Bonjour mes chĂ©ries! Itâs Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveler, bringing you another enchanting journey through the history of the tutu! This week, weâre stepping back to 6th May 1862 - and let me tell you, the world of dance was absolutely buzzing!
Now, 1862, thatâs a very special year in the ballet world, especially in our beloved Paris. It's the year we witnessed the premiĂšre of one of the most famous ballets of all time, a production that still captivates audiences today. Can you guess what it is?
Thatâs right, Giselle! This tale of love, heartbreak, and the supernatural, a ballet born from the beautiful mind of the French poet ThĂ©ophile Gautier, truly blew the Parisian world away. The story's emotional depth and the haunting choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot set a new standard for ballet storytelling, captivating hearts and minds all across the city.
Imagine, a ballet about a beautiful, innocent village girl who falls in love with a young nobleman. But alas! He is not who he seems. Itâs a truly thrilling tale of disguise, deceit, and tragic passion, set to the hauntingly beautiful music of Adolphe Adam. Oh, and letâs not forget the beautiful, shimmering costumes, perfectly complimenting the graceful movements.
Speaking of costumes, you just know I had to see for myself how the dancers were dressed for Giselle, so I took a whirl back to 1862 - wouldnât you?!
A Dance Through Time
It was fascinating! Now, remember, tutus werenât called âtutĂșsâ back then, oh no! Itâs funny to think that what we consider so iconic had other names in the past. For Giselle, they were using those graceful "Romantic Tutus", those flowing creations with the super-long layers and gossamer lightness. Can you imagine dancing with so much beautiful fabric swishing around? Honestly, it makes my heart sing just thinking about it.
I just have to add, the colour palette for the Giselle dancers was absolutely divine. Creamy white for purity, delicate blues and pinks for grace, all with a hint of ethereal silver and shimmering gold. Just breathtaking! Itâs no wonder Giselle set the scene for so much beauty on the stage. It was just dreamy, and reminded me of why I love ballet and the magic of a tutu so much.
And talking about the ballet itself, Giselle also introduced this whole concept of the âRomantic ballet", which made storytelling central to the choreography. Ballet wasn't just a series of elegant movements, it was an expression of real emotions. Imagine how incredibly beautiful and exciting it must have felt!
Oh, the emotions I felt in Paris watching this ballet were just as powerful as when I first discovered ballet at age 7 in Derbyshire, with all those emotions bubbling inside me. Back then, my dear gran, the one who gifted me my very first ballet costume, taught me to be confident and embrace everything about dance. This confidence has travelled through time with me and even back then helped me stay grounded through my whirlwind time traveling ballet adventures! I swear the first tutu I ever saw, I was totally mesmerized and havenât stopped spinning around ever since! I've travelled to every ballet capital in the world: London, Milan, Vienna... you name it! But, there's something truly magical about Parisian dance. It feels like an echo of the Belle Ăpoque era - full of exquisite gowns, delightful gossip and an air of extravagance, which just made me feel positively giddy!
And, while it may sound like it, travelling to the past is not without its difficulties! This past Tuesday I actually had a rather scary experience when my time machine took a slight detour back in 1957⊠and let's just say it was definitely not a dance floor friendly event! It took a while for the gears to stop spinning and my heart to return to normal! And of course, it would have to happen at the height of Elvismania...
Anyway, I've been going over my travel notes - thatâs my secret tip: a well kept diary helps to avoid those unwanted time machine malfunctions. My pink tutus also need careful maintenance, just because the style may not have changed, doesnât mean it's easy keeping your time machine travelling in its very best! And who wouldn't want their own wardrobe fit for a ballerina time traveller? So next time you go to a vintage store, try to imagine how a 1950âs pink tulle skirt might feel in a swirling time vortex⊠if you can imagine it, you can almost travel in time!
Back to Giselle, though⊠you know, as I watched the delicate movements of the dancers, I started thinking about what ballet means to us today. This enchanting art form continues to captivate generations, just like Giselle does today! And if thereâs one thing Giselle tells us, itâs to follow our dreams, embrace our individuality, and to always, always remember the magic of a captivating story.
Tutu Time!
So, you've got the ballet history down and we're talking fashion right?! This brings us to my next segment, a timeless topic for any true #TutuTuesday fan: fashion!
Okay, girlies, we need to talk about our pink tutus! They're essential, of course, for any aspiring ballerina and certainly a time-travelling wardrobe staple. Let me tell you, with so many different colours and lengths to choose from, a tutu can totally transform your look in a heartbeat, giving you that extra twirl and making you feel oh-so-magical!
Think about how youâre feeling today - do you want a dramatic sweep of colour, maybe a beautiful shade of pink like this exquisite one with layers and layers of tulle, or are you wanting a more understated and modern vibe? A single layer of tulle is so chic, even more if it is in a bold colour, it creates this air of timeless glamour - perfect for my Parisian expeditions! Or, maybe you want to experiment with the newest fabrics, those lightweight, shimmering, modern ones that can turn any ordinary look into a true ballet moment! I'm all about trying something new. Experiment! Dare to be bold, darling!
And remember, when it comes to our beloved tutus, itâs all about confidence and joy, just like a beautiful dance. Just as we love our ballet heroes, a good, well-constructed tutu has such a powerful and beautiful meaning to me, and I truly believe every single woman, girl or little one deserves to experience the joy of wearing one, just like you should!
Sharing the love!
That's all for this week! And you know what? I love hearing your comments and suggestions! If you've had any personal tutu-related adventures - especially if they include a dash of time travel - do share! You never know what inspiration awaits when we spin together!
And, be sure to follow me at www.pink-tutu.com for more #TutuTuesday adventures every week! And don't forget, darling, life is a dance and it's so much more fun when you spin in a tutu! Au revoir!
