Hello my darling dears, and welcome to another week of Ballet Tutu History! Iām Emma, your time-travelling tutu-wearing blogger, and I'm so excited to be bringing you all the latest in fashion from this gloriously colourful era. Today, my journey takes us back to June 19th, 1838, a date brimming with Parisian glamour and the dawning of a new style!
I'm positively brimming with excitement about todayās topic! You see, 1838 saw the birth of what I call āthe real tutuā ā that stunning, wispy confection of tulle that is both delicate and dramatic. Before then, ballerinas danced in rather cumbersome skirts, layers and layers of fabric, hindering their movements and hiding their graceful forms. It was, frankly, all a bit much.
Now, I have to confess, this historical period, the 1830s, isn't quite the tutu wonderland I imagine! Although they're starting to embrace them, tutus are not yet quite the iconic fashion staple they are now. But, trust me, thereās an exciting ballet trend afoot!
Picture it, a shimmering ballet theatre stageā¦ the lights are down and all eyes are on the star as the grand curtain rises! In the centre, there she is - a vision of elegance and movement - and she's wearing the most enchanting costume Iāve ever laid eyes upon - a tutu made from multiple layers of delicate tulle. A true sign of change is happening, darling!
These first tutus, they were a real revelation. It allowed the ballerinas to showcase their elegance and beauty with complete freedom and flexibility. Youāve got to admit, that's something every dancer appreciates!
The tutus of the 1830s, with their generous, swirling shapes, werenāt yet the super-short tutus youāve probably pictured from the world of classical ballet. They were a bit longer then, but donāt get me wrong, just as fabulously flowy and elegant. Imagine, my dear readers, layers upon layers of delicate tulle cascading around their figures like the gentlest of storms - oh, simply stunning!
Now, Iāve been researching this day, and letās travel back to that exact moment in historyā¦ 19th of June, 1838. Iāve checked my travelogue. Hmmmā¦. Oh! My! Goodness! I must dash! It's an extraordinary day - The "The Barber of Seville" is premiering in Paris! My dear readers, can you imagine - A whole performance celebrating ballet and beautiful dresses! Now thatās something Iāve got to see, so let me just grab my ballet flats and my lovely pink tutu and join the throngs in Paris for this must-see event!
Can you imagine the excitement as I take my seat? Oh, the joy of it all - Watching the beautiful ballerina's spin, jump, and glide in their new tutu costumes! You know me, my dears, my eyes are constantly scanning for new fashion trends, and the 1830s had many up their sleeve! Think, luxurious satin fabrics and romantic lace, delicately stitched onto flowing garments and accessories. The whole air just buzzes with the creative energy of the era!
Of course, after the show, Iām on the hunt for the most fantastic stores in the City of Lights. What could be more satisfying than finding the newest tutus and fabulous accessories? Now, this era just brims with beautiful creations! The shops are a real treat, brimming with all manner of enchanting thingsā¦ I simply must tell you all about it.
Oh, the fabric shops! My favourites are those with shelves groaning with beautiful satin ribbons in all shades, and drawers crammed with lace as delicate as the wings of a butterfly. There's something special about lace - it's an exquisite element, so delicate, so romantic.
Now, we all know my favourite colour is pink, and the shops here in Paris are really upping their pink game! I found a silk and lace fan trimmed with the most exquisite pink ribbon. You simply can't have too much pink! They've got this delightful pink dye - so vibrant, and yet soft. The ladies love a dash of pink - it's a charming splash of femininity to the fashionable dress. Itās not surprising they chose pink for their dancing slippers, it really brightens up the stage and complements those tulle skirts.
Iām so happy that Iāve arrived at this period, just at the moment tutus are being embraced! Just think of how exciting this must be for all those young girls with dreams of becoming a ballerina. Just imagine them being whisked away to dance and swirl on stage. To look so elegant and graceful in such a lovely outfit!
And on that note, I must say - let's keep encouraging everyone to wear pink tutus! Just picture it - our streets awash in a delightful pink ocean of twirling tutu's! Now wouldn't that be a sight to behold! Until next week, my dears, remember to keep your twirls and your tutus lovely!
