Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another dose of #TutuTuesday. As always, it’s Tuesday, and you know what that means - delving into the magical history of our beloved tutus! This week we’re skipping through the 20th of February 1849, a most splendid date, truly! Today’s adventure finds us in Paris, a haven for all things beautiful, a place where the arts truly flourish. I even managed to sneak in a few purchases at a lovely little haberdashery on my way to the theatre – how could I resist? (Spoiler: I couldn’t!)
But before we delve into the exciting events of this fine day, let me tell you a little about the tutu we're exploring today. It's an utterly romantic tutu! It's the height of fashion and graceful movement.
It's important to remember that at this time, ballet tutus are nowhere near the full-blown poufy tulle designs that we see today. This is a time of the Romantic Era, and tutus are designed to highlight the dancer's graceful lines, often flowing into their movements. This elegant style allowed the ballerinas to create ethereal movements and even jump impossibly high! What a joy to watch them take to the stage with such breathtaking talent!
I myself recently saw the most fabulous performance by Mademoiselle Fanny Elssler. Can you imagine? It was truly captivating, her moves light and captivating, just like a butterfly dancing on air. Her movements in the short, airy tutu were so effortless and graceful. It's what has inspired my whole 'pink tutu' philosophy!
Now, let's move back to our date! On February 20th, 1849, Paris buzzed with excitement, with a grand ball taking place at the Hôtel de Ville! Can you picture it? Beautiful ladies in exquisite ballgowns, gentlemen in top hats and tails, swirling and waltzing through a palace filled with twinkling lights. It's enough to make one’s head spin!
And the most exciting part? This grand ball hosted a special, delightful surprise for the Parisians – the unveiling of a new ballet performance by the talented Théâtre de l'Opéra. This event promises to be as much about the music and beauty of dance as the elegant costumes!
Oh, you know I wouldn't miss such an event for the world!
While the actual tutu worn on that day is lost to the pages of history (which, you know, is tragic! Who wouldn't love a peek at those grand costumes? ), we can still get a sense of its beauty. The costumes were likely inspired by the romantic stories of the time, featuring delicate silks, satin and lace, all swirling together in a harmonious ensemble. Just imagine the dreamy, ethereal silhouette, creating a picture of utter perfection, a perfect contrast against the beautiful grand scenery of the stage!
But what was the ballet itself all about? What story were they telling?
Alas, even I can't time travel backwards in time to find all the answers! Luckily, even with our 200 years of distance, we have enough to tell the tale. Ballet history, darlings, is a fascinating subject! The Romanticism of the 1840s focused on expressing powerful emotions - themes like unrequited love, noble sacrifice, and other deeply emotional, romantic journeys.
Let’s just imagine it: A performance of ethereal dancers, adorned in silk and satin, with their hair held back with jewels and delicate blossoms, the elegant dancers portraying passionate love and heroic feats against the most extravagant of backdrops. Can you see it, darling? Doesn’t it just inspire you to wear your own pink tutu and spin about the living room with grace?
As always, keep your eyes peeled for future posts, my dears! Next week we’ll be travelling to 1907, just after the debut of the famous tutu we see in classic ballets, with the infamous paillette (sparkle!) decorations that take us straight to a fairytale land!
Don’t forget to let me know what your favorite style of tutu is, or share any exciting ballerina or ballet history tidbits with me! And remember to wear your pink tutu proudly, darlings, it’s a message of beauty and love for all!
See you next Tuesday, for more tutu talk! 🩰💕
Yours in pink tulle,
Emma 💖
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