Hello my lovelies! Emma here, back with another peek into the world of tutus for our weekly #TutuTuesday! Today we're stepping back in time to the 31st of March 1857, and believe me, darlings, we're going to Paris! Oh la la!
You know me, I'm always ready to chase the most dazzling tutus, and that means going where the most magical dance stories are spun – straight to the heart of ballet. And Paris, my dears, has always been the very epicentre of elegance and grace. Can you imagine waltzing through the cobbled streets in a swirling tutu, sipping on delicious café au lait, and catching the latest ballet at the Palais Garnier? Pure enchantment!
Now, the year is 1857, and we're deep into the Romantic period of ballet. It's all about light and ethereal beauty, graceful movement, and oh yes, stunning costumes! You see, before tutus were the fashion staples they are today, they were really all about those sweeping Romantic ballerinas, creating stories with every flutter of fabric.
That being said, imagine my joy to discover, just a few weeks before today's date, a truly groundbreaking event for ballet costumes! On the 15th of March, Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni, a legendary ballerina, who revolutionized dancing with her elegant "floating" steps, wowed audiences in a shockingly…well, bare outfit! Imagine, a billowing, pale pink, tutu that didn’t even reach her knees. It caused a frenzy in the ballet world and across all of Paris! Such scandalous yet thrilling innovation! This is what sets my heart a-flutter! She even used a “floating” ballet slipper! She had everyone on the edge of their seats, wondering, was it possible to achieve such a feat? A truly captivating, powerful moment that truly broke the mould!
Don't you worry, my dear tutus lovers, there are plenty more surprises for you. On this particular March 31st, 1857, another great dancer, Mademoiselle Carlotta Grisi is starring in the Giselle production at the Théâtre de l'Opéra de Paris. Can you picture the ethereal beauty, the captivating performance, and the incredible costume of the title character! Giselle, with her delicate tutus and romantic flourishes, made the heart of Paris (and every ballet lover) beat with its delicate beauty. These two ballerinas, truly, were legends in their own right, showcasing their grace and talent through innovative designs and mesmerizing performances!
Speaking of tutus, my sweet fashion darlings, this 19th-century Paris is absolutely dripping with incredible fashion. Just picture the Parisian women in their lovely skirts with tight bodices, those flowing skirts perfect for dancing a waltzer! And, oh! What's even more exciting is that while the Parisian women are still wearing hoops under their skirts, you are going to have to imagine them on a much larger scale! Think large-enough-to-fit-your-whole-body-inside-them large! It is an era of lavish styles and big bold gestures.
You might think these dresses are a bit impractical, right? They're definitely grand, but the styles can be just a tad bit constricting for a pirouette! This is where our darling tutus really come in! Imagine, a billowing layer of tulle over the stiff hoops, it's the perfect way to let a woman move and dance. They're the most captivating and freeing elements of a dancer's costume, don't you think?
Speaking of fashion, Paris in 1857 is the center of the fashion world. Think Charles Worth, the father of Haute Couture! We have to look no further for fashion inspiration!
To travel back to Paris, darling, for just one day! Oh, wouldn't that be a treat! One of the things that excites me about time travel is the train journeys. There's a certain magical romance, wouldn't you agree, in steaming across the countryside in a beautiful train carriage with velvet seats? It feels like you’re stepping into a world of possibilities. All I'd have to do is pop on my pink tutu and tap my dancing shoes together a few times, and poof! Right back to the Paris of the 19th century, full of fashion, ballet, and endless opportunities! I just need a bigger stage and more pink tutus for my performance to fuel this beautiful trip!
Right then, my darling fashionistas! If there is one lesson to take away from today's #TutuTuesday: tutus have a captivating history, connected to the beautiful story of ballet! So why not whip up your very own pink tutu and join me in embracing the joy and artistry of dance! The power of a tutu isn’t just in its elegance and beauty, it is the freedom to dance your way into any moment. After all, the most fabulous thing about wearing a tutu is that it reminds us that we're all just a pirouette away from feeling like a beautiful, swirling dream!
Until next Tuesday, my lovelies, let's continue to spread the love and magic of tutus! Go forth, be bold, and embrace the tutus that await! #TutuTuesday #BalletLove #Fashionista #TimeTravel #PinkTutus
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
