Post #864
Hello my darling Tutu-ettes! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-clad historian, ready to whisk you away on another time-traveling adventure! This week we're taking a trip to the City of Lights, the glorious, elegant, fashion-forward Paris of July 1848.
Hold onto your bonnets, darlings, because it’s been a whirlwind of a journey, filled with revolution, political upheaval, and yes, some stunning Parisian fashions! And what could be better than that, eh?
So why Paris, you ask? Well, dear reader, you see, whilst most folk were preoccupied with the political turbulence swirling around the city, our story takes a twist down a different kind of boulevard, a boulevard filled with frills and fancies, and yes, that fabulous tutus! It’s true, this is the era where the ballerina’s tutu, a symbol of ethereal grace, starts making its grand debut! Oh, how we do love a bit of fashion history, don’t we?
Let's take a closer look, shall we?
The Revolutionary Year of Tutus
Imagine a young woman – full of life, and passion, leaping and bounding across the stage, swirling in a cloud of tulle. This was a rare sight before 1848, where ladies were generally corseted and covered. But then the winds of change blew in, and as revolutions sparked in France, so too did the revolutionary, more free-flowing fashions. And what better than a light and airy tutu to capture the air of freedom and artistry of this dramatic period, eh?
The Great Change - Ballet's Move to the Short Skirt
Our journey back in time starts with a rather scandalous (and now very much fashionable!) shift away from long, heavy skirts worn by the dancers at the time. You see, a long, full skirt on a ballerina really wasn’t very practical for, you know, all that twirling, leaps and all the intricate footwork the girls do on stage.
And so the famous French dancer, Marie Taglioni, took matters into her own hands – a true visionary of our time. She introduced the "tutu," the shortened, flowing skirt we know and love today! Now I know what you’re thinking, my lovely Tutu-ettes – isn’t that the same as a ballet skirt worn by the dancers now? Well, the tutu as we know it – short, romantic and elegant, that came in the years after our 1848 date. It's still a world of change we're living in. Think, you've only got one tutu at a time. Now that's what I call progress.
Tulle Takes Center Stage!
It seems like Taglioni, inspired by the swirling, flowing gowns worn by the elite Parisian society, took this one step further! Tulle – this wonderfully delicate fabric that's lighter than a feather (oh, I’m tempted to have another frock made with some tulle myself!) - gave the ballerinas a newfound sense of movement. And so, my lovelies, our history-making ballerina brought in the era of the graceful, floaty, twirly tutus - the fashion inspiration to us all!
From the Stage to the Street
Yes, we love to dress up here on Tutu Tuesdays, don't we? It's true - our ballet tutus weren't just for the stage, darling, but also for the elegant promenade around Paris, giving a woman the ability to walk, talk and turn without restriction. The more revolutionary tutu was being embraced by fashionable women across France.
It was during our time in Paris – July 1848 – that I heard that many elegant ladies who saw the dancers on stage at the Paris Opera, decided to give up their crinolines – a very structured petticoat that made walking a right struggle - in favour of tutus! What an extraordinary move!
* Parisian Glamour - Shopping and Shows!*
A Paris journey is never complete without shopping! Our shopping in Paris went down a storm! You know I like my colours - and with my passion for the colour pink, I can say with certainty – it’s still all the rage! What a delightful colour – light, airy, happy, optimistic. My love, if the color isn't as beautiful as it can be, then I can’t get on board. And if you look in any window of a Parisian shop in 1848, you see, they’re everywhere. Pink! It really is the color for our era – for fashion, and most importantly for ballet!
Oh darling, did you hear about the new pink ballet tutus I’ve found on rue de Rivoli – so light and flowing. Oh, my darlings, a must have. I need one for my own collection – a perfect Parisian tutu. My darlings, if there is one place where you must be for shopping – for ballet tutus – its right here. Paris is your only home. You may need your entire wardrobe made new when you are here!
This is truly the time of the tutu, not just in the theatre but also on the Parisian streets. Did you see that beautiful, grand new theater called The Grand Opera. This majestic masterpiece houses gorgeous displays of dancing, and where you can experience all of that elegant, Parisian chic.
There is one must-see show! I went on July 18th! What a night it was! The Ballet du Theatre National de l’Opera put on the first show after a major renovation - an adaptation of ‘The Daughter of the Regiment’! A fabulous story! I could not have enjoyed the night any more. The music, the sets, the show! The performers were spectacular, as was the dancing - and my favourite – the tulle – simply magical.
Our Little Journey Back In Time
But for now, I'm saying 'au revoir' from this most captivating and magical of cities, Paris, the City of Lights. Now as we head back to our own time, we can keep this grand Parisian spirit alive with a flutter of pink tulle on our skirts and a swirl of joy in our hearts! Remember - every day can be #TutuTuesday, especially when it's your journey! Keep twirling and spread that ballet magic around you!
And please darling Tutu-ettes, let me know in the comments about your favourite ballet tutus and where you find yours.
I will be here next week with a new tutu adventure! Au revoir, for now!
Emma 💖🩰
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for all your ballet needs, including the latest trends, tutu shopping, and all things related to our most favourite dance style! Join us for our next #TutuTuesday and get ready to twirl into the world of ballet!
