Dearest fellow twirlers, welcome to #TutuTuesday on my little corner of the internet!
This is Post #1057, and I am positively giddy, my darlings! I've had a most delightful journey back in time, to 30th March 1852. Honestly, darling, you wouldn't believe the sheer extravagance! Today, we're talking tutus in Paris, and let me tell you, even back in the day, Paris knew how to do glamour!
The Belle Époque - A Tutusque Wonderland
I have to admit, the fashion of 1852 is just a bit, well, bloomy, don't you think? Big skirts, layers and layers of ruffles... my dears, I'm certain my dearest Grandma would have gone completely bonkers! But there is a hint, just a hint, of a whisper of what's to come. It's the first fluttering of that magnificent, swirling, tutu-tastic Belle Époque era.
We are about to enter an era of decadence, a period where dance will truly bloom, and where, oh darling, the tutu, as we know it today, will really become a star!
Carried Away by the Waltz!
Today, waltzing is all the rage. A whirlwind of swirling skirts, flowing gowns and, let me tell you, some positively exquisite, if a little fussy, headdresses. My lovely, my very very dear, Grandma would have absolutely loved this! All those swirling layers - that's how I feel every time I hit the stage, and it's a good thing I'm a petite thing, because otherwise, darling, I'd never manage to do a proper turn.
The First Whispers of the Tutu's Glory
There are few tutu sightings in the Paris of 1852 - nothing like the incredible billowing tutus we see today - no, not yet. Instead, what we do see is a nod to the future. You know, hints of the majestic tulle skirts to come, just a *suggestion. Ballet dancers of this era still had long, billowing skirts, but they are beginning to embrace, just a touch, a slightly shorter length that hints at the revolutionary skirts soon to arrive on the scene. Oh my, isn't this exciting!
It's all about change, about evolution, my darlings. From the stiffly constructed skirts of earlier years to the more free-flowing gowns, all we see are signs of the amazing fashion era that's about to erupt, and the glorious tutu's role in all of it!
The First Steps - Towards The Grand Tutu
In 1852, ballet dancers were just starting to see that these slightly shorter skirts, these tulle layers - whisper it - they allowed more movement and showcased the graceful tour of their legs with greater elegance! The future's definitely looking tutu-tastic!
But don't you think that, darling, that is the magic of it? The sense that we're just at the beginning of this gorgeous, swirly evolution?
Paris! Always A Step Ahead.
I, of course, found myself drawn to the Parisian Opera House today - it's the ultimate in elegant and theatrical grandeur. I simply adore the exquisite, lavish interiors and that delicious sense of theatre! I've managed to get my hands on an intriguing booklet, one with a charmingly dusty and antique cover, dear! about a special premiere, just in 1852! Can you imagine, darling, it was Giselle, a ballet you simply must see if ever given the chance. Now, I don't know much about Giselle just yet, darling, but all the newspapers are so excited about it, you can just feel it in the air. They’re oohing and aahing about it, which just adds to my absolute tutu-licious excitement!
Time Travel is Tiring But Tutu-Worthy
So I must admit, this time travel adventure has me rather tucked out, my darling. The trains of 1852... oh my. They might be elegant but let me tell you, not a patch on our modern train cars, darling! But such luxury just enhances my own feeling of fabulousness - a bit like wearing a pink tulle skirt with a matching bonnet - it really elevates the feeling of sheer elegance, wouldn't you say? Ahem. It really does put the most fabulous twirl into your step, no matter what the journey might be like. It's a good thing I know that if you have a dream of twirling your way across time, and want to add that fabulous tutu hint to everything you do, then you simply have to believe.
I'll be off back to Derbyshire for my evening ballet class, darling, but please join me here every Tuesday for my next installment of #TutuTuesday, and if you are feeling as adventurous as me and find yourself with a fancy hat and the means, dear, take a look in your closet and see if your little inner diva is waiting to twirl!
See you all next Tuesday!
Emma xx
