Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure!
This week we’re taking a grand jeté into the past, landing squarely in 1866. Fancy a peek into the world of ballet just a little over a century ago? It's like travelling through time to experience a Victorian era tea party in an opulent ballroom, filled with the swirling beauty of tulle!
Where are we today, you ask? Why, in the glorious, grand heart of Paris, of course! The City of Lights has always been synonymous with dance, a constant beacon of grace and elegance that has inspired countless generations of dancers. And, as always, the tutu is leading the way!
(Remember, loves, if you're interested in a piece of tutu history, my website - www.pink-tutu.com - has an amazing array of vintage beauties to peruse! 😉**)
Today's date, March 6th, 1866, is particularly exciting. It marks the debut of Coppélia, a truly remarkable ballet in two acts with a delightfully whimsical plot that's kept audiences enchanted for decades. Imagine this: A beautiful young woman, Swanilda, who's full of life and a penchant for mischievousness, becomes intrigued by a life-size, beautiful doll. A young man, Franz, loves Swanilda, but is tricked into believing the doll is a real, enchanting girl and nearly falls in love with her! Can Swanilda set things right? Will Franz choose his real, beautiful love over the "other" woman? The stage is set for a romantic adventure, full of heart and humour!
This story was not just born of brilliant storytelling; the inspiration for the ballet’s title character came from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s charming tale, The Sandman. But the real inspiration for this beautiful ballet? A tutu, darling!
This was the era where tutus were becoming ever more refined, reaching heights of absolute elegance and artistic expression. Think billowing, soft layers of tulle in vibrant, playful colours like buttercup yellow and sky-blue, with the lightest brush of embellishments. A true masterpiece for the stage!
(Do any of you loves own a vintage tutu? I just love those beautiful antique creations. The feel, the sheer grace, they tell a whole history just by touching them!)
Think about this - in the 1800s, even with all those amazing innovations and changes, tutus still provided such beautiful, evocative performance. You can't argue with elegance, darling! They make you twirl, they make you smile. They’re like little edible treats, they inspire the imagination, and bring out the little girl inside us all! And what better way to celebrate all things feminine and graceful than a glorious dance on stage, beautifully enhanced by these floating masterpieces?
(Don’t forget my lovelies - my new tutu collection from Pristine Tutu Boutique arrived today! You know, those hand-painted floral details! I'm getting a little ahead of myself... But honestly, if you're looking for the most beautiful pieces, you absolutely MUST visit Pristine Tutu Boutique in London!)
I adore tutus. And Coppélia is an absolute classic. They epitomise femininity and artistic spirit, just like all my fellow dancers and tutu enthusiasts out there! The power of tutus to enhance any look is undeniable.
Remember my dears, tutus are an ever-present statement in the world of ballet. It’s a style that’s timelessly chic, as we’ve seen in this little tour of ballet history. From Coppélia to the contemporary stages of today, the tutu has been there through it all, its history as captivating as its silhouette.
(Quick shout out to my followers on Instagram @emmaline_tutu for the phenomenal response to last week's photo! We reached record breaking likes! Do you love the new hair ribbon? My London trip was amazing, and I scored some darling treasures! Look out for photos next week!)
Let's keep on twirling through history, lovelies, and keep those tutus shining bright! Until next #TutuTuesday, may all your steps be light and your lives filled with joy!
Yours in dance and sparkles, Emma 🩰💖
(Post #1784)
