Bonjour, darlings! It’s Emma here, back with another delightful dose of #TutuTuesday. It’s hard to believe another week has flown by. But before we twirl into this week's historical fashion feat, have you joined me on the platform for a little ballet extravaganza yet? The Parisian Opéra Ballet has been showcasing such incredible productions lately, I’ve practically lived there!
But alas, as much as I adore the modern marvels of ballet, I’m a firm believer in honouring our past – those amazing pioneers of the tutu. This week we’re venturing back to the year 1866. Now, August 28th wasn’t just any date. In a Parisian salon buzzing with creativity, Camille Saint-Saëns was birthed into the world. If you're a ballet enthusiast like myself, you know that this little babe would grow up to write some extraordinary music for ballets like 'Phaeton' and the spectacular 'Le Carnaval des Animaux'. I daresay, those tutus were twirling to an extraordinary score!
A Fashion Flashback: Back in 1866, our beloved tutus were evolving – embracing the era’s Romantic sensibilities. Gone were the days of those short, frilly, whimsical creations. Picture instead, long flowing tutus, ethereal and graceful – practically whispering of ballerinas' dreams. I just can't get enough of the way they danced. Like delicate flowers swaying in a summer breeze! I’ve been busy searching through antique fashion plates and sketching these beauties into my very own dress book, by the way, ready to be sewn for the perfect occasion!
Now, one of the most exquisite examples of 1866 ballet wear has to be the costume for Giselle. The famous tutu, (now forever housed at the Victoria and Albert museum, thank goodness!) was made of delicate white gauze. Imagine its transparency and elegance - it must have made ballerinas look positively ethereal! I just love that unfettered flow of fabric and how it emphasized their poetry in motion. The bodice, which I hear is quite beautifully sculpted, is trimmed with a delicate ivory ribbon, which completes the look - almost as if we were back in the era of Les Sylphides. The design is simply magnificent - almost celestial!
I imagine it wasn’t too dissimilar to the tutu worn by one of my all-time favourite ballerinas - Carlotta Grisi. In this period, she was renowned for her extraordinary artistry. Carlotta possessed a graceful ease and elegance which drew audiences spellbound – I think she and those tutus had a special understanding!
And talking of extraordinary things, 1866 also saw Marius Petipa step into the limelight. If you've been keeping up with my #TutuTuesday series, then you'll know this name already. But in case you've missed any - let's recap: Mr Petipa became Ballet Master at the Imperial Theatres in St. Petersburg and started choreographing some of the greatest ballets we know today, from The Sleeping Beauty to Swan Lake. Imagine the thrill of watching those grandiose and dramatic productions, especially on opening night! And the tutus - my word! Spectacular, that's what they were! With his dedication to beautifully staged drama, and the elegance and strength of dancers - how could those tutus have done anything but shimmer in every conceivable direction!
Oh, it was a time for exciting ballet innovation and exciting developments. Even in 1866, tutus and ballerinas continued to weave their magic!
On a Fashion Note...
Before I go, just a quick little note on a fun discovery I’ve been obsessed with lately – vintage shops are positively bursting with beautiful things, but one treasure I found last week was a vintage pair of ballet shoes in a pretty pink hue – simply delightful! Do they not add a touch of elegance to the simplest of ensembles? Just slip them on and they transform everything you're wearing!
It's truly amazing how the fashion trends of the time influenced those elegant tutus, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps next time we meet I'll tell you about the wonderful new ballet fashion discoveries I’ve been making… And don't forget - if you’re ever feeling lacklustre, throw on a tutu! And I do mean any tutu! If I can inspire just one more person to step out in a twirling garment - that's what makes me happy! And who knows - you may even see me spinning and pirouetting by you soon!
Until next Tuesday, darlings! Emma, your Derbyshire tutu enthusiast!
P.S. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @Pink_Tutu for more fashion, travel, and ballet delights. And don't forget to share your tutu pics with me, too!
#TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #VintageStyle #TravelWithEmma
