Greetings, my darling tutu-loving lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time-traveler Emma, and I'm back to whisk you away on another fantastical journey through the history of ballet and, of course, the glorious tutu! Today we're taking a little trip to Paris in 1864, where fashion was truly entering a whirlwind of excitement!
I've just been to the most dazzling ballet performance at the Opéra Garnier. The Opéra Garnier! Oh, how I love the opulence, the gilded grandeur, and the magic that radiates through this magnificent theatre! Can you imagine being part of such a prestigious ballet world, surrounded by the crème de la crème of Parisian society? It's utterly intoxicating!
And the fashion! My word, the fashion! It's so wonderfully over the top, with an emphasis on volume, frills, and flounces. A little bit of bouffant in the dress, a little bit of poof in the hair, a whole lot of embellishment everywhere! It's quite delightful to see how even back then, everyone was so obsessed with showcasing their creativity. And guess what I saw? I've never seen this kind of tutu before, I don't think. The tutus at the Opéra Garnier are truly unlike anything you see today. A most curious creation. It was not just about fluffy lightness, like in our times. No, these tutus were heavy with layers of stiff white fabric! Think stiff, layered crinolines with delicate layers of lace at the end for a slight skirt effect. Not at all graceful in modern dance but an amazing show of artistry in this era, very important to convey the graceful grandeur.
Speaking of today's date, May 10th 1864, is also the birth date of our dearest Emma Calvé! You might know her from her roles in operas like Carmen and La Tosca! What a dramatic talent! Imagine, born just a couple of years before Carmen, one of the most well-known and celebrated operatic pieces of this time. Such a fantastic date, wouldn't you say?
I found the most incredible antique shop in the Marais today, full of glorious lace and ribbon, and oh my goodness, did they have the most spectacular collection of fabric flowers! I just couldn't resist purchasing some, of course, to create a delicate pink floral accent to add to my latest creation, my tutu inspired by the grandeur of the Victorian era! Think layered petticoats of fine, delicate chiffon and silk. Imagine an abundance of pink and lilac with embellishments of fine beads and crystals and a layer of fine white lace peeking out at the end. It's oh so romantic and truly reflects the grandeur of the Victorian spirit! I have a lovely, perfectly frilled pink silk boned bodice to match! The beauty of travelling through time is finding the most enchanting fabrics!
I absolutely cannot wait to wear this pink, lacy beauty at my upcoming performance tonight! I can feel the magic in the air, the thrum of excitement and the passion of those who, like me, are completely enthralled by this art form. The music will be sweeping, the movements powerful and expressive, and we will all be transported to another realm of imagination and grace.
And of course, darling tutus will be an integral part of this wondrous, ethereal journey. This time, I am definitely going to give everyone in the audience a pink tutu. This will add just that bit of magic to the evening. Just you wait! I will tell you all about it next week!
In the meantime, remember that a pink tutu can make you feel fabulous no matter the era!
Until next Tutu Tuesday, be radiant and be sure to let your spirit soar!
XOXO Emma
PS. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more fantastic tutu-inspired fun and to share your own tutu creations! And of course, be sure to follow me on Instagram for daily glimpses of my adventures in the world of fashion and ballet. My handle is @pinktutuemma. I look forward to hearing from you! You can find the history of the tutu on my website and in my books about ballet fashion history! You can also follow my posts from this and my other time travels, like last week's visit to St. Petersburg for the ballet Swan Lake, or the lovely opera and ballet Carmen, and to Italy for Romeo and Juliet, and all the ballet's around the world, with their glorious fashion.
