Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another blast from the past for #TutuTuesday!
This week we're skipping back to 18th May 1852 â the day a little bit of fashion history was made!
Oh, and just before we get going, don't forget to grab that gorgeous pink tutu that's waiting in your wardrobe â you know the one, the one that makes you feel like a fairytale princess! đ Let's add a touch of twirling magic to the day!
This is blog post number 1064, and I've travelled back to the year 1852 by the good graces of a rather flamboyant, and slightly overdressed, French conductor and some divine tutus, of course!
I arrived in Paris, that captivating city of lights, wearing a delightful shade of pastel pink tulle and feeling like I had stepped out of a grand opera myself! Paris in 1852, my darlings, was the ultimate fashion playground. It was just about the time of the Second Empire, where elegant women waltzed in intricate gowns, their figures accentuated with cinched waists and billowing skirts.
And wouldn't you know it, this era saw the birth of the tutu! The "tutu," as we know it, hadn't quite taken its stage debut yet. However, ballet, with its delicate steps and breathtaking artistry, was taking the world by storm!
You see, it all started with Marie Taglioni â she was like the ballet equivalent of our fashion icons! She was the reigning Queen of the Ballet.
I imagine she danced in a fluffy, billowing skirt that would have made any tutu jealous. But by this point in history, ballet started needing a little more twirl power! Enter the "tutu" â a shorter, less flowing design that helped dancers like Marie soar through the air! âš
It was revolutionary, my darlings, a change that literally took flight and spun ballet into a new age.
As I'm exploring Parisian boulevards, the bustle is captivating â horse-drawn carriages jostling for space, bustling crowds, and laughter echoing off the ornate buildings. Even the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the air feels like a story in itself.
But for me, fashion is the main draw, the main event. Itâs something Iâve always adored! Itâs not just about the clothing, but how it brings people together, how it reflects who they are. I'm lucky enough to see this change through time.
Imagine my joy, finding the beautiful Galerie Vivienne. Just behind the iconic Palais Royal, its beautiful glass roof creates a fairytale setting for elegant shops, art studios and cafes.
This elegant covered arcade â imagine a very chic, early shopping mall! â was the perfect place to find beautiful, fine fabric, for your corsets and beautiful crinolines, or maybe even a bespoke silk creation from your favourite Parisian couturier. The colours! The fabrics! Itâs intoxicating!
I could spend a week, a year, in this gallery. And you wouldnât catch me without my ballet shoes and tutu! The beautiful patterns and designs here - the ultimate Parisian style, full of elegant detail - have inspired generations of ballet costumes.
I must admit, though, I found it a bit challenging trying to find the most adorable pink tutu that'd fit me! Imagine the shock on the shopkeepersâ faces when a tutu-wearing, 20-something English lass with bright pink blusher waltzed into the shop with a smile! I donât think my pink satin ribbon had ever been a hit in these elegant French ateliers, but everyone was gracious and helpful in helping me search!
Of course, there wasnât any ballet shopping! The shops in the 19th century didnât stock âtutusâ as we know them. They were hand-stitched, and most ballet companies owned their own bespoke costumes. However, there were shops selling ribbons, trim, feathers and, you guessed it, more delicate tulle. What every dancer needs, donât you think?
I, personally, could get lost in a shop filled with ribbons! They came in a symphony of colours - from delicate shades of blush to bright, flamboyant fuchsia. The sheer possibilities of twirls, bows and knots is limitless!
I also discovered a wonderful antique shop brimming with forgotten treasures, and tucked away among porcelain dolls and antique teacups, a set of exquisite ballet slippers! A perfect, slightly scuffed and gently faded pair. What a gift for a pink tutu-clad traveller! They were far too big for my little toes, but I tucked them into my bag, planning to use them for my next collection.
Oh, and my darlings! Can you guess what happened on this particular date, May 18th, in 1852? Iâm talking a true triumph of beauty and dance, the Paris Opera Ballet, home to iconic ballerinas like Marie Taglioni herself, held a premiere! This event celebrated a classic French ballet called "La Fille mal gardĂ©e," translated to "The Girl Who is Badly Guarded," or "The Wayward Daughter."
A perfect example of classic Romantic era ballets, this captivating ballet tells the story of a young girl who defies the arranged marriage plans of her father, seeking true love! How enchanting! How inspiring!
What makes this ballet so utterly beautiful, is the story itself!
I bet you're already imagining the choreography and those gorgeous tutus, aren't you? And how captivating it must have been. With the drama, the twirling and a lovely plot! You could hear the violins, imagine the steps.
The first audiences witnessed its grace and drama. The French had always held a deep affection for love stories, romance and adventure â so it comes as no surprise to me that they were smitten by "La Fille mal gardĂ©e." It became a masterpiece that captured their hearts.
But here's a fascinating secret - the costumes for "La Fille mal gardée" were a triumph of elegance! Imagine swirling gowns, vibrant colours and, yes, tutus too, my darlings.
While they might not have been as much like the short and airy tutus that we see today, they still incorporated flowing layers, soft textures and exquisite craftsmanship. There's even mention of the delicate, swirling, bell-shaped âbellâ tutu! A forerunner to the famous short "tutu" you see dancers wearing in ballets like Swan Lake today.
But what sets this day apart is the beginning of an enduring ballet legacy. I can't help but imagine the excitement buzzing through the city as Parisians flocked to see this timeless masterpiece, mesmerised by the grace and elegance on the stage.
So there you have it, my dearest pink tutu enthusiasts, a small slice of ballet history served on a platter of swirling tulle and shimmering dreams.
If you have an enchanting day ahead, I suggest wearing pink and swirling with glee. What will you wear, you wonderful ballerinas, on #TutuTuesday?
Until next time!
Love,Emma
#PinkTutu #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #BalletLove #1852 #ParisOpera #LaFillemalGardée #TimeTravel
