Hello darlings! It's Emma here, back with another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday! 🩰 Today we're waltzing through time to the 8th of March, 1836! Imagine it, my dears – tutus are already starting to sweep across the stages of Paris, and I'm already here to see it all! I just know you'll adore hearing about it!
This week, my fabulous travels brought me straight to Paris – the heart of ballet and fashion. Honestly, the streets are teeming with people and I'm in absolute heaven! Every building, every shop, every cafe feels steeped in romance and history, with the whisper of graceful movements dancing on the breeze. Oh, my dears, this place is absolutely intoxicating!
As I whizzed through the Parisian streets in my hot pink, perfectly pouffed tutu, I felt such a wave of joy! People looked at me with curious smiles – what is that, they thought? But then, I saw a flicker of recognition in their eyes – it’s something special! I think even then, the romantic air of tutus, a symbol of grace and movement, captivated those lucky enough to glimpse their enchanting sway!
Now, we all know 1836 was a very special year – the year that Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni, the very queen of romantic ballet, truly cemented her legend. And as a true aficionado of the ballet, you bet your tulle that I saw her! I saw the very dance that changed the history of ballet! It’s almost surreal to imagine, my darlings!
The legendary La Sylphide was an absolutely enthralling performance. Imagine a story woven of myth and folklore, of the airiness and lightness of movement that swept through the Parisian audience, as Marie glided, leaped, and pirouetted across the stage in a simple white tunic. There wasn't even a traditional bodice to hold her back, darling! She was pure freedom, just like her choreography – such a refreshing break from the tightly corseted elegance of previous styles!
But the truly important element, you might ask? That, my loves, is the way she moved, with such utter, exquisite lightness! Imagine this – not one grand pas de bourrée, not one majestic plié. Instead, an ethereal floating that mesmerized the audience, taking them into a world of dreams. She captivated, mesmerized, and made the audience breathless with awe, each movement more mesmerizing than the next! And the simplicity of her tunic, which could only be seen as a precursor to the tutus we all know and love today? My dears, I’m telling you, I felt chills!
As for myself, I spent every waking moment that week absorbing every inch of the city. The Opéra Garnier! A symphony of grand marble, swirling staircases, and ornate carvings, simply divine! Oh, my darlings, it's simply heaven! But as we all know, a trip to Paris isn’t just about ballet – it’s about the boutiques!
As soon as I got to Paris, my dears, I went shopping! It is always good to update my wardrobe, especially when it comes to a new colour for my tutu – perhaps a stunning lavender? And as for footwear, my latest obsession is shoes with the perfect little heel! This allows for a bit of extra height and helps with those extra grand jetes! Oh, darling, just think about it! Such fabulousness!
On this glorious day in Paris, my lovelies, my outfit had to reflect the magnificence of the day! You’re not going to believe it – I sported a glorious blush pink tulle, that was practically a vision! I mean, it has to be a show-stopping pink! I matched it with a pale ivory top – just enough of a contrasting elegance! Of course, my little pink handbag, complete with a bejeweled bow! Honestly, I think even a butterfly would get jealous of the grace of my movements!
Then came the deliciousness that is a Parisian afternoon. Tea, dainty sandwiches, pastries as pretty as ballet dancers themselves, all shared with a group of fashionable, giggling friends – you'll just have to trust me when I say it's truly a picture-perfect scene. And of course, every gathering is incomplete without the intoxicating tunes of a violin. 🎻 Just divine!
The magic of this week is going to stay with me for a very, very long time! So next week, dear friends, we'll be travelling even further, discovering the hidden corners of this ballet-loving world and all its elegant details, right here on #TutuTuesday.
I'll leave you all with the simple message that life, like a dance, should be celebrated! Enjoy the beauty around you, find your own graceful steps, and don't ever be afraid to let your inner ballerina shine!
And please, dear darlings, spread the joy of tutus far and wide! Let your imaginations take flight! Wear pink tutus with a heart full of joy and a smile that dances with every turn.
See you next Tuesday! Until then, keep your skirts twirling and your hearts happy.
Emma. ✨
