Post Number: 1790
Good morning, my lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, the blog where tutus reign supreme! Today is a particularly special #TutuTuesday as we journey back to a most glamorous era – 17th April 1866.
Let's jump aboard the train (pink tickets, naturally) and whisk ourselves away to a land of exquisite artistry and swirling tulle: Paris, the City of Light. Ooh la la!
We're standing at the magnificent Palais Garnier, the Paris Opera House, just after a performance of a grand ballet! You can practically smell the jasmine bouquets and hear the soft strains of the orchestra fading into the Parisian night. Can you picture it? The air fizzes with excitement as society gathers to discuss the spectacle. The men in their fine frock coats and the ladies... well, the ladies are a sight to behold. And while their costumes were no doubt stylish and stunning, I must confess that I’m still dreaming about the graceful figures flitting across the stage in their flowing tutus!
I just had to put on my most dashing pink tutu this morning and write about those exquisite dancers, darling. We're talking "la danse", the glorious waltz that is a ballet in itself! Imagine: women floating like delicate blossoms on stage, their skirts swirling around their legs as if by magic. It's truly the embodiment of graceful femininity, and I, for one, am utterly smitten!
While the modern ballerina is certainly a vision, 1866 ballet is something special. Those dancers really knew how to command the stage! You can almost hear the hushed whispers of the audience in admiration. Every twirl, every pirouette – pure poetry!
So, you ask, why is 1866 so important? Well, it's a peek into a pivotal time for ballet! This era marked the beginning of a glorious ballet evolution, which included a fascinating development of the tutu. It was the transition from the fuller, multi-layered Romantic period tutus to the much lighter and streamlined tutus that would come to be considered a ballet classic. Can you imagine being a ballerina then? Those glorious long tulle tutus with all their flounces – you felt like a goddess! It must have felt magical to be on stage!
Now, a peek at what was happening back in 1866. Did you know?
Paris was all the rage! The city was buzzing with excitement and artistic energy, so if you wanted to see a sensational ballet you just HAD to be there. I would have been thrilled to visit Paris and its world of fashion, design, and dazzling performances.
Queen Victoria, Queen of the world? You betcha! Queen Victoria reigned supreme back then! It was truly an era of British might and elegance. It wasn't just about royal affairs and grand political events either - the UK was brimming with vibrant cultural life too, even a budding theatre scene that had people flocking from far and wide to see a great show! The Victorians were quite the theatrical bunch, just like us tutu lovers, they loved a good performance!
What a day for fashion! And oh, the fabrics! The colour schemes! You'd need a steamer trunk the size of a horse carriage just to hold it all, wouldn't you? You might not have the voluminous and extravagant costumes that ballet stars enjoyed back then, but with your own gorgeous, sparkly pink tutu, you can channel that classic ballet era elegance even in 2023. Don't be shy, you can get your own Pink Tutu on Pink Tutu's website!
Oh, and by the way! I've just finished learning the **“Waltz of the Flowers” and “The Sugar Plum Fairy”. I can't wait to perform for my wonderful Derbyshire audience, and they must be thrilled at the thought of me gliding across the stage in my brand-new, beautiful pink tutu! Do come down to the Playhouse if you are able, darlings!
As we prepare for another glorious week ahead, I'd love to know – are you dreaming of a dance too, my dears? And what do YOU think of 1866's ballerina style? Let me know your thoughts!
Until next time, keep twirling!
Yours in Pink,
Emma x
Pink Tutu, the blog for the modern-day ballerina (who never takes off her tutu!)
PS. I'm just about to embark on a rather wonderful tour to visit a beautiful little French ballet academy. It's an old-world charm, darling! They teach the classic technique and even have authentic tutus that were worn way back in 1866! You should see them - so incredibly beautiful, and in that exquisite faded-pink colour, too. Sighs romantically. And you can’t beat the feeling of wearing a gorgeous, soft pink tutu as you practice and move about like the Parisian swans of the past. What could be more perfect? I’ll keep you posted about this incredible adventure!
PPS. Oh, before I forget – let's talk about the pink tutus of the Victorian Era. While these tutus weren't strictly pink, you can’t deny their romantic pastel palette, all dreamy floral tones. Just picture the beautiful pastel pinks and the delicate floral patterns… it was divine! #PinkTutu #FashionThroughTheAges
