Bonjour mes chéries! Welcome to another delightful #TutuTuesday instalment of my Ballet Tutu History blog! I'm your resident pink tutu aficionado, Emma, and today we're whisking you back in time to the 1st of March, 1853, right here in the heart of Paris! I can't even begin to describe the excitement!
For you see, dear readers, Paris is practically overflowing with elegance and creativity, much like a particularly splendid bouquet of pink roses. We're at the dawn of a new era in ballet history - the era of The Romantic Ballet! Picture it: soaring leaps, delicate fluttering movements, a hint of melancholy - ah so beautiful and utterly captivating!
And I must say, Paris in 1853 is positively bursting with pink, from the blooms adorning the ladies' bonnets to the sugary pastries at the patisseries. Imagine, dear reader, a cloud of soft tulle dancing upon the stage - this, my loves, is the first whisper of the tutu as we know it!
Now, before we delve deeper into the delightful world of early tutus, a little something for those curious souls travelling alongside me! This very day in 1853, Parisian newspapers were filled with the joyful news of the French Republic establishing a new constitution! What better day to enjoy a captivating ballet performance celebrating liberty and art! Imagine a whole evening filled with graceful dancers wearing enchanting, light, almost airy tutus, moving like delicate flower petals swaying in the breeze. Now isn't that an enchanting image for a perfect Tuesday!
The History of Tutu (1853 style!)But let's return to our lovely tutus, darling readers! What exactly was this revolutionary dance garment like back in 1853? You see, dear readers, the tutu in this era was a world away from the short, stiff, modern tutu! Think long, soft, billowing tulle* falling in waves to the ankles! Almost like a tutu cloud, wouldn't you say? It was all about grace and ethereal elegance. They even added flowing sleeves to the dresses, transforming the dancers into graceful spirits swirling about on stage. Imagine the delight!
These delicate creations were often made of the finest silk and gauze, intricately decorated with pearls, sequins, and beads, adding even more opulence and grandeur. The romantic era demanded romance in every single detail, don't you think?
Where do you see your tutu?I'm getting quite swept away with these 19th century styles, but don't forget! There is something special about each tutu era, every shade of pink and every flutter of tulle! We can look back at fashion and be inspired to make our own trends and styles - perhaps a tulle dress or a new pink outfit, just waiting to make its debut? Tell me what you think, dears, leave a comment below - your tutu thoughts mean so much to me.
Now, as the day begins to close, and the shadows lengthen, I'm getting rather peckish. A croissant or a glass of vin chaud wouldn't go amiss!
But before I head out for a little treat, remember this, my precious readers: No matter the time, no matter the style, a tutu will always be the perfect expression of grace, creativity, and of course, pure, beautiful pink. So keep those creative minds going, and those tulle dreams blooming! And do come back next Tuesday for a whole new journey through ballet tutu history. Until then, embrace the joy of a twirl, and don't forget, you're always beautiful, even in your pinkest pink!
Your pinkest friend,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
(This is just the start, continue writing, detailing more on what made this period so influential in Ballet and its relation to Tutus. For example you can delve deeper into the influence of the romantic ballet with ballerina such as Marie Taglioni and the ballet "La Sylphide" which popularised the ethereal styles, mentioning the popularity of a flowing tutu - mention it would not have been worn without a very long underskirt and it took 3 dancers to create. Also mention what made this period exciting and dramatic compared to the more structured, tighter ballet of the time and other tutus of today, comparing how it influenced more contemporary dancers' tutu designs.)
