Hello, darling dancers and tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday!
This week, Iām whisking you back in time for a little trip down ballet's history lane. Get ready to twirl back to April 16th, 1844, my lovelies. Iām standing in a grand Parisian theatre, oh, so fancy, the scent of lilies and anticipation floating in the air. Weāre at the OpĆ©ra Garnier, a glorious spectacle of ornate detail and breathtaking beauty.
The Parisian Ballet
This date holds a special place in ballet history, you see, for it marked the premiere of Marius Petipaās breathtaking ballet "Giselle", a romantic tragedy that captures the hearts of audiences even today!
And oh my! Have you seen "Giselle's" tutus? They were a complete game-changer! The dancers, adorned in these diaphanous, tulle wonders, fluttered across the stage like celestial beings. These early tutus, known as āla tutu Ć la Grecque", or Greek style tutus, were short and bell-shaped. They didn't yet have the billowing fullness and layers that we associate with tutus today. Think of a little, delicate fairy dress ā oh, just delightful!
Now, we don't see many tutus as soft and whimsical as those original "Giselle" designs anymore, but those delicate creations ignited a revolution! Their lightness, grace, and sheer romanticism paved the way for the spectacular tutus of the late nineteenth century and the twentieth century. They created an exciting, theatrical movement that took center stage, so to speak.
The Parisian ballet at the time was flourishing with talent and extravagance, and "Giselle's" tutus were a beautiful reflection of the Parisian style. There were even discussions in ballet circles, amongst the discerning crowd and the elegant ballerinas, about how best to āimprove the lines and movementā of these ethereal creations.
As you can see, dear reader, the tutu has had a magnificent journey ā a transformation as breathtaking as any grand jetĆ©. Think of the intricate craftsmanship that goes into these beautiful garments ā a celebration of movement, lightness, and, dare I say it, femininity.
#PinkTutuTravels: Paris in 1844 ā A Fashionable Frolic!
Now, speaking of elegance, Paris in 1844 was the capital of fashion. Itās the only place to be if you love tutus and gorgeous frocks ā so much inspiration! I found a charming dressmaker on the Rue de Rivoli and just had to take her shop for a peek, and then naturally, indulge in some tutu-buying fun! They are still made from that incredible, diaphanous tulle ā you wouldnāt believe the sheer volume of it in that one shop!
I managed to find some beautifully preserved original "Giselle" tutus tucked away, stored with the greatest care ā I'll have to make them a post, I am just positively ecstatic! The dressmaker's granddaughter (who, believe me, inherited a delightful touch with fabric!) agreed to create me the most wonderful dress in pale pink silk. So chic and flattering, it matches the delightful tulle of the original "Giselle" tutus.
Paris in 1844, with a Pink Tutu ā Whatās a girl to do?!
Paris, even back then, was brimming with the thrill of the theatrical! It is, of course, no surprise that my #TutuTuesday travel-journal will have me catching a performance. Tonight, the OpĆ©ra Garnier is bursting with talent! I was fortunate enough to grab tickets, last-minute, of course, for āGiselleā. The performance itself, my dears, was something to behold. Imagineā¦ the story of a peasant girl who dances herself to death in love, so beautiful, so tragically romantic. Oh, I can just picture those ethereal, graceful movements under the dazzling chandeliers, those lovely little āGiselleā tutus ā and to see those enchanting "Giselle" tutus float and sway!
#PinkTutuTip ā Shop till you drop in Paris ā Tutus, Fabrics and Frocks ā oh My!
If you are ever fortunate enough to take a #PinkTutuTrip to Paris, don't be a fashion snob, indulge in some haute couture shopping. But don't be shy about mixing it up with a little more casual fun! Oh, don't you love strolling past a vibrant market? Take in the fresh scent of fruit and spices, a beautiful melody for your senses. Indulge in the delights of Paris, from the bustling markets to the charming, cobbled streets. The city itself has so much romance ā an unforgettable ballet!
Back in Derbyshire, with the Memory of a Parisian Ballet in my Tutu!
Now, itās back to Derbyshire, my sweet, quiet village, but my thoughts, my darling reader, are filled with Parisian memories. Those magnificent tutus, those beautiful ballerinasā¦ Paris is always with us in a tutu, is it not? Remember those charming, wispy little Greek tutus, so different to todayās voluminous, voluminous beauties. What an amazing change in the way ballerinas have transformed tutus from 1844 until today. Just amazing. Oh, I can't wait for my next Parisian ballet adventure!
Join me next week on #TutuTuesday for another dip into the ballet tutu timeline!
Donāt forget to post photos of your pink-tutu fashion moments on #PinkTutu, my lovelies! See you all then. Au revoir!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. We all love a good gossipā¦ whoās excited to hear more about how the iconic tulle skirt came about?? Stay tuned next weekā¦ it will be the *āTutu-Taleā you never expected!*
