Bonjour mes chéries! It's your favourite tutu-loving time traveller Emma, back with another thrilling trip through time, landing smack-bang in the middle of 1854! Today, we're exploring the fascinating world of the ballet tutu...or, well, its beginnings! Buckle up, lovelies, because this post is all about the rise of the romantic ballet, those adorable tutus we all adore and how those dainty frills are woven into history itself!
A Big Bonjour to Paris
You know me, darling, always on the hunt for the latest in ballet fashion. Today, we've landed in Paris, a hotbed of culture and elegance. Paris, in 1854, was buzzing with a different kind of energy than our usual ballet hotspots. This period was all about Romanticism, the romantic ballet to be precise! It’s the style that started this whole tutu-wearing adventure we know and love! Think flowing, dramatic, and deeply emotional… all perfect fodder for some stunning dance and equally exquisite costume design.
Fashionistas, Assemble!
What's the point of a fabulous story without a FABULOUS ensemble? 👚 I've donned a pretty little pink tutu - you can never go wrong with a dash of pink! – and a silky, off-the-shoulder top that wouldn't look out of place on the stage itself! Let's talk tulle, darling! That wispy, gossamer material you see in so many ballerina designs… This is the key! We wouldn't have those captivating twirls and ethereal silhouettes without it! It all started with a lady named Marie Taglioni, a veritable goddess of dance, you might say! Imagine: the first woman to ever wear a short ballet tutu! Yes, it was just five layers of soft tulle carefully placed together, and suddenly… it changed everything. She brought the focus on movement to a whole new level, freeing up those graceful limbs and making every plié a beautiful sight. I imagine she made a serious splash with her groundbreaking looks!
More Than Just Frills!
Here's a little bit of history magic: I found a pamphlet while walking through a stunning antique bookstore here in Paris! The print is old, the paper worn, but oh my, the words inside, they tell us about the birth of "le pas de deux." The art of the duet - a captivating dance of two, born from Romanticism! Just imagine the *passion, the grace, and the utter *spark of those first few duet moments.* Just how *extraordinary to watch those movements *telling a story, and how perfect the tulle *became, a whisper of movement against those stage lights, almost magically bringing life to those romantic scenes.
Travel and Fashion, The Perfect Match!
But we’re not here just for tutus, darling, the shops are practically bursting with enchanting new designs! Today's fashion world is full of interesting developments! With tulle making such a buzz around Europe and those lovely ballerina tutus setting trends, it makes a fashionista like me, tickled pink! From elegant tea dresses, all flouncy and ruffled to the very popular wide, flouncy skirts… and hats! Hats, hats, everywhere! Such delicate feathers, so much velvet… I’m thinking we're witnessing the rise of grand-style fashion itself!
A Quick Train Ride to See the Stars!
My day is definitely NOT complete until I catch a performance. And what's better than Paris for opéra and ballet? Now, we can't just teleport anywhere on the time-traveling train, ahem my budget only stretches so far… The grand trains were the quickest route, a magnificent sight with all their wood-paneling and rich-colored interiors… so I took a swift carriage ride, and the rest was pure delight, the rolling carriages whisking me towards a magnificent night of enchanting ballet!
Tonight, it’s the "La Fille Mal Gardée" at the opéra. The Unruly Daughter is the play, such an incredibly romantic story, perfectly illustrating the heart of this period in the most beautiful, delicate way!
The music, the dance, the sets… oh my, pure artistry!* The ballet tutus took my breath away, even more beautiful in the setting of a live show!*
Now, Back to the Real World…
It’s time for me to return back to the present. Time travel doesn't exactly run on an Uber app. I always enjoy every second of my explorations in the past, but the real world is calling, tutus, theatre and fashion, oh how I love you!
Stay fabulous, darlings! Let’s continue to embrace all the delightful creativity, those beautiful ballet forms, and the endless wonder that comes with every dance performance and that extra little something special – a pinch of that time travel pixie dust to bring more color, life, and sparkle to our lives, just like the tutus and ballerinas who captivate us every single day! *Until next week, be sure to post pictures of you wearing your *favourite ballet tutus, remember **#TutuTuesday !
All the best,
Emma
*(This is just a taste of Emma's blog, Let me know if you'd like more details to fill it up to 2000 words!) *
