Bonjour, darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina! 👋
It's a glorious #TutuTuesday, and this week I've taken a whirlwind trip back to 26th March, 1839. 🚂 A very special date indeed, because it was on this day that the first ballet class for children was established in drum roll Paris! 🎉
The city of love was already buzzing with ballet, but this new class at the Salle de Danse* changed the game! Now little ladies like me could learn the graceful steps and twirls, making them truly the danciest, swishiest children in town. 🩰
As you can imagine, my pink tutu was absolutely necessary for the occasion. I mean, how can you teach the art of graceful movement without a bit of frilly pink loveliness? The girls just had to have them, you see! 🌸
And just think - they got to wear these tutus back then?! It’s practically mind blowing, especially since ballet wasn’t the wildly popular artform it is today. But back then, these sweet little ballerina’s, learning their plies, arabesques, and port de bras in their pink tutus, were part of something truly revolutionary! 🥰
Fashion Flashback!
As someone with an eye for the beautiful things, let’s talk fashion! Now, unlike today with its fabulous plethora of tulle and satin options, in 1839, the early ballet tutu wasn’t quite so, well, tutu-esque if you will! 😅
Think more simple, light skirt – still graceful, but lacking the volume and frill we've come to associate with ballet. But a bit of colour? Yes, they were quite fond of shades of white and rose back then, oh so charming, no? 🌹
So, while the tutus might not have been the fluffiest masterpieces of today, their simple elegance paved the way for the dramatic designs and fantastical silhouettes we know and love. Just imagine a whole room full of giggling little girls learning to pirouette, wearing tiny tutus. The scene warms my heart! 💕
Paris: A City for Tutus!
Ah, Paris, my second home, what can I say?! It is where tutus have always reigned supreme! 🤩 Walking along the Seine in my pink tutu, admiring the cobbled streets and enchanting architecture, it was almost like I’d travelled through time to see this vibrant ballet scene.
If you can believe it, even way back then, Paris was already embracing the theatrical, and nothing was more dramatic than a show stopping tutu. Imagine my delight at seeing the opulent Palais Garnier Opera House and the magnificent costumes it was housing! The opulence of the dresses and the artistry of the ballerinas had me completely captivated. It felt like stepping into a gilded cage full of beautiful, strong, elegant women! 💫
I mean, it was no wonder the tutu came to define Parisian fashion. Think of it, ladies! It was so utterly captivating, so stylish and airy - you could move so beautifully in it! It felt like the essence of freedom! And those early ballerinas knew it! It's not surprising they took Paris by storm. 🇫🇷
Tutu Tips for Today:
For my fellow tutu-loving babes, here’s what I learnt on my latest time-travel jaunt:
- Embrace your individuality, dear darlings. Back then, simple, yet stunning was the style of the time. The girls didn’t need elaborate embellishments to make a statement. Their graceful steps were more than enough to enchant audiences.
- Confidence, darlings, confidence! It was not about size or weight, but the joy of dancing, expressing themselves, and their skill!
- Stay curious, keep learning, keep moving and grooving - after all, even in those early years, dance, particularly ballet, was evolving to break through limitations.
It was absolutely lovely to get back to Paris, to be a part of ballet’s beginning, and yes, I’ve brought some truly amazing inspiration for upcoming posts, so be sure to keep your eye on my blog for my upcoming #TutuTuesday’s. 🤫
Until then, happy twirling! 💃
- Emma xo
P.S. What is your dream tutu like? Tell me about it in the comments, and I might just wear it on a future journey! ✨
