Bonjour mes chéries!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we celebrate all things pink and tutu! I'm Emma, your resident time-traveling ballerina, and this week, we're waltzing back to 23rd June 1840, a date etched in ballet history!
Today, darling readers, we’re diving into the world of tutus just as the Romantic era was really starting to blossom. Back then, tutus weren't the show-stopping, flamboyant masterpieces we know and love today. It’s like a totally different universe when you’re talking about ballet history.
Can you imagine, just over 180 years ago, there were no pink tutus, no sequined tutus, no tulle, just layers of heavy satin and a simple skirt to make the dancers’ movements look light.
I’ve seen photos, though – the dancers back then really could move!
I’m just getting so excited talking about this era and my upcoming visit! It’s so much fun to look back at how our tutus have changed and the amazing progress we've made.
Where Are We?
This week, our time-travel escapade takes us to the very heart of ballet - Paris, darling! It’s simply brimming with elegant ladies and gentlemen, a world of beautiful theatres and, of course, ballets galore!
It's said that Parisian society was absolutely smitten with ballet back in 1840, much like we are today with everything K-pop! Can you imagine that? The whole town obsessed with a certain dance form. Well, perhaps that’s not a huge leap for any of us true tutu lovers. I can guarantee Paris was the place to be, if you wanted to see the best, the most advanced, the most fashionable performances.
The Theatre de l’Opera, which we’ll be visiting soon, is not only an incredible sight, but it has housed so much incredible ballet throughout the years – so much history on those steps! I am particularly thrilled that we can finally get some tutu inspiration from its incredible architecture. Just thinking about all those delicate dancers, pirouetting beneath its stunning arches!
Now, on to the star of the show – the tutus of the day.
Let’s start with the dancers’ long, floor-length, billowing skirts, which were absolutely beautiful! So romantic! And elegant! And they flowed perfectly when the dancers danced. These skirts weren’t made with lightweight, breathable materials that are popular today; we’re talking heavy, satin fabrics, the sort of material that would make your granddad’s dinner jacket feel light!
This style was perfect for those graceful, expressive dances they were perfecting in the Romantic era. Imagine being so agile in those massive skirts – true strength, I say! Imagine swirling through those grand halls in those gorgeous skirts! Imagine how beautiful it would have been!
Of course, I’ll be indulging in a spot of shopping, even if I can’t buy a ready-made pink tutu yet. It wouldn’t even be remotely the same! We’ve had so much fun on this blog discovering the stories behind the tutus we know and love today and how it came to be a fashion trend everyone can wear!
The shopkeepers were more interested in getting their dresses made for the big, fancy balls rather than fashionable tutus, even though dance was very popular at that time, but this wasn’t quite the era of the tulle skirt – a little too ahead of the times! You will find more inspiration in the shops of this period when it comes to grand, floor-length ball gowns with puffed sleeves, rather than the cute, frilly pink ballerina dress, of course. You know I'd rather wear a pink tutu!
So, here I am, my dear readers, standing on the brink of ballet history, excited to soak up the magic and see what extraordinary outfits our talented dancers wear!
I promise, you’ll be getting a lot of tutu inspiration! I can't wait to show you all the incredible things I’m discovering, from the captivating dance routines to the most beautiful designs from that era!
And on a very important note:
I shall be doing all my travelling via train! There is nothing I adore more than travelling by rail; it’s far more enjoyable, a far better way to take in the beautiful landscape than zipping past in some sort of futuristic mode of transport.
Until next time, keep twirling!
Emma xx
PS: Be sure to join us on Instagram @PinkTutu and let me know if you have any suggestions about my tutu-venture to the past!
