Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, my lovely little dandies and dears! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-traveling fashionista, ready to whisk you away to the exciting world of ballet history, one tulle-tastic Tuesday at a time! Today, we’re going to twirl back to the 1840s – get ready to prance into a glorious period of creativity and beauty. This is post #858 on Pink-Tutu.com – so, if you’re just joining us, do explore my blog archives. There are so many fascinating stories to discover, dear!
It's so wonderful to be back in the magical land of Parisian ballet! This is where the magic of the tutu truly blossomed. Ah, the excitement of this elegant and cultured city. The buzz of excitement before a ballet performance, the intoxicating scent of freshly-baked croissants in a café after the show, the gentle tap, tap, tap of dancing shoes echoing from a dance studio in a by-gone age – simply magical. I must say, after a grueling train ride all the way from Derbyshire, my heart is bursting with happiness. And who could be more joyful than a little lady like me in a pink tutu, right? 🩰
A Little Slice of Parisian History: 1848
The date we are swirling into, 1848-06-06 – was a significant one for the history of France. Now, I’ll keep things simple and light as I’m writing this for the beautiful, ballet-loving ladies of the world (don’t you worry, gentlemen – there are pink tutus for you too! ) So, if I might simplify: in 1848 there were big changes taking place in France. It was a time of rebellion against authority. Just imagine - an unstoppable force for freedom, for equality and liberty!
Imagine, little ladies, if instead of a ballet, our elegant ball gowns and lace-up shoes were replaced by the call to arms and the rush to change the world! For a short while, France changed to a republic. Can you imagine, no monarchy, just freedom!
The power of dance, dear ones, can be like that – powerful, moving and impactful, making everyone want to join together and change the world, one perfect pirouette at a time. And remember my dearest loves, even through the big political changes of 1848, fashion never stopped inspiring, with every graceful dance a triumph of fashion, artistry and beauty. It was during this very year that the ‘romantic ballet’ rose to new heights with Giselle – such a dramatic and romantic tale of a tragic and ethereal maiden! You must see this magical ballet if you ever get the chance, darling! I am truly captivated by the tragic romance of the story and how the ballet reflects the yearning of humanity to embrace the ethereal and the mystical.
Let’s Discuss Tutus – the Dance of the Fashions
Speaking of the stage and Giselle, we must give credit to the genius that was Marie Taglioni. As you know, little ladies, a well-placed tutu adds a flourish and refinement to any outfit. But even in 1848, they looked somewhat different to what you see today. Let’s talk Marie for a moment - now she was a revolutionary dancer (but in a good way!). In the 1830s, she began making the iconic ballet tutu we all love today! Gone were the heavy layers of lace and frills. Imagine ladies, being able to twirl with freedom in a lighter design. Marie Taglioni helped introduce the ballet world to a lighter and shorter tutu.
Remember, darlings, ballet had always been about telling a story. The shorter, simpler and lighter style made her dance look so effortless – a dance of freedom and lightness!
Now, to return to the glorious city of Paris in 1848: Charles de Lully had an extraordinary influence on fashion, particularly in this era. His design sensibilities, coupled with Marie’s dancing, gave a fresh new perspective to what we see on stage – how ballet looked! He made ballet costumes that had grace and elegance, a look that enhanced the dancer’s movements and reflected the changing times of the late 1840s!
Imagine, a world in which your passion for dance is mirrored in your fashion choices - just what happened with these two individuals! What a delight! So let us look back with adoration on the legacy of both Marie Taglioni and Charles de Lully as the ballet tutus became a stage staple and a sartorial treasure in their own right, embracing lightness and freedom.
*Shopping, of course! *
It’s always an absolute delight to wander the enchanting boulevards of Paris! Even today, I love popping in to vintage stores and antique shops searching for gorgeous tutus! Paris truly was (and still is, my dears!), the city where fashion lovers met! Think haute couture and high-end designs, all creating the latest trends – truly magnificent!
It's no wonder that the iconic tutu, with its delicate and delicate frills has come to represent a fashion and ballet staple - just one look at those tiers of tulle and you'll feel like a fairytale princess!
And oh, ladies, wouldn’t it be wonderful to create your own elegant tutu fashion designs?!
The Best Pink Tutued Outfit:
My own Parisian delight was a flaming pink satin bolero jacket with puffed sleeves and pearl buttons. And of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a new tutu. Now I have one in a shade I am calling “Cherry Blossom Blush”. So, if you find me out and about in Paris in a tutu that has layers upon layers of soft pink tulle that has that perfect mix of delicate softness, and a shimmering texture then do pop in for a quick hello! If we don’t get to chat about all things ballet, at least we can have a good old-fashioned chin-wag about the world’s most fashionable accessory. What better place to do this than Paris, don't you agree?
Now I do hope, my dearest loves, that you have enjoyed your little trip back to the world of tutus with me today.
And to conclude our exciting ballet-infused adventures for #TutuTuesday, let’s take this opportunity to truly celebrate the beauty of ballet - that enchanting world of grace, art and movement, and how the elegance of tutus empowers our lives in more ways than one. Remember to keep on twirling and believing in your dreams – because, darling, you're already a beautiful ballerina at heart.
Until next week, and a tutu-fabulous Wednesday to you all. And never forget: the only way to wear a tutu is with a heart full of passion and a smile that says, "I'm here to shine." 💖
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Your lovely and tutu-tastic friend,
Emma 🩰
