Hello darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling blogger, back with another post in my #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History series!
As you all know, I have a deep and abiding love for the beautiful world of ballet. The graceful movements, the stunning costumes, the soaring music…it's truly magic! But one of my very favourite aspects of the ballet world has to be the tutu, the star of any ballet performance, don't you agree?
Today, we're whisking ourselves back to January 2nd, 1844. This is quite a special date because, whilst the tutu hadn't yet quite hit the peak of its sartorial fame, we're still very much in the exciting era where these glorious garments were being refined and evolving.
Imagine, dear readers, bustling Paris in 1844. A time when fashion was both grand and delicate, a period of crinoline extravagance and ruffled lace. You'd see beautiful ladies in wide-skirted dresses and ornate bonnets, the streets filled with a flurry of colour and the aroma of freshly baked pastries. It’s not a world far removed from a vintage movie set!
Now, let's picture this... in the heart of this fashionable Paris, we have the enchanting Théâtre de l'Opéra, a stage where the greatest dancers of the day captivated audiences. And there, under the sparkling chandeliers, you’d find dancers gracing the stage in skirts that flowed like a vision, some shorter and fuller, some longer and more graceful.
This is the time of the romantics, when ballerinas were embracing a more airy and ethereal style. The dancers moved with an expressive fluidity, their forms enhanced by these flowing, wispy garments.
You see, darlings, this is a time when tutus, while still in their infancy, are starting to take on that form we recognise today! The evolution from long skirts to these delicate dance-centric garments is fascinating, isn't it? Imagine, they were just finding out what would look best and move best for this exciting new form of expression!
So what's to be said about our chosen day, January 2nd, 1844? I think it's a good moment to stop and really imagine the Paris that surrounds this historical ballet date. A world filled with elegance and creativity, a world where the art of dance was flourishing.
I simply must share one of the most exciting ballet experiences I've had, which is just the tiniest bit connected to this date:
One of my travels brought me to the enchanting town of Verona in Italy, home to Romeo and Juliet and all things romantic! Of course, a trip to Verona wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Arena di Verona, the ancient amphitheatre that still hosts incredible opera and ballet performances today! It's truly a remarkable place to experience the arts.
The show that evening featured “La Traviata”, a beloved opera about love and sacrifice. Now, I was particularly enchanted by the ballerina playing Violetta, her pink tutu billowing around her as she glided across the stage with such grace!
After the performance, I couldn’t resist wandering through the local markets, trying to soak up the romantic atmosphere. And, my dear readers, I just had to find myself the most charming little pink ballet skirt in a beautiful shade of rosy pink. It's now my prized possession! I can just imagine myself twirling in the centre of the Arena under the Italian moon, perfectly fitting into this timeless and stunningly romantic setting.
Anyway, I'm starting to get lost in a romantic dream again! As much as I could go on all day about the beauty of the ballet, I must remind you of what is truly important: the joy of dancing! The tutus and the performances and the breathtaking beauty of the art form itself.
But most of all, remember to dance with the same lightness, grace, and joy as the ballerinas of 1844 - you can find your inner ballerina anywhere and anytime, darling!
Don't forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com next Tuesday for another installment of #TutuTuesday. I promise you won't want to miss it! Until next week, keep your head high and your steps light. Remember, the only limit to your dancing dreams is your imagination.
And, darling, never forget... always twirl!
With love and glitter,
Emma
