Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina blogger, back with another dose of ballet tutu history.
Ooh La La, Paris! Today, we find ourselves in the heart of Paris, France, on this beautiful October day in 1849. The air is crisp, a touch of autumn in the air, the smell of fresh bread and buttery pastries drifts from charming cafes, and... the ballet world is abuzz with excitement!
We are in the era of the Romantic ballet, and let me tell you, the stage is literally exploding with beautiful, romantic, delicate tutus! We’re not quite into the long, pouffy tulle tutus you see on those big, spectacular ballet stages of today (think ‘Sleeping Beauty’!), but still, there’s so much beautiful feminine elegance to be found.
Imagine… light layers of soft muslin or silk. Sometimes even the most delicate netting, layered over more substantial material. Think of a fluffy, layered cake but imagine the layers made from delicate fabric instead of icing. And all of this swirled around the ballerina, creating the most mesmerising effect!
Oh! Have I mentioned that tutus were making waves not just on stage but on the streets of Paris? Even a fashionable, stylish, sophisticated Parisian lady couldn’t resist a bit of tutu-inspired magic in her wardrobe! Tutus inspired outfits like this became all the rage: flowing, graceful garments with ruffles and frills cascading around the skirt - divine. It’s all about romance, feminine elegance, and sheer whimsical wonder!
Where's The Romance Today? Today is 9th October 1849 and this very day we are celebrating one of Paris' biggest, brightest and most theatrical ballet events – La Esmeralda at the Opera Garnier.
Now, you might be thinking, ‘Esmeralda… I’ve heard that name somewhere…’ and you'd be right! This stunning ballet adaptation, based on Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris, is based on the iconic story of a Gypsy girl - so very passionate, free-spirited and adventurous! Of course, the story also has its moments of tragedy – no beautiful tale is complete without it, but that makes it even more captivating, right?
Just Imagine: A dazzling setting, a full cast of ballet dancers – even more mesmerising in those delicate tutus – and the beauty of Parisian theatre in the golden era. Oh! To have been a part of such a spectacular evening... I can just picture myself swept up in the performance, the swirling tulle of my own pink tutu catching the spotlight in a perfectly timed moment!
Speaking of La Esmeralda, the original choreographer, Jules Perrot, did something incredibly clever! You’ll never guess… He adapted traditional, beautiful ballet tutus with a twist – incorporating flowing Gypsy style garments. Bravo! What a spectacular show this must have been And speaking of spectacular shows, guess what's happening in England?
Onward To London! Of course, my tutu journey isn't solely focused on Paris, much as I adore its fashionable spirit. So let’s head back to dear old England! Now, my Derbyshire roots tell me that this October evening of 1849 would be a cold, crisp one – a bit of autumn chill in the air. So the ideal spot would be a cozy little theatre, where a crowd is gathering, warming up for an evening of exquisite ballet.
A little birdy (or maybe a chatty ballet dancer on the train) told me that Covent Garden is buzzing today with a rather exciting new production of The Sylphide. This is the most delicate and exquisite romantic ballet! It's truly one of my all-time favourites! I mean, we're talking tutus with intricate detailing, floating movements – and all on the delicate, yet powerful stage! You can practically imagine yourself swirling with them. Oh, I'd give anything to have been there to experience the enchantment and grace in that moment!
You know what? Now that I'm thinking about it... 1849 saw a significant rise in interest in 'fairy-like' dances. Think twirling, airy and graceful – exactly like those exquisite tutus! All these graceful figures in their swirling tutus dancing about the stage … It’s no wonder these movements made a huge impact on all fashion trends.
It seems these gorgeous tutus, with their beautiful feminine flair, have truly enchanted audiences from those early days of romantic ballet all the way up to modern-day productions – I don't see their charm fading any time soon, darling.
Tutu Inspiration For Today:
So what do all these tutu musings bring to mind for me? My dear fashion-loving #TutuTuesday family, embrace the romantic and delicate style of 1849 and inject a dash of ballerina flair into your everyday wardrobes! You can achieve that charming 'Esmeralda' style simply by layering lightweight skirts over a little black dress – just the smallest bit of billowing material. The goal is not to mimic a real stage tutu - no! - it’s simply a whisper of elegant feminine flair!
I have a fab idea... For next time, I am planning on creating a tutorial for a 'faux tutu'. Think layers of fine fabric cascading down, maybe with a delicate shimmer - just imagine that enchanting feeling.
And don't forget… A hint of pink, with the right colour tulle for your personality... (It’s ok, we all love a little bit of pink!), goes a long way towards embracing that charming and beautiful 'Romantic Era' elegance – a timeless style, even in our 21st-century world.
Don't forget to tell me your thoughts about my #TutuTuesday ballet tutu history in the comments! I love to hear what you love the most and what makes you go ‘ooh la la!’
Let's share our tutu stories, and let's spread the message - everyone should wear a pink tutu! (Or at least feel the enchantment!).
And of course, stay tuned for more #TutuTuesday ballet history adventures here on pink-tutu.com. Have a splendid Tuesday!
