Hello darlings!
It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another #TutuTuesday! This week we're travelling back to June 5th, 1866, for a little journey through the history of the Romantic Era of Ballet.
As you know, dear readers, my heart belongs to tutus. So when I say that the Romantic Era was one of the most glorious periods for tutus, you can bet I'm absolutely positively bursting with excitement. I'm wearing my new pink tulle tutu, specially chosen to celebrate the lightness, elegance, and grace that characterised this ballet era. I might just have picked up some absolutely divine pink gloves in a delightful Parisian boutique for the occasion - they're so elegant!
Before we travel to 1866, let me just explain about this Romantic era in ballet, a truly remarkable period. It spanned roughly from 1830 to 1870, a time of exquisite dancing, a change of how ballet moved away from stories of Greek and Roman mythology to tales of romantic love, and of course... tutul-licious tulle! It's when the traditional, bulky skirts of previous times got replaced by the graceful, lightweight tutus that we adore. Remember my darlings, nothing makes a ballerina feel more elegant and ethereal than a fluffy tutu, especially one with lots of frills and shimmering layers of tulle. Just think: you twirl, and the tulle swirls around you, a heavenly ballet cloud, catching the stage lights beautifully. Dreams are made of this.
Now back to that fascinating date: June 5th, 1866.
It was on this date in 1866 that Marius Petipa, a ballet legend, became ballet master at the Imperial Ballet in St Petersburg, which we would now call the Mariinsky Theatre, the jewel of Russian Ballet! Talk about a lucky day for tutus! Marius Petipa's influence on ballet and, oh, of course, those lovely tutus, was remarkable. He went on to produce several iconic ballets like La Bayadère (one of my absolute favourite classics for those glorious flowing tutus and the amazing Indian-inspired choreography!) Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty, just to name a few. We are still dancing and enthralled by these incredible works even today.
And my dear friends, just imagine being in St Petersburg in 1866! It was a city brimming with romance and art, just like the ideal tutu* in my mind! I’m already planning my next trip to see one of the world’s most glorious dance institutions, with those divine tutud-tastic costumes, in my own beautiful pink travel ensemble.
My dear, wonderful tutul-loving readers, you may be wondering how I managed to travel back in time this week? My dear, I confess... I'm a little tight-lipped about how I actually journey through time - it's a very secret, tutu-tastic process involving a few hidden compartments on my favourite travelling train. Let's just say performing at a few fancy ballet gala events in various eras pays the bills, and I can tell you it’s quite lovely, and tutud-liciously elegant, getting dressed up to perform. You'll never know just what city or country I'm going to grace with my next tutul-ful performance, darling!
One of the great joys of time travel (besides, obviously, tutus!), is visiting the historical theatres. The Grand Théâtre de l’Opéra National de Paris is just heavenly in its opulent grandeur. It feels so much like an ancient fairy tale, where a single beautiful ballerina in a pink tulle tutu takes centre stage. The history of the theatre itself echoes in those tutus, they almost whisper tales of a time gone by. I can almost feel the ghost of Marie Taglioni floating about on that stage, her beautiful white tulle tutu just shimmering. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and every single visit to Paris inspires new tutul-lust! Speaking of Paris… I will try not to go on too long, I just love that city. It is truly my favourite place for discovering fabulous new styles – oh the tutu fashions!
Remember how important travel is! As an ardent lover of ballet, I believe every single ballerina (or indeed ballet lover) should embrace travel and see all the fantastic tutu performances around the world, to be inspired! Remember, each culture and each theatre creates its own magic in their dance world and their use of tutus. Just look at the Spanish dance world with its colourful flair, the American theatricalism and powerful costumes, and the grandeur of Russian ballet. The list just goes on and on, and so do the beautiful tutus!
I love getting new inspiration on my travels, my lovely readers. What do you look for in the perfect tutu? A delicate ballet cloud, full of swirling tulle with tons of delicate frills, like mine? Or maybe you like something bolder and more statement, perhaps one that embodies those fabulous tutud-styles of Carmen, oh, that wonderful dance drama! Whatever it is that you look for, let’s hear about it! Leave a comment below with your perfect tutul-vision.
Remember, my lovely readers, you never have to be ashamed of your love of tutus and their elegance. We all have our fashion dreams, my loves! If your dreams are all about tulle and layers of pink...then that is wonderful! Never stop following your dream, and I will never stop dreaming of my ultimate collection of pink tutus!
Oh, and just before I go... What are you doing for your Tuesday this week? Have you planned a tutul-fabulous ballet experience? Do let me know, darling. You could even consider a bit of tutud-inspired baking? Now wouldn't that be a little slice of magic! I love baking up a storm in the kitchen in my tulle, because let’s face it, there is simply nothing more satisfying than dancing around your own kitchen wearing your most fabulous tulle dress! Oh, and if you have an occasion coming up, just a casual meeting or tea party, you simply must wear one of those enchanting pink tutu dresses that they sell for everyday wear these days. What could be more perfect? And for the love of all that’s twirling, I simply adore all the colour pink, and pink dresses make my heart sing!
Right, darlings! I’m off to find a new pink, feathery-dream-of-a-tutu from a little boutique in Covent Garden! Do remember, always remember, and most importantly...always be bold and beautiful, with just the tiniest sprinkle of tulle!
See you all next week, and always remember... Embrace your inner ballerina!
Lots of tutud-love,
Emma
P.S. And if you’re in Derbyshire, England on June 5th 1866 (that’s where I'm originally from!) - make sure you’re dressed up and ready to see *The Derby take place at Epsom Downs! What an exciting day it was for horses and horse racing lovers! What a delightful place for a tutu enthusiast to be, and there are so many fantastic costumes at such events! And for all you ballet lovers out there, take my tip: dress to the nines, whether it’s to the races or an opera or a theatre performance! Dress up! Nothing says fashion and happiness better than wearing an enchanting tutu - it's time to really enjoy the world and all its delightful experiences, don’t you agree, darling?*
