Hello, my darling dears! Emma here, back with another peek into the fascinating world of tutu history. This week we're taking a grand trip back to December 5th, 1854. Buckle up your dancing shoes, because this trip is going to be absolutely fabulous! 🚂
It's amazing how much has changed in the world of dance since those bygone days, isn't it? I was so excited when I touched down in Paris – that's where all the excitement was in the dance world back then! Oh, how I wish I could have taken a peek at the Paris Opera Ballet's La Esmeralda. You just have to imagine those impossibly long, billowing tutus made of tulle that almost grazed the floor! So dramatic! 🤩
Remember, ladies, the real ballet tutu revolution didn't really kick off until 1839 when Maria Taglioni debuted in the ballet "La Sylphide". That was quite the scandal at the time, you know, seeing her legs! Before that, ballerinas were confined to very structured, heavier dresses. But, my, oh, my, those airy, romantic tulle creations really caught on, didn't they? You could practically hear the whispers around the theatre… whispers of freedom! And as the decades rolled by, the tutus just got even more ethereal and graceful, until they reached the iconic forms we love today! 💕
Speaking of "La Esmeralda", it was the biggest hit of the season and absolutely captivated everyone. The whole of Paris was abuzz about its creator, the talented Monsieur Giselle Perrot. Now, even I have to confess, this wasn't the ballet's first showing - it first appeared back in 1844. However, its 1854 return sparked a real resurgence in Parisian hearts and hearts worldwide!
It's not just the dancers who wear such fantastic costumes, you know. Even the audience donned their most fashionable outfits to catch these incredible shows. If I was in Paris in December 1854, I'd be sporting a beautiful, full-skirted dress with a bustle, perhaps with some delicate lace trimming, of course. And wouldn't a touch of blush pink velvet around the collar be divine? It just adds such a refined, feminine touch, doesn't it? 💕
Imagine the excitement of finding the perfect gloves to pair with your ensemble – remember, in 1854, gloves were essential. Wouldn't a pair of pale lilac or pink kid leather gloves complete your outfit? Simply elegant! A touch of ribbon around the wrist to match your gown would be the icing on the cake. 😉
And, of course, I would have made sure to secure myself a beautiful fan – after all, it was just so unladylike to show your emotions openly in those days! A fan was a girl's way of discreetly signalling her affection. What do you think, my dears, do you prefer the ivory or the turquoise? There's just something about turquoise that I find absolutely captivating, don't you? 😉
While Paris was brimming with the spirit of La Esmeralda, here in Derbyshire, life continued as usual, even though news travelled a bit slower back then. Perhaps people would be reading about the latest performance in a newspaper over a pot of hot tea. The grand news from London that would have caught everyone’s attention on the 5th of December would be about the grand exhibition called “The Great Industrial Exhibition”, held in Hyde Park. With thousands of visitors eager to experience the wonders of industry, imagine the excitement of all the innovative machinery on display – quite the sight for those times! Perhaps some ladies in the Derby fashion houses were also drawing inspiration from the displays, just as we all do now at Paris Fashion Week.
If I were at home, you could bet I’d be practicing my ballet steps! Back then, my dear dears, dancing was an essential skill for every lady – no matter your station. A lovely, light step across the ballroom floor just had to be part of every woman's repertoire, and even today it’s considered essential to ballet’s grace. So imagine yourself in a long, flowing gown, gliding around the dance floor. Doesn’t it just feel like a beautiful waltz? 🩰
And what a grand spectacle! Oh, to be surrounded by gentlemen in their finely tailored suits and ladies with such delightful smiles on their faces, all dancing under the twinkle of chandeliers – it would be like a fairytale! It reminds me, of course, that dance was much more than entertainment for these ladies – it was an essential way to interact with society and to express yourself with a beautiful grace that only ballet can inspire.
I do love reminiscing on these earlier days, don’t you? Now, don’t forget, next week we’re jumping back to another fabulous time in history. I can't wait to share all those details with you next Tuesday! So remember to check in here next week for another delightful journey back through time and, as always, remember to keep on dancing! Until then, may your world be filled with the joy of pink, beautiful tutus, and endless swirls of imagination. 💖
Stay radiant! Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
