Hello dears! Emma here, back from another trip through time! Today, we're waltzing back to the elegant year of 1860. Imagine the excitement - bustling carriages, gaslights twinkling, and, oh, the fashion! Weāre in Paris, darling, the heart of all things stylish, and of course, where tutus are just beginning to take their place in the spotlight.
Letās talk tulle, shall we? Back in 1860, tulle, or ātulleā as it was called back then, wasnāt quite the essential ballet material it is today. Think more net-like fabric than the structured layers we adore! The term itself actually came from tulle, a city in France. Imagine the lovely ladies making dainty lace curtains there, that would have been quite something to see! But they didn't just make curtains - that delicate fabric was also being used for evening dresses and, get this - even stage costumes!
This year marks an interesting period in the evolution of the ballet tutu. Before this, you had a lot of full skirts or even what weād now consider trousers (can you imagine?!), but you also had dancers like Fanny Elssler wearing these glorious Grecian style garments. They would have looked like flowing gowns with fabric so fine it barely clung to the body. It was all about creating this lovely flowing movement on stage, but very, very different from what we have today!
However, if we take a peek inside the beautiful Paris Opera, weāre going to see a revolutionary design that was about to change everything! Iām talking about the creation of whatās now known as the "Romantic Tutuā. Itās about shorter and looser, a lighter feeling that showed the movement of the legs with greater freedom. You know how much I love those grand leaps!
Oh darling, if only I could see it! This tutu was designed by a talented designer named Carl Von Hasenauer, and it revolutionised the world of dance! Now, imagine, those tutus were very much handmade. So we're not just talking a garment but a piece of art! A symphony of layers in white or pastel pink, maybe with little flowers tucked around, like my pink tutu right now. Think ethereal and etherealā¦ Thatās exactly what it was. You had to imagine yourself transported to another world while you watched them!
You can just picture it: all the elegant Parisian women arriving at the opera, their lovely hats and dresses billowing in the cool evening air, looking perfectly poised in the glow of gas lamps. It was such a wonderful time!
However, what truly captivates me about 1860s dance are those shoes! Those pointe shoes! Think delicate, handmade perfection with an undeniable elegance! Of course, we all know what an arduous task they are to wear. But just seeing the elegant ballet dancer rise up, oh darling, the thrill of it all is absolutely delightful! You can't help but get swept up in the beauty and grace! It truly is something else.
On a completely unrelated note, donāt forget to book your tickets to the next show at The Royal Opera House, dears! Itās an enchanting show you donāt want to miss.
Next week, darling, we're going to be heading back to 1880! But, youāll have to wait till Tuesday to find out more! And before you forget, remember that anything is possible if you dare to dream. Itās all about believing in your passion, darling, so wear your pink tutu with pride, just as I do!
See you next Tuesday!
Yours always, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
