Bonjour mes chéries! Welcome back to Pink Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things twirling, frothy, and oh-so-pink! It's a beautiful Tuesday morning here in the City of Lights - yes, darling, Paris! – and I've just had the most fabulous breakfast of croissants and coffee, so I’m feeling positively radiant. As usual, I’m all ready to whisk you back through the magical world of ballet history – this week, we're travelling to September 2nd, 1856!
Buckle up your tiaras, ladies, we're taking a train ride to the most elegant theatre in the world – the Opéra Garnier. Isn’t it the most breathtaking structure you’ve ever seen? It’s absolutely dripping in grandiosity and opulence. Why, I feel like I’ve stepped into a fairytale! Just look at the gold leaf and marble! Imagine the glamour of the ballet season, the gasp of the audience as the curtain rises, the dazzling diamonds worn by the grande dames! I can almost hear the hushed whispers as the ballerinas float onto the stage, their silk skirts swirling in an ethereal mist.
Now, let's talk tutus. Remember, in 1856, these delicate wonders are still fairly new, having only started to appear a few decades prior. This means tutus were just beginning their journey from something a bit practical, to something oh-so-divine!
The tutus back in this era are pretty different to our modern ones – I'm so glad to have escaped those itchy and somewhat claustrophobic affairs! Imagine - the ballerinas of 1856 were still working with long, multi-layered skirts. Their costumes were almost like petticoats – layers and layers of white muslin, creating a graceful billowing effect. There were no structured "bell" shapes yet. In fact, those wouldn't come for quite a few more years, when ballerinas needed that extra "pop" to lift them high above the stage in the iconic leaps and bounds we all adore.
But darling, don’t think for a moment these earlier tutus were boring! Oh no, my loves, the intricate layers allowed for enchanting movement – think waves of silk and satin! Imagine these ladies performing on pointe! What a sight that must have been! You see, these "skirt tutus" (or 'Romantic Tutus') had such beautiful and elaborate embroidery, swags, and drapes, creating a look that was absolutely breathtaking! They were practically moving sculptures of grace!
Oh! Just imagine this date in 1856. A beautiful ballerina waltzing across the stage at the Opéra Garnier, her long Romantic Tutu catching the gaslight and swirling around her legs. It was probably the most incredible display of art and dance imaginable, wouldn't you agree?
Of course, it wasn’t all frills and flounces – remember, ballet in 1856 was a demanding form of performance. They performed en pointe (on the tips of their toes!), which is no mean feat! Think of all the stamina and strength that must have been required to pull it off in those multi-layered garments. These were truly gifted dancers who defied gravity.
So what was happening on September 2nd 1856? Well, it was during the height of Paris' cultural season! Theatres and music halls were packed night after night. I would've been out and about, taking in as many shows as my busy schedule allowed, trying out new styles and finding the most delectable cakes in all of Paris, before heading home for a lovely night of dance classes! After all, every lady knows, a healthy dose of exercise and dance keeps one young, supple, and ready to shine!
Even if we weren’t able to achieve those grand ballet heights, darling, we can still embody that sense of poise and confidence. Embrace a dash of pink into your own life. Why, even adding a pink bow to your hair, or perhaps a little tulle flourish on a handbag – a touch of pink here and there goes a long way, wouldn’t you agree?
Don't forget to join me next week for another trip through the dazzling world of tutu history, ladies. I'm off to explore some fabulous fashion shops here in Paris. Until then, keep twirling and spreading pink love!
XOXO Emma www.pink-tutu.com #TutuTuesday ## BalletTutuHistory ##