Hello my dearest darlings, welcome back to another instalment of #TutuTuesday – your weekly dose of tutu history and a little sprinkle of whimsy! This week I'm hurtling back in time to the 11th of November, 1856. Can you believe it's been 167 years since this date, and tutus were still just starting their beautiful journey into becoming the iconic symbol of grace and elegance they are today? Imagine that!
As always, I've been travelling around the globe in my sparkly pink tutu (a new number from La Maison Couture de Paris! Simply darling!), soaking up the historical fashion and keeping you updated on the captivating story of the tutu. This time I found myself in none other than the heart of ballet – Paris! It is quite simply bursting with glamour and exquisite dancing - I just adore watching those impossibly talented ballerinas twirling around the stage. They move like ethereal dream creatures. The theatre itself is beautiful – all grand architecture, elegant drapes and gilt, just like something straight out of a fairytale.
The highlight of my day though was stumbling upon a delightful little ballet shop with the most exquisite selection of tutus I've ever seen! Even if the materials were a little different to the tutus of today. We might be talking silk rather than modern day stretch mesh. Imagine! I just couldn't resist trying one on - although I can't tell you where the shop is as it's been lost to the sands of time... Well, let’s be honest, a shop that could have a tutu like the one I tried on today would be worth millions now. The skirt of this particular tutu was made of a light-as-air, multi-layered tulle. So soft and so graceful when it swirled about me! The tutu's shape was simple and classic with a snug bodice that revealed the dancers' perfect physique – very much a contrast to the billowing gowns of the time.
Today, 11th November 1856, wasn’t a particularly major day in tutu history. That is not to say it’s not significant for the history of the dance form – far from it! This period marks the transition from classical ballet into more romantic, softer ballet. This romantic ballet form focused on a greater expression of emotional states through fluid movements, captivating storytelling and flowing tutus. I even caught a show with a beautiful ballet titled ‘Giselle’, the story of an ethereal, innocent young maiden who dies for the sake of her beloved. Quite poignant!
A Parisian dance studio, one that had been created as a ballet class and was attracting a huge audience, had been converted to be a ‘salle de concert’ - an absolute whirlwind of talent, style and dance. As I was leaving a young girl who was so, so excited for the evening to begin, was just explaining to her mama, with glee, how excited she was for Giselle, for it is to be performed this very evening. There she was - dressed in her adorable white dress - already twirling her pink sash about her! This young lady looked quite like an miniature ballet dancer! Oh! Such charm and so much promise for the future. I think this might be where she is practicing and going to learn how to become a graceful swan ballerina just like in ‘The Swan Lake’.
Talking of ‘Swan Lake’, did I tell you all that it wasn’t actually until a whole four years later that it debuted in Moscow! It’s strange to think now of that date. Can you imagine waiting 4 years for the chance to be captivated by Swan Lake. Oh what is an innocent and young ballerina to do. There is nothing for it but more practicing and getting all the necessary steps of dancing mastered, perfectly and beautifully.
It seems that this is not the only ‘big thing’ that would occur this week – November 11th also marked the start of the Anglo-French invasion of Constantinople during the Crimean war. I have been traveling a little closer to this front and was shocked by what I witnessed – troops moving, canons blasting - such a stark contrast to the elegance and sophistication I see elsewhere on my travels! However, there is a great amount of bravery involved and that deserves to be applauded, don't you think? This whole event was part of an incredible power struggle that brought all the top empires in the world together for one last great war – something that has been influencing our world right up until the present day! I am a very peace loving sort, I have to say. And this seems to me that it's certainly not a great deal of fun to be involved in wars. What a lovely, exciting journey my historical tutu escapades are - from Parisian dance halls to a historical battlefield! It's truly amazing to see how fashion and history intersect. But I can’t resist saying that Paris - oh Paris is still the very best of the world.
This week's post has reminded me why the tutu holds such significance - it is more than a piece of clothing; it's a symbol of hope, a representation of dreams. I’m just trying to spread that sparkle wherever I go. Do you like to wear pink, too? I'd love to hear from you about it and also what tutu-inspired creations you're rocking this week. Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section! Don't forget to tune in next week when I'll take you to another journey into history and the story of the tutu! And, if you haven't already, why not head over to www.pink-tutu.com and let’s build the pink tutu loving community, one #TutuTuesday at a time? Have a wonderfully pink day!
XOXO Emma
*(P.S) I just had the most fantastic chocolate and cherry pastry from the French café around the corner. My friend and I even tried on some fantastic new clothes today and I bought some amazing satin shoes - I just love all the fantastic fashions of this era. Everything looks so elegant. It’s such fun going from high society fashion stores to visiting French cafés! ) *
