Welcome, darlings, to post #293 of my Ballet Tutu History blog! I'm your time-travelling tutufanatic, Emma, and this Tuesday we're twirling back to August 8th, 1837. It's a time of great excitement in the world of ballet, my lovelies, and, of course, that means tutuedom is thriving!
Oh, before I forget, I'm currently based in Paris, the haut couture hub of fashion! It’s a real whirlwind of silk, sequins and, you guessed it, more tutus than you can shake a feather boa at! And, quelle surprise, it's the Queen’s birthday! I heard that young Queen Victoria is rather fond of ballet. Perhaps a royal pink tutu awaits her in the future? One can only dream!
Speaking of dreaming, we're whisking back to 1837. The stage is a glorious spectacle of flowing tulle and billowing satin. There's a sense of romance in the air – just like my favourite tulle skirt, of course!
But let's get down to the nitty gritty – the tutu history! You see, dear readers, the tutu of this era is evolving from the traditional ‘bell skirt’ to something a bit more exciting! Imagine – layered frills and floating tulle, all meticulously crafted and expertly draped to showcase the graceful movement of the ballerinas. The emphasis on lightness and flow creates an ethereal aura on stage, quite unlike anything before. It’s pure magic!
One particular ballerina who caught my eye is Marie Taglioni. A vision in white, her graceful leaps and delicate steps in a shimmering tutu were absolutely divine. You could say, she truly defined grace and elegance in movement, much like I’m attempting to do with my own fashion choices, of course!
The romantic ballet style, oh, it’s so inspiring! Every performance is a beautifully woven tapestry of dramatic flair, dramatic costumes, and exquisite movement. This era really embraces theatricality, which, you all know, I'm utterly smitten with!
And don't think for a moment the tutu is just about ballet! It’s a staple in high society gatherings too. Just picture it: elegant ladies gliding through ballrooms in these beautiful tutus, all smiles and twinkling jewels, looking like fairytale princesses. Talk about romantic, don’t you think? I'm already daydreaming about crafting a modern tutu inspired by those designs, don’t worry, you’ll all be seeing the creations in the next post!
However, dear friends, my time-travelling tutus do not come free! I earn every pink feather boa and sparkly appliqué by dazzling audiences with my own dancing – that’s right, I perform! Last night I took to the stage at the Theatre des Varietes in a glittering pink tutu. The audience absolutely loved it, bien sûr! There’s something magical about dancing under the theatre’s spotlight and leaving the crowd mesmerised by the movement and grace.
And just a little glimpse into the world outside of tutus… oh, what joy! Paris is filled with grand boulevards, elegant shops, and delightful cafés, all humming with Parisian life. The shops are teeming with beautiful silks and exquisite laces that inspire my own sartorial creations! Don't worry, I will definitely post a separate post showcasing some of the wonderful French fabrics that caught my eye.
But let's get back to the piece de resistance! Today, dear readers, is August 8th, 1837. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, and the whole world feels full of possibilities, just like the twirling tulle of my beloved pink tutu.
Do make sure you stay tuned for more of my adventures in #TutuTuesday next week. And in the meantime, be sure to visit my website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more historical information and my personal blog. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram too for even more daily doses of tutus, ballet, and everything sparkly!
Until next Tuesday,
Keep twirling, my darlings!
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to send in your questions! Maybe you want to know how the Victorian era affected tutus? Perhaps you're curious about the history of the romantic ballet? Just send me an email or message – I’d love to chat and discuss anything tutu-related. I have so much more to tell you!
