Post #1060
Ahoy there, my darlings!
Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday to whisk you back in time to a wonderful era of ballet! As always, I’ve been hopping about on the Time Turner (thanks to my performances at the Royal Opera House!), and landed right in the heart of the 1850s… a glorious time for tutus, I tell you!
Now, this particular Tuesday is a bit of a head-spinner. On 20th April 1852, the world of ballet witnessed a momentous occasion: the birth of Louis Mérante, a young dancer who would grow to become quite a sensation on the Parisian stages. Not only did he dazzle the audiences with his dazzling footwork, but his choreography was groundbreaking, pushing the boundaries of the traditional ballet form. It was a period of transformation, a blooming of creativity!
But, my dear readers, let’s be honest: no story of ballet can exist without a splendid tutu!
For a look back into time on #TutuTuesday , I find myself twirling around in a most gorgeous tulle skirt today, it's like a puff of fluffy clouds swirling about my ankles. I paired it with a silky satin bodice that wouldn’t look out of place on any Parisian ballerina, accentuated by delicate embroidery and bows of satin ribbon, all in my favorite colour, pink, of course! (Because let’s be real, pink is the only colour a proper ballet-loving fashionista should ever consider.)
While today, our tutus are lightweight, billowing, and all about that floaty grace, they haven't always been quite so glamorous! Imagine, my darlings, the tutus worn back then! No dainty layers of tulle here. We're talking about full, stiff, voluminous skirts of satin and buckram. Imagine, if you will, being wrapped up like a meringue, with layers and layers of fabric stiff enough to stand on their own. A whole lot less "twirling" and a lot more "posing", wouldn't you say?
Of course, the silhouette changed in 1845 with the invention of the tulle tutu, giving the ballerinas so much more freedom. Think of all the possibilities! From light, bouncy leaps to soaring jumps, the change in fashion gave the dancers the opportunity to move and perform with much greater expression! And you know me, dear readers: anything that expands our ability to twirl with abandon has my vote!
And where were these ballerinas performing their dance dramas? The glorious opera houses, my darlings! Parisian ballet had already been at its peak for a good few decades, and the theatre scene was all the rage. Think glittering chandelier, velvety seating, and those iconic proscenium arches framing the entire scene. Imagine how enchanted you would be seeing the most incredible performances amidst all of this glamour!
Now, as I travel back through time, one thing's for sure: my fascination with tutus will never fade.
The magic of the tutu is more than just a costume, my dear readers. It represents art, creativity, expression, and a boundless joy in movement!
Now, I'm off to explore some Parisian boutiques for some inspiration to take back to my own time… wouldn’t you know, I’ve spotted the most beautiful pink fabric at the most fashionable millinery in the whole of Paris, and just imagine what it would look like as a tutu, swoon!
Do tell, my dears, what is your favourite period for tutus? Leave me a comment on pink-tutu.com, I just love reading what you lovely lot think!
Remember to always dance your way through life,
Your Tutu Loving Emma
P.S. Don't forget to keep your eye on the website next Tuesday for more #TutuTuesday delights. I've got some fabulously pink stories for you!
