#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1843-09-05

Bonjour mes amies!

Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! It’s me, your favourite Derbyshire rose, Emma, ready to whisk you off on another fabulous trip through time, this week landing us right on September 5th, 1843. Buckle your tiaras, dear readers, we’re going to the grandest, most elegant place on Earth - Paris, darling!

It's Paris where fashion truly flourishes, and our tutu story this week begins there, but in a twist - not in a ballet studio! Today we are taking a peek at the stage behind the stage, and where else but the Opera Garnier!

Ah, The Paris Opera, that grand dame of performance, is steeped in a certain magic. Imagine a time where the building is in the middle of its magnificent reconstruction, an architectural dream that will stand the test of time, a masterpiece of marble and gilded balconies. It’s an incredibly exciting era, just buzzing with creative energy.

So what is happening on September 5th, 1843? Well, nothing too grand… unless you are the young, passionate composer Charles Gounod!

He’s here at the Opera, working on his first major piece - The Queen of Cyprus - an opera. Charles Gounod is a rising star in the French music scene and is composing some glorious scores for the opera, giving him a head start in a music career which is set to take off in such a glittering way, making him one of the biggest composers of the day.

Meanwhile, the magnificent dancers are all agog as they rehearse. Can you imagine performing in this majestic space? I have such a soft spot for the Paris Opera, I imagine it has a touch of that very special French ‘je ne sais quoi’.

While Charles is hard at work, in the world of ballet, dancers are getting ready to perform “La Sylphide”. A romantic ballet set in a rural Scottish glen, it’s full of dramatic emotions and mystical fairies! Imagine: the leading lady dancing in the forest under the moonlight in her romantic, ethereal tutu, her sheer skirt gently flowing as she glides across the stage. You simply must imagine her in pink!

While the romantic era of ballet is just in its baby shoes, there’s already a trend towards romantic tulle in dancing dresses. Just wait and see how this romanticism changes the ballerina fashion forever - oh my, such a dramatic change!

Imagine those gorgeous silk tutus being twirled on stage, a whisper of a skirt in layers of tulle! All very ethereal and magical. While the actual name ‘tutu’ doesn't officially pop into use for another decade or so, that enchanting tulle effect is all around - a glimpse of what’s to come for us ballerina dreamers!

The best bit, you can watch “La Sylphide” today, almost two hundred years on.

Can you picture those elegant movements of a classical dancer? So simple, yet full of such grace and beauty, with a touch of the dreamy! Think of pink, frills, swirling movements, and enchanting dancing! All part of this romantic era - that is a perfect marriage of elegance and passion, and this style of ballet is only getting more popular as the decade moves on!

However, whilst on a quick jaunt through the grand Parisian Theatre, the Palais Garnier, one of the grandest spots in the world! The Ballet and opera dancers are really getting the tutu ball rolling.

This fabulous, elegant venue, where Parisian society gathers for an evening of art and refinement - where else would you be, darling - gives us a sense of where this lovely tutusphere is headed. I love that by now, even though there are no formal tutu’s, everyone, is taking on this enchanting ballet style.

And as I peek through a window into the glittering world of Parisian Fashion in 1843 - how does it tie in with our Pink-Tutu journey? - you'll be pleased to hear it all!

Take this new fashionable tulle dance style for a whirl! Imagine those dresses for ballrooms and garden parties; they are getting so dreamy! They're like mini tutus made for elegant gatherings - full of beautiful swirls and ruffles. Just add *Pink, * and a little touch of *frills! * It’s a mix of whimsy and elegance that would definitely catch the attention of a lady with an eye for fine fashion.

That said, you may find an interesting connection to today’s world in the 19th century.

One thing is for sure, ballet is starting to reach new audiences all the time, the Parisian Opera is full of energy and passion, and this romantic era is showing that there are plenty of lovely pink twirls and spins in our tutu future.

Just look around today. Think of pink. Think of whimsy and tutus and elegant layers of chiffon.

Think of how these two seemingly distinct styles come together: the elegant Parisian women - and how their wardrobes echo the world of ballet.

Can you imagine, our love for tutus goes back for centuries? Now, as we sit here in the modern world, it’s clear to see that, throughout time, the world of ballet and fashion are interconnected.

I'll be back next week with more fun, family-friendly and fashion-forward #TutuTuesday tales from a time travel ballerina's life! Don’t forget to wear your pink tutu wherever you are and show your tutusphere some love.

Until then, Emma.