Greetings, lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again with another dive into the fabulous world of tutus! Today, we're twirling back to June 14th, 1859 – a day full of romance, fashion, and the glorious beginnings of something truly special! 🩰
As the morning mist clears over the Seine, the City of Lights awakens to a day brimming with excitement! It’s a perfect Parisian summer day, with the sun glinting off the cobblestones and the aroma of fresh croissants filling the air. The air is thick with the anticipation of a big day – a grand ballet performance at the Paris Opera House! I can practically smell the intoxicating fragrance of the freshly painted scenery and the excitement brewing amongst the fashionable Parisian society.
Just imagine: ladies dressed in their most exquisite ball gowns and the gentlemen dapper in their finest frock coats, all gathered together in their love of the arts!
Now, this might be a shock for you, darlings, but while today's tutu designs might make you gasp and squeal, back in 1859, the world of the ballet tutu was quite different. They were more elaborate, almost like structured petticoats. Imagine, my dears, an intricate, flowing skirt of layers of tulle and lace, adorned with silk flowers and ribbon. They were absolutely enchanting! Think “Bridgerton meets ballet,” but with a much greater emphasis on flowing fabrics and an air of unfettered joy!
Back to our story, my loves,
The dancers are busy preparing. It's a day like no other – because today, we have a special occasion: A debut performance of "Giselle," by the celebrated composer Adolphe Adam. And trust me, dearies, this performance promises to be sensational! The romantic drama of a young peasant girl who takes on the guise of a ghostly spirit, danced against the backdrop of a magical, ethereal forest? Oh my, my heart is pounding with excitement just imagining it!
But back to the tutus, dear readers! In the 1859 edition of “Giselle,” the tutus have taken a fascinating turn towards what we know today as the "Romantic tutu," the perfect canvas for graceful movements. It's not just the beautiful fabric or the delicate craftsmanship that catches the eye, my loves; it's how these delicate fabrics and layers truly let the beauty of the dancers shine! They seem to float across the stage, with each pirouette and arabesque sending the audiences into rapturous applause.
Speaking of “Giselle,” dearies, just imagine this! This is actually the time period when “Giselle” debuted in 1841! Can you believe it?! That year, Marie Taglioni, the ballet star of the day, is credited with the invention of what we know today as the "Romantic tutu," made of layers of tulle, this allows the graceful movements of ballet dancers to shine through! It is all so beautifully crafted and oh-so-elegant! Marie herself, an ethereal creature of a dancer with flowing black hair, became an absolute sensation in that debut. I wish I was there!
Tutu Talk
Now, let's talk about this exciting day in 1859. A new era of "Giselle" has begun, one with exquisite, ethereal designs, with dancers performing breathtakingly with these revolutionary tutus! I am simply swept away by how it brings a touch of poetry into this art form! This era in ballet history, dearies, truly saw the "Romantic tutu" taking centre stage and setting a precedent that would change the way dancers performed for generations to come!
It is all so lovely! What could be better than twirling away the hours, lost in the wonder of ballet? Oh, dear readers, you have no idea how lucky we are to be living in a time where ballet is enjoyed so universally, both on stage and in everyday life. And oh, by the way, ballet street is so popular! Do any of you darlings enjoy it?
Fashion is my passion
Speaking of tutus, it has me reminiscing about a delightful train journey through the English countryside recently. The most adorable lady on the train, she was dressed in an exquisite pink and white polka dot dress and a gorgeous ballerina bun with a pearl clip, took her little daughter, a very fashionable four year old dressed in a pink, lace-trimmed, polka dot, princess ballerina dress (with her own super cute ballerina bun, of course) into the first-class carriage to "give us all a show". She said, "Do not worry," she is not going to give us a "full performance", just some “turns, and petits jetés *and she is so excited to wear her first pink tutu. It was like something straight out of a book - or even better, my dream of pink tulle!"
It’s all so pretty and wonderful and just made my heart dance, truly. There is just something so elegant and captivating about a dancer's silhouette, the grace of their movements – truly breathtaking! *Oh, the delight, and it got me thinking! If we all just embraced the joy of the twirl, imagine how fabulous life would be! It's all about letting your inner ballerina shine! Do join me, my lovelies, and take a twirl, or two! #TutuLife 🩰 💓 *
Now, back to our present, my darlings.
Today, dear readers, I am going to be heading over to the Royal Opera House in London to watch “Giselle”. It’s my favourite ballet. It’s quite incredible how the history of ballet and the "Romantic tutu" are brought to life on that grand stage!
Until next Tuesday, my lovelies! Stay sparkly! 💫
P.S.: Did you know I have a collection of the most wonderful tutus back at my home in Derbyshire? You are most welcome to join me for a "Pink Tutu" Tea Party! It’s quite a sight, all pink! 💗
And until next time, darlings, don’t forget to put on your tutu (even if it is only to twirl in your own living room, my dears, it does wonders for the soul! 😄!) #tutuTuesday
