Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another dazzling instalment of #TutuTuesday! This week we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to the 16th of January 1866! Fancy that!
Oh my, the 19th century! Such an exciting era for ballet, and we're going to see why, right here, right now! Now grab your finest tiaras and lace gloves - it's time for some serious fashion history!
As you may know, my time-travelling escapades are powered by the pure joy of dance. So, it should come as no surprise that I chose this particular date for a very special reason. On the 16th of January 1866, the very first performance of the ballet "Coppélia" by Léo Delibes took place in Paris. Can you believe it?! A stunning debut that set the stage for an incredible ballet masterpiece!
It was simply magical! Picture it - the bright lights of the Palais Garnier, a stage filled with ballerinas, all swirling and pirouetting, dressed in beautiful costumes. I had to make my way backstage to see it for myself! You simply have to imagine the excitement as the dancers pirouetted through their roles, showcasing their talents under the glittering chandeliers of the Grand Opera.
Now, let's delve a little deeper into this beautiful ballet and why it was such a significant milestone. "Coppélia" tells the story of a toymaker who creates a beautiful doll named Coppélia. She becomes the obsession of Franz, who falls in love with her, forgetting his own betrothed, Swanilda. A sweet story filled with beautiful, airy waltzes, a hilarious comical dance with a charming villain and the iconic "Hungarian" dance that everyone loves!
This iconic ballet is considered a masterpiece, and I couldn't resist popping backstage, in all my pink tutu glory, to see how those amazing tutus came to be.
And you know what I found? A very distinct trend! As a time-traveling ballerina, it's my duty to know all about tutus and I must tell you that tutues in 1866 were shorter than what we're used to seeing today! Think "midi" tutus! It was the beginning of a long and beautiful tutu evolution!
The costumes were crafted from layers of tulle and, while there were many similarities with tutus today, there was one rather surprising discovery I made:
They didn't use sewing machines back then! Oh my, can you imagine all those tiny stitches, hand-crafted with love and precision? Each and every layer of tulle, every stitch, it was a true labour of love!
Now, who doesn't love a little fashion trivia? Here's another gem I unearthed. The famous tutu-like skirt we associate with "Coppélia" wasn't the only fashion statement in the ballet. Think layers and more layers - and you guessed it, frills! Layers and layers of frills, each a unique burst of color! It was quite a spectacle. The colours were bright, bold, and the movement flowed so elegantly with every step!
This trip wasn't just about the ballet, of course. Remember, fashion and ballet are two passions that burn bright for me, so I spent some time soaking in the fashionable sights and sounds of Paris in 1866.
And wouldn't you know it? I stumbled across the most fantastic haberdashery shop, right in the heart of Paris. This shop had everything from exquisite lace and velvet, to beads and jewels of all shapes and sizes, even delicate plumes and ostrich feathers. I almost wanted to pack a whole wardrobe to bring home with me!
I felt the strong desire to get myself some fantastic trims to put on my tutus - it's truly inspiring seeing these exquisite embellishments used on these beautiful clothes of a bygone era! It really sets a beautiful standard for fashion, both in terms of beauty and craftsmanship. It's something I try to emulate with my own outfits when I perform, ensuring each layer is the perfect shade of pink, embellished to perfection with the right amount of shimmer and sparkle!
However, you may be thinking: "Emma, what about your tutu in 1866?". Don't worry, my darling tutu lovers! I knew exactly what I had to do to be a true ambassador of pink tutus, even in 1866! I made my way to the finest seamstress in town, brought a lovely piece of vibrant pink tulle, and told her, "I need a tutu, but make it a pink one!".
Well, the look I received! This seamstress looked at me as if I'd arrived straight from the moon. But my dear, you know me - when I set my mind to something, there's no stopping me! Luckily, there were more than a few silk and lace shops around, which helped with this fashion-forward idea, and in a flash of ribbons and bows, a stunning pink tutu emerged! This is how the pink tutu made its mark on history! The look on people's faces as they saw this flamboyant display of colour, as a lone pink ballerina walked amongst the traditional outfits, is priceless! The crowds in the theatres even stopped their chatting as I performed on stage in my vibrant pink tutu, dazzling under the light of the chandeliers!
Speaking of performing, the highlight of my trip was a fabulous performance at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Now, this theatre, in its prime, is known for hosting some of the biggest names in opera and ballet! Imagine that! Me, performing there, wearing my beautiful pink tutu in front of a room packed with the most distinguished figures of 19th-century Paris. Talk about a moment to remember! I performed a few ballet steps to "Coppélia" alongside a small group of ballet dancers - my arrival on the stage created such excitement that I managed to even get some spontaneous applause! A truly magical moment for any ballerina!
Remember, my darlings, it's never too late to explore the magic of ballet! Whether it's visiting a ballet theatre, taking a class, or even just indulging in a ballet movie marathon.
Let's get creative! Let's fill the world with pink tutus and share our passion for this beautiful art form!
Have a lovely week, and until next Tuesday, happy twirling!
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
