Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you the latest in the wonderful world of ballet history. This week, I'm stepping back in time to December 8th, 1863. And, oh my darling dears, it's a fabulous one!
Now, this date is especially dear to me as it marks the first official performance of "La Fille mal gardée" by Arthur Saint-Léon, and it was the very first ballet where a tutu made a grand, flamboyant appearance! Can you imagine? No more those floor-sweeping skirts that could trip a girl up before the grand jeté.
As we all know, tutus have revolutionised the ballet world, haven't they? Before their arrival, dancers were trapped in those impractical, heavy dresses. Thankfully, the tutu took to the stage, and to our hearts, and paved the way for the light and graceful movement that we know and love today. It's all about showing off those gorgeous, toned leg lines and achieving a truly ethereal silhouette.
Speaking of which, it's just so fascinating how a simple garment has transformed over the years. Imagine how thrilled those original dancers must have been, finally able to twirl without tripping!
This week, my darling, I'm wearing a fabulous hot pink tulle tutu (because everything's better in pink, darling!). It's light and floaty, just like a wisp of summer's finest clouds! The frills? Oh, darling, the frills are a sight to behold! But, if I were to be strictly accurate to 1863, I should have donned a romantic tutu. This was the first type to make its dazzling debut and had a distinct layered look with more material compared to later tutus, and it featured a full, elegant skirt. Such a striking sight, especially when worn with a beautiful romantic era-inspired bodice!
Don't be thinking you can just go popping into any dressmaker and ordering a tutu, though, darling! While we are accustomed to tutus readily available in all kinds of materials and colours these days, that simply wasn't the case in the 1860s! This beauty, this absolute dream of a garment, took skilled craftsmanship to bring it to life. Imagine the delicate lace, the exquisite satin, and, of course, the divine tulle that would have gone into creating those breathtaking, full skirts!
After seeing "La Fille mal gardée," I headed over to a delightful little shop in the Theatre district, a hidden gem for fashionistas called La Parisienne. Oh, my dears, the treasures! They were brimming with beautiful garments fit for a ballet starlet like myself! It wasn't only the dresses, though, that captured my heart, it was also the intricate bonnets, those lovely, dainty lace gloves and those superb fans!
Now, for you all, darling dears, it is simply essential to see this revolutionary masterpiece, “La Fille mal gardée,” when it comes to your neck of the woods! While the tutus may have transformed drastically since those early days, believe me, darling, it still has a fabulous, magical quality that’s bound to whisk you away to a land of dance and dreams.
Travelling to see a ballet production is such a delight, by the way! Imagine settling into a comfy carriage, with a good book, a dainty cup of tea, and the gentle chugging of the engine – pure bliss!
I must confess, the train ride from my dear Derbyshire to the city always offers a most enchanting view! As the fields fly by, I find myself fantasizing about the history I’ve just witnessed! I even find inspiration for my own tutu creations!
In fact, after witnessing the romantic tutus of the era, my heart yearns to recreate some truly magnificent designs, don't you think? Perhaps a ballet-inspired picnic on a breezy day would provide the perfect backdrop for these charming creations, wouldn't you say?
Darling dears, you see, life is just better with a little twirl and a sprinkle of pink!
Until next week, keep your tutu dreams alive!
Your very own time-travelling pink tutu enthusiast, Emma
