Bonjour, my darlings! 🩰
It’s Emma here, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday installment, taking us on a whirlwind tour of Ballet Tutu History! Buckle up, you lovely lot, because we're going back in time! 🕰️
This week, I’m absolutely thrilled to whisk you away to July 29th, 1834. Imagine the possibilities! Picture Parisian streets, buzzing with a vibrant energy. Cobblestone lanes lined with quaint boutiques and chic cafés, where the air itself crackles with artistry. Now, imagine that energy concentrated into a grand opera house, bathed in flickering gaslight, as the grandest ballerinas in the world grace the stage in their ethereal costumes.
Hold onto your bonnets, because this is the very year the romantic tutu as we know it truly began to take flight! It wasn’t all just pouffy tutus though; we had our lovely ‘la basquine’ skirt in place too, as it was more fitting for this graceful time period. If you’ve never heard of a ‘basquine,’ it’s essentially a loose-fitting overskirt that flowed effortlessly as ballerinas moved across the stage. This type of costume allowed for free and fluid movement - oh, how I yearn for such elegance! 💃
But imagine, darlings, a dress that could be a real symbol of change! 革命! We’ve had our pretty little layers of fabric with this basquine look for centuries now, so it’s lovely to have a slightly lighter design. This shift allowed ballerinas to express their movements in a completely new and exhilarating way, paving the way for the dramatic, expressive style we all know and adore today. Can you imagine what a sight that would be! The sheer freedom! I’ve been practicing the Romantic Period style. My goodness! What an absolute joy it’s been to wear these styles!
Just a little sidenote on July 29th, 1834; we had the most glorious train journey, I must tell you! I had just arrived in Paris from England, taking the long trip via train and steamer, and it had to be done - we simply must get those travel-ready skirts! Oh, the sheer delight, from the delicate ruffles and floral patterns, to the shimmering silk that reflected the golden light filtering in through the carriage windows. Fashion really had moved along since my first train ride from Derbyshire! I felt like a vision in pink! The French know their colour schemes, it must be said, and we’re on top of the trends with our outfits.
So, if you’re ever in the beautiful city of Paris, don’t forget to step back in time and soak up the rich history, especially of this magical dance form. For the sake of it, perhaps even visit a grand old opera house or watch a captivating performance from a skilled ballerina who dances with that beautiful romantic elegance. Who knows, perhaps you'll feel just as I did in my pretty pink tutu!
But wait, there's more!
Remember my mission: To spread the joy and beauty of pink tutus to the world? This Tuesday's #TutuTuesday post isn't just about the past; it's about inspiration!
Take a look around you! Are you seeing any shades of pink? Perhaps a floral bouquet in your home, or a stunning rose adorning your hair? Don’t be shy; Embrace the color pink with joy and spread the love wherever you go! It’s a magical colour, one that truly captures the beauty of this amazing dance form. What do you say we all try to embrace pink today and take a small step towards our dreams and our goal?
Now, excuse me while I go and indulge in a little pre-performance shopping, in my perfectly pink, perfectly wonderful dress. I’m headed to see “Giselle” with a famous, internationally acclaimed, stunning dancer from Vienna - can you believe it! A star in my time?!
See you next #TutuTuesday, darlings! Until then, stay pink and dance on! 💕 🩰
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Post number 135.
