Hey darlings, it's your favourite tutu-clad time-traveller, Emma, back with another blast from the past for our weekly #TutuTuesday. Today, we're waltzing back to June 5th, 1860, a date bursting with romanticism, grandeur, and... well, let's just say it was almost tutu-time! 😉
You see, my fellow tutu-thusiasts, 1860 was a period when ballet was enjoying an incredible revival. While tutus as we know them hadn't quite made their grand entrance, the foundations were being laid! Picture this: lush theatres adorned with sparkling chandeliers, graceful ballerinas gliding across the stage, their skirts swirling with the utmost elegance. It was all the stuff of fairy tales!
Now, let's take a little trip to the most glamorous city in the world – Paris! Today, we're visiting the Opéra Garnier (then still known as the Palais Garnier). It's the hottest spot for ballets in the world and a grand haven for lovers of fashion and drama. Just picture yourself waltzing into the Opera House, its sumptuous interior a symphony of gilded mirrors and opulent chandeliers. You're practically begging to be adorned in a glorious pink tutu, wouldn't you say?
But back to June 5th, 1860 – and oh, what a night! Tonight, the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels is ablaze with excitement as they prepare for a special event! The Royal Theatre Ballet will present their stunning version of "Giselle", a masterpiece that embodies the spirit of the Romantic ballet period. "Giselle" is a story of true love, betrayal, and tragic destiny, making it a perfect choice for a June evening in the Belgian capital. Just imagine, ladies, if we could see it today with all our knowledge of the future of ballet - how grand it would be!
Now, before I transport myself back to the modern day, let's take a look at fashion in the early 1860s. You wouldn't see too many tutus just yet, but imagine layers of silks and crinolines! Women are wearing large, billowing skirts that give a sense of romantic elegance, very similar to a ballerina's graceful movement on stage. Think billowing sleeves and decorative lace, the essence of whimsical romance that just begs to be matched with a ballerina's elegance. We're already well on our way to the ultimate tutus!
I just know, dear readers, that I wouldn’t feel at home anywhere else but in the theatre! And in this era, where fashion and romance blend together so seamlessly, I simply must give my time-traveling wardrobe a serious upgrade! It’s high time to embrace some exquisite lace-trimmed bodices, dreamy silk skirts, and perhaps even some velvet bonnets, all just whispering "ballet!" – and maybe a sprinkle of those "Tutu Tuesday" dreams, too! 😉
So, to the ladies of Derbyshire, London, Paris, and indeed, all the way to the charming little towns tucked away between, keep swirling those skirts! Embrace the enchantment of romance, the grace of movement, and maybe, just maybe, the tiniest little touch of pink tutu dreams. After all, a pink tutu is a dream for all seasons!
Until next time,
Your tutu-loving Emma! 💖🩰
