Hello my darling darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, back for another glorious #TutuTuesday journey through the captivating history of ballet tutus. Today, we're whisking ourselves back to a frosty January day in 1863, right here in the heart of Paris, where the magic of ballet truly takes flight!
Buckle up, darlings, because we're about to explore a fascinating era of fashion and dance. Let's step into the plush red velvet seats of the beautiful Palais Garnier Opera House â can you just imagine? I mean, I've travelled through time quite a bit, but to see a premiere in that magnificent building! â where the enchanting world of ballet is taking shape, right before our very eyes.
Now, you all know how much I adore tutus, and let me tell you, things were a bit different back in 1863. Imagine this, a long, billowing skirt of white tulle, just brushing the floor as a ballerina moves, a complete contrast to the shorter, frilly versions we've become accustomed to in our era. Think "The Swan Lake" and youâre on the right track. But let me tell you, back then the tutu was more of a delicate, flowing silhouette than the short, powerful statement we're used to today. It was an airy dream, not a dramatic explosion of femininity!
Today's blog is dedicated to the romantic tutu - the flowing and ethereal, the epitome of elegant beauty. I do adore a more powerful look - like the shorter tutus seen in âLa Sylphide" - but you simply cannot deny the enchanting appeal of this billowing skirt of tulle and the way it makes a ballerina seem as if she were floating.
There is a lovely little piece in the Palais Garnier repertoire called âLe Papillonâ, created in 1860, by one of my favourite choreographers, M. Marius Petipa, and let me tell you, my darling, the costumes! Theyâre pure ethereal elegance. If you see me whisking through Paris, do keep an eye out for this performance, you won't be disappointed. It's truly captivating to see those long, wispy tutus twirling and swaying, perfectly mimicking the movement of a delicate butterfly, just as it does in the choreography!
Oh! Speaking of twirling, have you ever stopped to think about just how difficult it is for a ballerina to twirl in such a large and weighty garment? It's actually quite incredible â like dancing a delicate ballet with a little extra fluff attached!
It's all in the artistry, and what I truly adore about this particular type of tutu is its ethereal elegance. There's a gentle, airy quality to it, almost as if it's just floating effortlessly on air. In fact, the longer length was actually intended to allow ballerinas to make graceful, sweeping moves â it was a necessity, my darlings. They had to master those grand pirouettes, sweeping their limbs, showcasing that incredible technique, in these gloriously billowing skirts. Can you imagine being able to balance, twirl and dance while simultaneously working that length of tulle? My darlings, this era of ballet had real artistry in its technique!
So, let's take a little break from our Parisian jaunt to dive into some shopping. After a truly marvelous performance of "Le Papillon", we've found ourselves on a lovely little jaunt through the Rue de Rivoli, the shopping heart of Paris. This delightful, bustling street with its charming little shops, my goodness! We've just stopped by Madame RĂ©camierâs atelier. Itâs full of incredible laces, ribbons and oh-so-beautiful fabrics. All the essentials to give that perfect pink-tutu flair. (Naturally, I just HAD to pick up some stunning lace trim for my personal tutu wardrobe.) Madame RĂ©camier was telling me she was even providing materials to some of the dance studios in town! You can only dream, my dears.
After that, a delicious Parisian meal at La Maison de la Truffe, on Rue CoquillĂšre â can you just imagine my absolute delight in the smell of chocolate?â and it was off to an appointment for an exclusive fitting! Let me tell you, the Parisian fashionistas are so meticulous when it comes to creating custom-made ballet attire, you just have to be! The details matter, every pleat, every stitch must be perfectly crafted, just so.
That little piece of insider gossip? Apparently, there is an art to creating these grand tutus that isn't all that different from making an incredible outfit. Itâs about fabric, how it drapes, how it dances!
Now back to our journey! A very full day.
Well, I must be off, my darlings. My next exciting #TutuTuesday post will be back with you all in just seven days. But, for now, remember to always embrace your inner ballerina and to never let the fear of looking silly hold you back. Embrace those pink tutus, embrace the dance, and above all else, enjoy the world of ballet. And remember to share the joy of tutus!
Until then, my darlings, au revoir!
Yours truly, Emma
