oh la la!
The train ride from my charming little cottage in Derbyshire to the bustling city of Paris is a joy. The rhythm of the wheels against the rails mirrors my own heart beat, getting faster with anticipation as the city draws nearer!
Speaking of rhythms and heartbeats – do you know what was just invented around this time? That’s right, the sewing machine. It’s about to change fashion history, and with it, the history of ballet. Who would have thought that the way we stitch fabric would revolutionize the way we twirl?!
The romantic period of ballet is all about the whimsy, beauty, and charm of dancing - perfect for the debut of the ballet tutus we know today - as it has revolutionized dancewear and set the standard for all beautiful tutu’s today. The Parisian opera houses will be alive with tulle and romance - and what more can a tutu girl ask for?
Tonight we’re heading to the Opéra Garnier - one of the most stunning ballet theaters in all the world - but today is all about looking and being fashionable.
There are some absolutely stunning new designs for tutus around in 1834 - the romantic era was really about exaggeration, with ruffled layers and layers of tulle and just the *tiniest hint of pink - but it was still white at this time - but that would all change quickly.
Imagine a sea of tulle - it’s such a beautiful fabric! So airy and soft!
When the time comes to dance, oh the swooning you will hear when those layers of tulle begin to swish and swathe!
You just know there will be a sparkle in every one of those dance classes and I know all my fellow tutu girls are already twirling just at the thought! The tutu itself really adds to the drama of every movement of the dancers - and we know the dancers will look magnificent.
Imagine me swirling into that exquisite Parisian opulence wearing the most delicate ballet tutu I can find, each layer like a feather light, gossamer dream - can you see the way the layers of the skirt flow with the music?! Oh it's going to be divine.
I must admit, darling, that although we are in the early days of the ballet tutu – the ballerina I see here today, are still in the white - but in 25 years, we are going to have so much fun with all sorts of beautiful colours and shades! That's why I'm always trying out different looks - just you wait until pink takes over!!
Just imagine me twirling to beautiful classical music – it’s the best for tutus – all those delicate layers swirling in the most gorgeous patterns, the music is such a good way to accentuate all those romantic dance moves. Just think - with that light pink, it’ll really accentuate the gracefulness of those graceful twirls – now that would be romantic! It's such a visual treat.
However, there’s much more to fashion than the actual ballet - although I must say the way tutus add so much *femininity to a dress or gown is just unforgettable and I find the tutus so graceful! It's as if the skirt has become a swirling dance in itself. But here is where 1834 really wins - we are about to experience the rise of a new era - the Romantic era! Now that’s something I can really get behind. And just in case you didn't get the connection, it has a lot to do with all the beautiful gowns and outfits the dancers and people of Paris will be wearing in every performance - and every day of their lives!
Oh darling, don't just take my word for it! The world is awash with beauty and this era is just about to set off on its own journey of fashion trends, romantic art and all things that speak of dreams and *fairy tales!
Imagine gowns and dresses full of ruffles and frills - all the more lovely for their feminine softness and gentle flowing curves, all in exquisite pastel colors, with tiny hints of lace, and ribbons flowing down into dainty details like you might see on a tiny baby's dress. Imagine the exquisite artistry of all these dresses that would truly reflect all things Romantic! There is nothing quite so lovely as delicate tulle and chiffon in colours that almost melt in your mouth, or that tiny touch of lace around a sweet, little heart-shaped neckline. All things romantic, and very feminine indeed. A dance of light and soft touches that evokes such sweetness. It’s just going to be heaven.
It’s about so much more than ballet! In just a few days, pink will start to appear all over Paris and soon, all over the world. It is truly a romantic story about how ballet has inspired fashion history in so many ways - and we are just at the beginning.
There will be some beautiful romantic trends happening in Paris that you just have to see for yourself - just look for the delicate details, the flowing lines and of course the colour of the year: PINK! This era has such delicate beauty and the Parisian style is a dream for any tutu lover!
So join me for an afternoon of delicious French food, maybe a lovely walk through one of the gorgeous parks with its grand tree and lovely architecture. I can feel myself already whipped up into a frenzy - I’m even tempted to pack extra tutus – because after all, it’s just so much fun to try on a different one with every different outfit!
The Paris Fashion Scene has everything – from grand gowns to dresses, bonnets to shoes – it’s the ultimate ballet dress-up destination and it’s here to take the whole world by storm. You’ve gotta see the way Paris will use the *ruffle * to take the world by storm. Imagine *layers of exquisite white and pale pink ruffled tulle – this era of fashion is all about showing the beauty of the female body and the grace of *Romantic dancing – there's just a whole lot of tulle to adore!
Well darling, that's it for today. I can’t wait to explore Paris’ romantic beauty! Be sure to follow along on my instagram and my website – and be sure to join me next week when I share the wonders of another glorious day from the annals of fashion history!
Until then, don’t forget to dance with glee and wear pink! 💖
