Hello my dearest tutu-loving darlings! Itās Emma here, your time-traveling fashionista and all-around tutu enthusiast. It's another delightful #TutuTuesday and you know what that meansā¦ it's time for a trip through the annals of ballet history, sprinkled with a generous helping of glitter and, of course, tutus! Today weāre taking the express train to a most splendid date: 2nd March 1841, a day buzzing with elegant energy in the very heart of Paris.
Now, imagine my surprise when I landed right into the heart of this buzzing, bustling Parisian salon. As always, I immediately threw myself into the fray, soaking up the atmosphere, observing the ladies in their fashionable frocks, the dapper gentlemen in their top hats, and yes, even a couple of tutus in the mix, though much different from our contemporary designs, wouldnāt you say?
This era is often referred to as the "Romantic era" in ballet, a time of beautiful music, lyrical movements, and dramatic emotions - just the perfect cocktail for an enchanting tutu. But unlike our airy, whimsical designs, tutus were still rather bulky and heavily embellished, creating a more dramatic silhouette. It was, after all, a period when the tutu served to accentuate the beauty of the dancerās form and grace rather than become a separate artistic entity of its own.
But before we dive deeper into the tutus, letās talk about why weāre here in Paris in the first place! Well, this was the year that the famed Italian ballerina Carlotta Grisi became a true superstar, soaring to international fame. Her talent and charm captivated the Parisian stage. But more than that, it was in this year that Grisi graced the stage in the groundbreaking ballet āGiselle,ā a timeless piece that is still a ballet favorite to this day. Can you imagine being part of that Parisian crowd as the curtain rises on that historic production?
Now, while Giselle might be famous for its tragedy and haunting choreography, its original choreography in 1841 included tutus in a much different style from the billowing, airy ones we see today. The skirts, for the most part, were more stiff and were designed to look like flower petals. Yes, petals! Now, if that's not a whimsical visual for you, I don't know what is!
The reason? Well, the choreographers wanted to achieve a "fairy-like" look to the ballerinas. This meant that they incorporated these rigid flower petals to the skirt to mimic a magical fairy's delicate flight. It's certainly a far cry from the ethereal designs we enjoy today, but these stiff, voluminous tutus gave the ballerinas a unique visual identity, capturing a dramatic look that is incredibly fitting for a tragic romantic story like āGiselle."
Of course, I couldn't leave Paris without doing a little bit of shopping! Imagine the delightful selection: silken fabrics in an explosion of colour, elaborate lace trims, intricate beading, and oh, the shoes! They were absolute masterpieces! But sadly, with my time travelling equipment, I canāt carry much baggage. So, a visit to the shops was a feast for the eyes, but shopping is best enjoyed as an experience rather than taking home bags full of booty, if you catch my drift!
However, what I did do, with my time travel bag, was a sneaky little pinch of an exquisite piece of Parisian silk that just begs to be incorporated into my own tutus back home in Derbyshire! As we speak, itās nestled amongst my sewing equipment waiting for its moment of magic to transform itself into something truly fabulous. After all, the time is always right for a little bit of fashion-infused time travel, isnāt it?
As the day fades and my time in Paris begins to wind down, I feel my excitement bubble over like a champagne glass at the end of a splendid evening! My mission today was to find inspiration in the elegant days of the 1840s, to uncover a fascinating little nugget of ballet history, and perhaps even sneak a glimpse into the fashion scene that sparked my passion for the magical world of the tutu.
Donāt forget, darling tutu lovers, Iām here every Tuesday to share this exciting journey through time with you, uncovering fascinating moments of ballet history, highlighting inspiring and creative costumes, and showing you just how truly magnificent the ballet has always been, and how magical a tutu really is!
So until next time, remember, ātutus are always a good idea, no matter where or when you are." Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comments, share this blog post with all your tutu-loving friends, and keep an eye out for your chance to win a fabulous prize! After all, sharing the joy of tutus is what makes this world a more sparkly and wonderful place.
XOXO,
Emma.
