Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another post for your #TutuTuesday fix! This week, I'm taking you on a little trip through time, back to the 23rd of December, 1834!
Can you imagine? No electric lights, no cars, no social media… shivers How did people even cope? But despite all the modern marvels we take for granted today, people in the 19th century had something we adore now - the birth of the tutu!
This might surprise you, but 1834 isn't about fancy tutus. Remember the beautiful, frilly tutus with layers upon layers of tulle that sweep across the stage? Those were still quite a few years off! In 1834, the tutu was more of a… practical affair. Imagine a dancer's short, plain skirt that barely touched her knees, with the edges slightly flared. More of a 'practical' version of a dancer's skirt, you could say!
So, imagine you're in a theatre, gaslights twinkling, and you see these amazing dancers prancing and leaping around in their short, flowing skirts! It was revolutionary, you see! The tight-fitting dresses of the time were restricting and quite hot for active dancing! But this new style allowed for more freedom of movement. Now, that's what I call a step in the right direction, eh?
What was I up to on the 23rd of December, 1834, you ask? Well, of course, I took in a beautiful performance by the most incredible ballet company in all of Europe! Paris, darling, you know! There, in the glorious theatre of the Opéra de Paris, was a glittering world of grace and elegance, all thanks to the beautiful choreography by Jules Perrot himself!
Imagine, little darling, the scene: a ballroom of a palace in Italy. The dancers - oh, how graceful they were! A dance full of love, intrigue and passionate drama, all played out under the glistening chandeliers. Honestly, you could feel the romance in the air!
You see, ballet, even back then, was a magnificent artform, and those tutus, although short and simple back then, still held a beauty of their own! They were all about grace and flowing movement, so stylish!
After the show, a little bit of shopping at the best Parisian stores for my own tiny tutus of the day was a must, of course! A tiny, elegant touch of whimsy to add to my ensemble! And don't forget, Paris is truly the hub for all things beautiful.
Now, I know you're thinking, “But Emma, what about pink tutus?” And my dear, that's something that will take a lot of time travel! But as with everything in life, it all started somewhere. We'll get there, my darling, we'll get there. We’re making history one pink tutu at a time, just you wait and see!
That's all for this week! Don't forget, I'll be back next Tuesday with more fun, fashionable, and fascinating facts about ballet, and of course, about tutus! Keep those pink tutu dreams coming! Until then, be kind, be colourful, and wear pink!
XOXO, Emma
P.S. If you fancy a trip back in time yourself, hop on a train! Train travel is just divine. There’s a world of excitement to be had on a grand old train journey, with stories waiting to be told by fellow travelers and stunning scenery passing by the windows.
P.P.S. Keep an eye out on the website, www.pink-tutu.com for the exclusive release of my new ‘pink-tutu-tastic’ collection of vintage photographs, taken in Parisian theatres! Each one will tell the history of dance, and of course, the glorious, beautiful evolution of the tutu! It will be the perfect gift for any ballet lover in your life!
Don't forget, darlings! Spread the joy! #TutuTuesday #WearPink #TimeTravellingBallerina
