#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1848-03-14

Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your trusty guide to all things tulle and twirls, from the bustling streets of Paris to the dusty corners of ballet history! Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane, and by lane, I mean the Grand Boulevard in Paris!

It's Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday on pink-tutu.com and, this week, I'm excited to take you back to 14th March, 1848! Yes, you read that right! Can you imagine? We're going to dive into the ballet world, just after a big political upheaval, which happened just a week before! I just can’t imagine life without voting! What a time for women’s history in ballet and the history of the tutu.

Before we even talk about ballet, let’s talk a bit about where we are. I'm in Paris, which in my humble opinion, is the most wonderful place on earth. I mean, I've been everywhere - London, Moscow, even Rome! But there's a special spark to Paris, and I'm absolutely smitten with it! It's a city where fashion reigns supreme and you'll find everyone is up on the latest trends. It's a feast for the eyes and a joy to be around, even though my new favourite shop on rue de la Paix has closed down due to a little riot. It makes getting that perfect Parisian ensemble a bit more difficult - oh the irony of a revolutionary time happening next door to all of those amazing silk stores!

To celebrate the day, I’m heading to the Opéra. I’ve seen their poster plastered everywhere in town. It seems they’re putting on La Esmeralda, starring the famous, (and fabulously glamorous), dancer Carlotta Grisi! The posters say it's based on Victor Hugo’s novel! I know I must buy one! She’s quite a style icon - in fact, the poster of the production says that she even got her dress designed by Charles Frederick Worth! Now that's fashion, my dears! I know she is known for being a talented and popular dancer in her prime, with all the drama on stage I must take this trip back in time to see her for myself. The story about Esmeralda’s beauty and her unfortunate circumstances is just tragic! I think the costume is likely to be an elegant example of ballet costume with romantic flair! A big flowing skirt and a long white dress in this new fashion I hear called Romantic - quite dramatic indeed. I might even wear a matching pink outfit - a Romantically styled pink dress, just to really stand out in the audience.

Just a little hint for the ballet fans! There are two types of tutus being worn in the Romantic Era: a loose skirt - kind of like a soft and bouncy layered skirt made from multiple layers of gauze or tulle, and a form-fitting costume, which will usually incorporate some layers of tulle, but is still quite figure-hugging! There’s more structure on the hips with these outfits to match the shape of the dress. These days in 2022, there are loads of tutus in ballet – from those for class work, to the ones with long gauzy skirts – oh there are just so many wonderful shapes and sizes, it’s all amazing, so this little style tip will help to see those things change in this production.

I must confess, though - seeing all the wonderful ballet tutus, I really do miss the simple joy of a ballet class. We’re taking a few dance lessons later this week so it'll be nice to be dancing at the École de Danse on the rue de Bretagne - just a few blocks away - but for today I need some haute couture from the lovely rue de la Paix.

As always, you can stay in touch via my weekly newsletter and if you're ever visiting Paris or have a story you'd love to share, please don't hesitate to reach out on Instagram! Let me know which styles are your favourites! And, please! Get out your pink tutus, my lovelies and join me for some twirling in the spirit of La Esmeralda and I’ll see you next #TutuTuesday. Ciao!

Speaking of trends, my darlings, there's no time like the present to embrace a bit of Romanticism. Just as ballet tutus, skirts, and sleeves are all about adding lots of soft flounces and graceful drape, this can be reflected in our own fashions! Forget the big hoop skirts - a lovely loose and drapey pink dress would look utterly delightful and pair perfectly with that delicate pink lace. We’ll talk about the latest trends for my outfits next week, which I am very much looking forward to!

Remember to check in every Tuesday, where we can celebrate all things tutus, history, dance, fashion, style, and discover together the enchanting world of ballet!

This blog is for those who love ballet, love fashion, love travel and love to share that love of all things dance. Here you'll find dance tutorials and interviews with inspiring people who are just a little bit fabulous, and more about ballet costumes - you know, tutus of course. The tutus have to get a mention in every blog!

• www.pink-tutu.com *

Emma, your enthusiastic, time-travelling fashion guide! She is an avid ballet fan with a passion for travel. With a trusty pink tutu in tow she travels the world discovering beautiful dance and amazing fashions, and bringing her experiences to the blog, pink-tutu.com This weekly blog tells the stories of a world through the eyes of someone who really loves a good performance!

She always embraces the beauty and elegance of each era while still managing to incorporate that quintessential touch of pink, to help bring a splash of joy and creativity into everything.

The events featured on this blog are historical. If you happen to be travelling to Paris in 1848, try to be sensible and safe and be wary of the unrest, though in my time traveling experiences, the Parisians have always been helpful. They love dancing too! Just like you and me!