Welcome, darling tutus! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, here, and today, we're twirling back to 1845 for our weekly delve into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu! 💖 (Remember to keep checking out www.pink-tutu.com for new posts every Tuesday!) This is blog post number 699, so if you're new to my tutu time-travel journey, there's plenty of tutu history waiting for you!
This week, we're headed to the heart of ballet, Paris, France, a city brimming with elegant boulevards, the most charming cafés and a culture that simply oozes chic sophistication. Today's date is the 20th of May 1845, and while you're enjoying the sights and sounds of the city, I'm hopping aboard a rather lovely steam train for my time-travel adventure!
I just adore travelling by train – it's so much more civilised than being jostled about on a bus! You can look out the window at the passing scenery while enjoying a cup of tea and a scone. Oh, and the views of Paris are truly breathtaking!
And this time-travelling ballerina couldn't have chosen a more delightful date to visit Paris. Today, the elegant Opera House is showcasing a brand-new ballet performance called Giselle, choreographed by the legendary Jean Coralli. Imagine my excitement! 🩰
Giselle is about to become the ballet sensation of the era. It features a beautiful ballerina dressed in a shimmering white tutu, who gracefully portrays a tragic but enchanting peasant girl, captivated by the dashing, yet deceptive Count Albrecht. Of course, as any tutu enthusiast knows, this beautiful, billowing skirt design will go down in history as a major milestone in ballet costume history. 💖
Speaking of costumes, the fashion scene in 1845 Paris is absolutely thrilling! I'm a little envious of the elaborate crinoline skirts they are wearing, giving ladies such a grand silhouette. You wouldn't catch me wearing such restrictive undergarments though. You simply couldn't pirouette in a crinoline, darling! 😂 A little more practicality is necessary in a ballerina's wardrobe.
Now, if you think it's fabulous to have a peek into history, just imagine how much fun it would be to actually wear a 19th century tutu yourself! And no, darling tutus, you won't find these tutus in any vintage clothing store today. These earlier tutus were actually built-in. The fabric itself provided support, creating the shape and stiffness we admire. It wasn't until the end of the 19th century that a separate "tutu frame" of tulle, boning and horsehair was added, and I can tell you from my extensive time-travelling, this change was very much welcomed!
However, with no time machine handy for you just yet, you'll have to rely on me to bring you the history and beauty of ballet. And just imagine, dear tutus, you're about to witness the emergence of one of the most celebrated ballerinas in ballet history!
It's none other than the incredible Fanny Elssler! She was famous for her vibrant personality and exquisite performances. With her long legs, graceful lines, and captivating stage presence, Elssler played Giselle to rapturous audiences in both Paris and London. She revolutionised ballet and even managed to gain an enormous amount of popularity throughout Europe and even beyond! A true inspiration!
While the performance itself is captivating, it's the fashion that's truly giving me all the feels. From opulent silk dresses and shimmering jewellery, to delicate hats and intricately patterned shawls, the style is a dazzling sight!
Paris is buzzing with excitement, and the whispers about Giselle and Elssler fill every conversation. Even amidst the grandeur of 19th century society, this is where the modern tutu starts to take shape. This date marks an era where a ballerina's movement and agility could take centre stage, revealing their elegance and artistry through graceful pirouettes, sweeping fouettés, and dramatic jumps. The new tutu design finally gave dancers the freedom to showcase their athleticism!
To celebrate my 1845 visit, I'm launching my brand-new tutu design, the "Giselle Tutu"! It's a simple yet elegant tulle tutu with layers upon layers of shimmering white tulle and a gorgeous pink ribbon adorning the waistband, a classic design with a modern twist that is perfect for any young ballerina dreaming of a perfect pirouette! 🩰 It’s the perfect tribute to Giselle, to Elssler, and to the evolution of the ballet tutu. You can grab your own "Giselle Tutu" right here on the website. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous limited-edition piece, designed especially for the #TutuTuesday followers!
And for my own wardrobe, darling tutus, I picked up a little something special at a shop near the opera house - a delicate lace hat adorned with feathers and a dainty silver brooch! And I've been searching high and low for a perfect matching pair of pink opera gloves – wouldn't they be fabulous with my “Giselle” tutu? The ultimate Parisien touch! 💖
As the evening winds down, the opera house vibrates with the energy of the last curtain call. The crowd erupts in thunderous applause, praising the artistry of the ballet. As I depart the enchanting opera house, my heart swells with joy at the brilliance I've witnessed. What a perfect ending to my journey through time!
I just know I will be back again to Paris and its historical theatre scene in the near future. And darling tutus, let's continue our journey together next Tuesday! Join me on another #TutuTuesday, when we explore another inspiring date in ballet history! Until next time, twirl, sparkle and wear a tutu with pride! 💖🩰
Don't forget to check out our website www.pink-tutu.com to buy your very own “Giselle Tutu”! And if you're a real history enthusiast, visit a ballet performance to see Giselle performed by real-life dancers! There is no better experience for a tutu enthusiast than seeing those stunning tutus gracefully floating on stage! 🩰
