Bonjour, mes amies! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on a whimsical journey through history with my #TutuTuesday blog post. This week, we're taking a trip to June 30th, 1840, right in the heart of the era where ballet truly began to take flight (much like a graceful ballerina in mid-pirouette, wouldn't you say?)
The air hums with the elegant flutter of skirts and the thrilling melody of string quartets, and London's glittering society is absolutely buzzing for the next grand performance at Her Majesty's Theatre! The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a hot spot too - after all, you canât have a tutu history without the very spot that birthed many of the classics! And of course, you canât forget about the Paris Opera, they are dazzling everyone with their extravagant shows, oh lĂ lĂ !
Today, on June 30th, we're soaking up the romantic atmosphere. This time period, you see, is all about airy, light, and delicate looks. Romantic ballet is blossoming with elegance and emotion. The ladies have already started swapping out the cumbersome layers of dresses of yesteryear for flowing, gauzy materials that accentuate their grace and freedom of movement. This is exactly where tutus start to shine - though theyâre not exactly the tutus you see on the stage today!
Speaking of tutus, you simply must imagine them. Picture a lovely layered skirt made of muslin, fine tulle, and perhaps a little bit of silk. This is a look of femininity that exudes poise and poise - just picture a princess waltzing through a forest of dandelions, so graceful and free. This early, early tutu isnât yet a tight, single-layered construction â think of it as a flowing, graceful soft and light and allows for even the most intricate pirouette and jump without impeding the ballerina's movements. They may have some embroidery, a dash of tulle - but keep in mind, we're not quite ready for the dazzling explosion of ruffles, bows and layers that would soon follow!
Oh, but thatâs what I love most about these eras - the gradual shift from one trend to another. Itâs like watching a beautiful story unfold, one stitch at a time. If you could only see these performances in their entirety, the drama and artistry are truly breathtaking! It's a complete feast for the senses - even better than my favourite cake shop!
In my trusty pink tutu, Iâve managed to grab some snippets of dialogue at a London cafĂ© this afternoon. One gentleman, dressed in a splendidly tailored coat and silk scarf, exclaims âWhy, darling, Iâve never seen such a light and delicate stage performance before! Itâs almost as if she's a feather, drifting on a gentle breeze!â His companion, a charming young woman with an ethereal veil, agrees: âSuch beauty and movement, darling, truly enchanting!" She then murmurs, "Isnât the dancing quite unlike anything you've seen in France? They must be so jealous." You have to be very careful to stay invisible, or theyâd start asking questions!
The real treat of my time travel, of course, is experiencing these magnificent performances live. You can't beat the magic of seeing ballerinas flit across the stage, their bodies moving with a delicate precision that still thrills my soul to this day! The costumes - they are an entire show in themselves! Theyâre still being honed - but let me tell you, a few little frills on a skirt or a few shimmering beads will go a long way towards enhancing that dramatic flair! And the orchestra! Oh my, itâs a symphony of romance, perfectly complementing the breathtaking moves of each ballet dancer. You could see these performances over and over again and still find something new to marvel at!
Back in Derbyshire, though, I have some homework! Thereâs no way to truly appreciate a tutuâs history without taking a deep dive into the materials and methods behind them, and all those fancy flourishes that go with them. Let me tell you - itâs not just sewing! These exquisite dresses are made using specific fabrics, intricate techniques that take ages and expertise. Iâve managed to gather a few resources: A Parisian fashion magazine, "La Belle AssemblĂ©e,â that talks about materials, a sketch book filled with design ideas by a young English fashion designer, and of course, an account book from one of the Theatre Royal's workshops - full of invoices and descriptions of each beautiful ballerinaâs custom made tutu! I have SO many new ideas! But for now, darling, I'll need to do my research.
If youâre truly inspired to understand this enchanting evolution of the tutu, thereâs no better place to start than exploring the history of ballet. This incredible art form has had an immeasurable impact on our understanding of femininity, dance and dress. You see, everything's a little bit different back in my time â from how you wear your hair, the lengths of your gowns, to the hats you might wear. Even if we have tutus, you wonât see many on the streets, no, you wouldnât!
Oh, speaking of trends â the pink is truly catching on this season. From a little touch in my dress trimming to my ballet slippers - pinkâs absolutely blooming this year, so naturally I have to dress accordingly! Maybe, just maybe, one day we'll even be able to all embrace the fabulous power of the pink tutu on the street! But in the meantime, my darlings, stay curious, and may your heart always find grace in every pirouette of life. Happy Tuesday!
- Emma (xx)
- If youâre looking for some enchanting music from 1840, check out the London Symphony Orchestra. It's worth a listen - trust me!
- For more glimpses of fashion history and beautiful images, take a look at The Costume Institute of New Yorkâs fantastic resources â they have some truly incredible displays!
- Want to see even more of these magical tutu stories? Be sure to subscribe to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com for your weekly dose of pink-tutu goodness! And if you love what youâve seen here today, feel free to share this blog post!
*Disclaimer: Time Travel is dangerous and should not be attempted. All time travelling is conducted by licensed time traveller and does not include travel back in time to create a paradox, or any alteration to the past, as this can lead to unforeseen consequences in the present day. Always be respectful to time travellers when travelling, and follow the rules at all times!
