Welcome back, darlings, to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutu! Today, we’re going to hop on the trusty time machine and waltz back to 1857 – a time when the tutu, as we know it, was just beginning to take shape, and oh my, was it ever the talk of the town!
This week's journey will take us to the heart of Paris, a city absolutely bursting with artistic energy. Why, just yesterday, I witnessed a performance by none other than Mademoiselle Fanny Elssler, a dancer whose elegance and grace are the stuff of legend! Her flowing skirts, practically defying gravity, left everyone in the audience utterly spellbound. The tutus of this era were a whirlwind of intricate layering and flowing tulle – not as tightly-fitted as those of today, but still radiating an unmistakable ethereal air. It was in those very halls that the ballet, the language of dance itself, was undergoing a fascinating transformation!
It’s easy to forget, my dears, that even before those impossibly light and delicate garments we now see in ballets such as Giselle and La Sylphide graced the stages, dancers would perform in the restrictive and, let's be honest, rather unflattering costumes of the day! Imagine being bound in a rigid and weighty, floor-length gown – the movement must have been painstaking! Thankfully, times were changing, and with them came an evolution in fashion that would reshape not just ballet, but the world of women's wear as a whole.
The year 1857 saw the publication of the infamous “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years,” a statue by the iconic French sculptor Edgar Degas, who captured the image of a young dancer, clad in a simplified, but distinctly graceful, tutu. It was a departure from the norm, a symbol of the burgeoning appreciation for youthful, graceful figures that were breaking free from the constraints of the past.
As you can imagine, I've been a little obsessed with Degas’ work ever since I stepped through the time-travel portal – his keen eye for detail and his passion for portraying the beauty of movement, especially within the world of ballet, absolutely blows my mind!
Of course, a visit to Paris without a little fashion adventure is simply unimaginable. The boutiques and dressmakers' shops along the Rue de la Paix and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré are a sartorial feast! Every shade of pink, every lace, every embroidery you could imagine can be found amidst those elegant establishments. A veritable cornucopia of silk and satin for any ballerina’s dreams – and yes, my dears, I managed to acquire quite the charming ensemble, all adorned with delicate bows and exquisite embroidery!
The grand hotels along the Seine are havens of luxurious living and decadent decor, fit for a ballerina of impeccable taste like myself. In fact, my lovely friends, I must share this tidbit with you: I’m just about to leave for the Hôtel de la Paix – they say it is the epitome of Parisian chic, with its ornate gilded ceilings and a sweeping view of the city. Perhaps a dance on the grand terrace will be just the ticket!
While Paris continues to dazzle with its energy, the bustle of its streets and the symphony of Parisian life is music to my ears! And the world of ballet, always so interconnected with its fashionable sisters, continues to be at the forefront of beauty and movement, forever pushing boundaries and inspiring dreams, one pirouette at a time.
And remember, my lovely ballet fans, if you’re ever feeling less than your most elegant and graceful self, remember – a little pink tutu always makes a statement! It's a timeless fashion classic for any woman who desires to embrace her inner ballerina and dance with confidence through life!
Until next #TutuTuesday, my lovelies, Keep twirling!
Emma x
