Oh, hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, ready to whisk you back in time to another fabulous tutu tale for #TutuTuesday! Today we’re setting our time machine for the 5th of April, 1859 - a date that feels oh-so-stylish in my pink-tinted world.
This week, darling, we're stepping onto the elegant, theatrical stage of... drumroll ... drumroll ... Paris! Now, as you all know, Paris has been a constant in my heart since my very first trip through the time-turner. The city just whispers “romance” and “elegance” with every cobblestone, and of course, what is more quintessentially French than a ballerina twirling in a perfectly crafted tutu?
Fancy travelling with me, lovelies? Grab your feather boas, because our adventure begins at the iconic Opéra Garnier, that dazzling masterpiece of neo-baroque grandeur. You simply can’t miss it! Just look for its breathtaking grandeur, a breathtaking marriage of intricate details and opulent sculptures. The grandeur of this building practically makes a pink tutu look almost demure!
But let’s rewind a bit, darlings. Back in 1859, our magnificent Opéra Garnier had only just opened its doors to the Parisian public. It was, quite frankly, the talk of the town! Every elegant lady, and gentleman, would’ve been clamouring for a ticket, just to step inside this fabulous temple of art. And of course, a visit wasn't complete without witnessing a ballet performance. Can you imagine? Such beauty and grace! I almost get goosebumps just thinking about it!
Now, let's get to the meat of our TutuTuesday story. Back in the mid-nineteenth century, the tutu as we know it today was really starting to evolve into the delicate, floating masterpiece we adore. Forget about the rather long, cumbersome skirts of earlier ballet eras! In 1859, it was all about creating lightness and airy grace. This is when ballet's dramatic flair and elegance really started to flourish, thanks to the likes of legendary ballerinas like Fanny Elssler and Marie Taglioni, who were known for their artistry and dramatic panache. Their style revolutionised ballet – a true transformation of tutus into pieces of art.
Imagine stepping onto a Parisian stage with a brand-new tutu! You know those whispers of approval – and even the odd sigh of jealousy, which we simply don't pay attention to - they just make you dance with more vigour, darling!
You see, for the Parisiennes in 1859, a tutu wasn’t just an outfit; it was an expression of a whole way of life! It was a sign of refined tastes, exquisite elegance, and, dare I say it, a certain romantic longing that resonates within us all! It whispered of a world of elegance, of dreaming big, and, of course, of soaring through the air on pointe – or as some would say, a state of grace.
But what are we to talk about besides fashion? Well, the news of the day in 1859 was all about progress! For example, the Suez Canal – remember it darling? – that breathtaking piece of engineering that linked the Mediterranean to the Red Sea - was in the works. A brilliant feat that connected continents and brought a whole new world to our fingertips! We were experiencing a time of unprecedented growth and exploration, of breaking down boundaries, much like the way the tutu broke free from its restrictive predecessor to create a world of movement and expression!
We all love seeing the world, especially when its travelling by train! Speaking of which, it was in this year of 1859 that a really big event happened, one that transformed my life! The opening of the Midland Railway! You see, I was born in Derbyshire, England - oh how we love our counties. Our family was right in the centre of it all, the whole buzz of a grand opening, which gave me a real appetite for travel. I mean, it was like stepping onto a stage that lead directly to endless adventure!
Now, you all know how I feel about a perfect train journey, don't you, darlings? The rhythmic clickety-clack, the smell of fresh linen seats and freshly brewed tea, the sheer thrill of zipping through countryside, seeing everything the world has to offer, is oh, so magical. And trust me, as someone who has danced in time periods as diverse as Victorian England and the swinging sixties, the train is the way to go! The perfect travelling companion for a ballerina!
But, I must return from my travel daydreams. I want to end our journey by reminding you, dear readers, of a few things. We need to embrace our unique style. And as always, embrace a good old-fashioned pink tutu - always a brilliant, whimsical, and truly iconic garment that sparks joy in any era!
And to all those aspiring ballerina's out there, darling, keep dreaming, keep striving, and always let your inner ballerina shine. Because even in this day and age, there is no greater joy than finding your inner spark and allowing it to dance in its most beautiful form.
Now, darling, I need to whisk off into another magical tutu time, but I’ll leave you with a question: If you could visit any year, what tutu would you wear and what time-period would you choose to step into? Tell me everything in the comments below, because your style inspires me!
Remember, wear your pink tutu loud and proud, darling! And don't forget to come back next week for another fabulous installment of #TutuTuesday.
Until next time, keep your tutu game strong! 💕
Yours truly, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
