Post number 1694
Hello darlings, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! It's a glorious TutuTuesday, and today, I'm whisking us back in time, darlings, all the way to 14th June 1864. Buckle up for a trip to Paris, my absolute favourite city, with its charming cafes, bustling boulevards, and – oh, the shops!
I simply cannot resist a spot of shopping whenever I pop by, and today, darling, is no exception. We're in the middle of a glorious Parisian summer, with the sun beaming down and the city buzzing with the energy of the Second Empire.
As you know, I am a self-proclaimed advocate of the pink tutu. It’s an elegant statement, a declaration of feminine joy, and I absolutely adore its history. But let's take a peek back in time at what the tutus looked like, in the year 1864.
Now, if you were a dancer in Paris in 1864, your tutus were going through a transformation, darling! The short tutus you see today, so light and free, had barely emerged! These were different days. Imagine voluminous tulle layers cascading to your ankles, a glorious explosion of pink tulle – just like my new tutu, which, by the way, is going to be unveiled at next week’s Ballet Gala. Be sure to catch me on stage, darlings.
Just imagine yourself gliding across the stage, swirling and twirling in these ethereal, full tutus. Think, the kind that take you from the ballroom to a romantic evening, a charming picnic on the Champs-Élysées, or an evening under the twinkling Eiffel Tower (but shhh... that wasn't built yet!).
Today, darling, we have much to thank a remarkable dancer and teacher named Louis Mérante, a true hero of tutudom. He revolutionised ballet costume in the early 1800s, moving away from the cumbersome, and let's be honest, terribly restrictive dresses of the past. He paved the way for lighter, more graceful movement, introducing the tutu's lighter layers that truly embodied the graceful spirit of the dance. He really did usher in a whole new era of dance, paving the way for ballerinas of the modern age.
You see, darlings, in 1864, dancers wore tutus with a layered design, creating a lovely, romantic silhouette. And guess what? These weren't just plain, solid colours, darling. We are talking a plethora of shades of pale pink, with frills and intricate embroidery. Each layer flowed like a whisper of wind, a dance of femininity and grace. Just imagining them fills me with a joyous, girly pirouette!
What's also very interesting is how ballet became increasingly popular as entertainment in these times. People loved to watch performances at the Opéra de Paris – which is still going strong, darling! I find its opulence a testament to how the beauty of dance captured the Parisian imagination, just as it does mine.
Oh, the excitement of it all! Imagine arriving by carriage to see a beautiful spectacle of movement. The music would swirl, the performers would glide through their routines in their gorgeous costumes – tutus, oh my!
And you know, darlings, these tutus were an investment. The more expensive, the finer the fabrics. I mean, think silks, satin, tulle – all shimmering with a touch of elegance and refined Parisian flair. They weren't merely garments, they were a statement of wealth and elegance. A tutu in this period truly was a little piece of luxury.
Oh, my dear blog followers! The Paris Opera Ballet on June 14th, 1864, is showcasing the incredible Giselle! This captivating story of love and betrayal – with that iconic mad scene – is one that will capture your heart and leave you dreaming of tutus, forever. The tutu's history is interwoven with these stories of love, passion, and grace.
As always, remember, my dears, that fashion is not about just wearing clothes, it's about expressing yourself, embracing your inner diva, and making a statement. And what better way to do so than with a delightful, dreamy pink tutu? After all, a little pink never hurt anyone, did it, darling?
Keep twirling, darlings, and until next #TutuTuesday, I wish you nothing but fabulous days filled with pink and pirouettes. Emma.
P.S. Be sure to head over to my [insert webstore name] for my lovely new line of pink tutus!
