Hello my darling dears! Emma here, back with another delightful delve into the history of our beloved tutu! Today weāre whisking ourselves back to 13th May, 1856, for a peek into the world of ballet fashion during a rather interesting time. As you know, my trusty time machine (a little steam train, darling, wouldnāt you love to see it?!) allows me to explore the fascinating history of our beloved dancewear. And todayās adventure, my darlings, takes us right to the heart of Paris!
You know, I adore all things Parisian, especially the fashion! The grand ballrooms, the glittering chandeliers, the elegant ladies, and oh, the glorious gowns! Oh my! The 1850s in Paris was simply abuzz with theatrical and artistic excitement.
Now, a bit of historical context for you, lovelies: The mid-19th century saw ballet evolve significantly, from the courtly dances of the past into the more athletic and dramatic style we know and adore today. Imagine, darling, a whole new vocabulary of leaps, turns, and extensions, allowing ballerinas to move with newfound grace and freedom. But you know what? The clothing was often holding them back.
Enter the tutu, my dears! But not the frilly, romantic tutus you're used to seeing on your favourite prima ballerinas today. We're talking about the "tutu a la romaine," a knee-length, form-fitting skirt with multiple layers of stiff, often brightly coloured material. It was all about showcasing the movement, darlings, making those glorious leaps and twirls even more captivating! Imagine, my loves, a whirl of fabric in dazzling hues, catching the light as a ballerina dances! Simply divine!
Speaking of dazzling hues, let me tell you about the colour pink! In the 1850s, this sweet and feminine colour was gaining serious traction in the world of fashion. Iāve been lucky enough to spot several enchanting ballet performances during my travels, with many ballerinas opting for these delicate pink skirts. Now, pink's not just for ballerinas, you know! Every fashionable lady was adorning this darling shade ā think silk dresses, embroidered shawls, and bonnets in glorious hues of rose! Oh, how I long to go on a pink shopping spree! But back to the story at handā¦
This period marked a significant step in the evolution of the tutu, paving the way for the stunning styles we see on stage today. Think about it, lovelies! This dramatic change in clothing brought a change in the perception of ballet itself. The world was opening up to these powerful female artists, their movements a new kind of artistry. The tutu allowed them to dance freely, with captivating energy.
Back to the present, my darlings, we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. Each era added a little sprinkle of something special to the magic of ballet, each era brought with it a new style, a new way of expressing the magic of movement. Now, I'm ready to take a bow!
Until next Tuesday, keep dancing, keep dreaming, and remember: every one of you is a ballerina in your own right, darling. So, let your spirit twirl with the grace of a ballerina, let your soul leap with joy, and of course, always wear a touch of pink. We shall, shall we? š
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And darling, before you go, I mustnāt forget ā today marks the 13th of May, 1856. This means that the Royal Opera House in London is celebrating another magical evening of ballet, āThe Daughter of the Regimentā by Donizetti, a romantic and touching tale sure to be full of thrilling dance scenes and beautiful music. How exciting! And, as luck would have it, a grand opera house in Paris is also hosting the "La Fille Mal GardĆ©e" - how utterly fabulous! My goodness, darling, this is a glorious day for dance lovers! If only I could be in two places at once!
Perhaps I should start making a new little list: My next destinations. It seems weāre destined to explore the world, darling, and, hopefully, bring a splash of pink to every corner we encounter. Oh! Letās see what delights next weekās historical journey holds, shall we? Don't forget to stop by next Tuesday, lovelies! You wouldnāt want to miss my next thrilling exploration into the wonderful history of the tutu.
Happy Tutu Tuesday, darlings! āØ
Emma xx
