#TutuTuesday: A Whirl Through Time! - Post 341
Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday blog post, fresh from the archives of history! Today we're twirling back to the 10th of July, 1838, for a peek into the world of dance and fashion, before the tutus we know and love became, well, iconic!
Now, I must confess, the 1830s weren't exactly known for their vibrant tutus. It's like our dance history is a giant, magnificent ballgown that we've slowly been taking layers off of until we've reached the dazzling tutu we adore today.
The Time-Travelling Train: Paris to Paris
Imagine this, darlings! I’ve just disembarked from a gloriously steam-powered train in Paris, which for those of you unfamiliar, is the heart of fashion and theatre in the world right now! The trains have changed everything. Instead of an excruciating coach ride for a journey across Europe, we can arrive with style and speed. Fancy, aren’t they? They’re even getting carriages specifically for women with fancy, pretty interiors. And I can bring a little suitcase, imagine! I wonder if they'll get bigger. I'll have to ask one of the train people.
Anyway, back to my travels...
Today's adventure is to the world-famous Opéra Garnier. Built in the mid-1800s, it’s an architectural masterpiece! Imagine a giant, magnificent building made of cream and gold, with sparkling chandeliers and intricate carvings. It's truly stunning.
Dance of the Times: Romanticism on Stage
I can hear the excitement in the air, dear readers. The ballet performance tonight features a beautiful new dance - "Giselle"! You can feel it in the hushed whispers and the flutters of excitement around the Opera House. It’s a truly romantic tale - full of tragedy and beautiful storytelling.
What the Dancers Wore: Grace and Simplicity
Now, while we're not seeing the famous, billowing tutus of today, the dancewear back then was no less captivating! Instead of layers of tulle, the ballerinas were gracefully moving in long, soft dresses. These dresses were quite a bit less extravagant than you'd see on a lady of the evening - very romantic, very flowing. Think Grecian style, very beautiful.
Of course, for a little added sparkle, the dancers would wear a light sash across their waists, with a dash of jewelry, nothing too over the top. Very elegant.
A New World: The Future of Dancewear
But I tell you, even back in these earlier times, there was a hint of the tutus we know and love. A subtle layering in some designs, perhaps with a hint of silk peeking through the fabrics. Imagine - those designers already had that magic within them! It takes a truly exceptional eye to see what's coming. Like seeing the first tiny daffodils in the middle of winter!
This little glimpse into the history of ballet tells us, my dears, that our passion for dance, for beautiful, flowing movements, has been a constant in this exciting and ever-changing world. And like every budding dancer dreaming of their big debut, the future of dance, and of tutus, is as bright as the chandeliers here at the Garnier. I just know that some wonderful and innovative designs will be revealed in the next few years and I can't wait to travel forward in time to see them.
My own style? Of course, as always, I had to have some pink in my wardrobe! I wore a pale blush silk dress with beautiful lace detail. It looked stunning and was so light I could twirl easily, even while boarding the train. My trusty ballerina flats are as important to me as my tutus!
And you know what, darlings? As I wander around this city of glamour and excitement, I get a distinct feeling that the time is right for a little revolution in ballet wear... and maybe that’s just the inspiration I need for the next phase of my travels… just wait for it, I’m already on the hunt for a new pink tutu!
*Don’t forget to check back in next Tuesday for another exciting journey into the world of tutus! In the meantime, keep those toes pointed, darlings, and may you all dance through your days with the elegance and grace of a true ballerina. *
P.S. Follow me on @EmmaPinkTutu and #PinkTutuProject, let's get the world wearing pink tutus, darling! We're aiming to spread our love of the tutus right around the globe!
Yours in pink, Emma