Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where tutus reign supreme! It's #TutuTuesday again, and this week I'm whisking you back to 1839, a year brimming with fashion and flair. Buckle up, buttercup, because we're going on a delightful trip through time!
I'm currently perched on a plush velvet cushion in the grand opera house of Paris. Yes, the city of love, of fashion, of, you guessed it, tutus! While I'm here, you better believe I'm making the most of it. I just bought the most divine pair of silk gloves with intricate embroidery â the colour is a shade of pink that would make even a blusher blush! And, of course, Iâm absolutely rocking my new pink tutu - a delicate cloud of tulle that would make any ballerina swoon!
Speaking of ballerinas, let's delve into the glorious world of tutus in 1839. This year saw the burgeoning popularity of Romantic ballet. Forget the stiff, formal steps of the past! Now, the dance became about graceful movements, ethereal emotions, and costumes that truly reflected the dreamlike stories unfolding onstage. Think billowing fabrics, flowing lines, and delicate shades that evoked the magic of nature.
Tutus were evolving! While still relatively simple in design, they were gaining new elements that captured the spirit of Romanticism.
In 1839, one of the first documented tutus worn on stage was designed for Marie Taglioni in the ballet âLa Sylphide.â The skirt was fashioned from very fine tulle - an exceptionally light, fine material, creating an almost ethereal effect. And let me tell you, darlings, when Taglioni took flight across the stage, she wasn't just dancing, she was flying. Imagine - a magical vision, all billowing white tulle and graceful leaps, bringing an air of sheer femininity to the stage!
I'm just thrilled that we have this record of such a fabulous tutu and a record of its wearer in Marie Taglioni. She was known as the âgoddess of the dance,â and you can just see why. Such poise and elegance â not to mention her breathtaking leaps! That year, Taglioni stole the show at the Paris Opera. People were mesmerized!
And, remember my dears, fashion is contagious! Just as we get caught up in the excitement of a new collection these days, back then, people started copying these fashionable looks.
By the late 1830s, tutus had become the cornerstone of any respectable ballerina's wardrobe, even though they weren't really the âde rigueurâ attire they've become today. Can you imagine life without them, darlings? It simply wouldnât do!
Of course, tutus werenât just a Parisian sensation. My dear Derbyshire - where my time-traveling adventures always begin - was becoming equally enchanted by this new fashion trend! We might not have grand opera houses in Derbyshire, but we did have our local theatre troupes. Ballet became all the rage and I guarantee you, our ballerinas were rocking the most delicate tutus in the county.
You might be surprised to hear that tutus even had a role in the world beyond the theatre. Fancy ball gowns were getting that same flowy, delicate aesthetic - they were embracing tulle, ruffles, and feminine shapes that were perfectly in tune with the times.
This brings me to what else is hot in 1839 - the beautiful bonnets that graced the ladiesâ heads. These werenât your grannyâs modest caps. Oh, no! 1839 saw grand creations adorned with silk flowers, plumes of feathers, and ribbons that swished with every move! They added such a feminine flair, even outshining those glorious tutus - and trust me, I say that as a dedicated tutu enthusiast!
Speaking of feminine flair, you know how much I love shopping, so naturally, I made a bee-line for the grand department store in Paris â just because I had to see the latest fashion! Oh, it was a dream, with its luxurious displays and aisles overflowing with the finest fabrics! And let me tell you, a little pink ribbon was the perfect finishing touch for every outfit. Even men were rocking cravats with shades of pink, showcasing a softer, more gentle side. You see, pink was a colour everyone wanted in their lives. Iâm hoping to start a similar trend with pink tutus!
Fashion in 1839 was a mix of ethereal elegance and daring innovation â much like my journey through time! Each adventure is unique, brimming with history and glamour. Oh, my time-traveling expeditions can be so tiring! And as for tonight, I'll be seeing the ballet at the grand opera house. It wouldnât do to miss it!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my dears, keep on twirling!
With love and a cloud of tulle,
Emma
xx
