Hello darlings! Emma here, your tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina blogger, and welcome to #TutuTuesday! Itās post number 1829, so do grab yourselves a cuppa and settle in ā weāve got some serious tutus to discuss today!
Remember last weekās trip back to 1865, when we marveled at how those lovely Victorian ladies took their tutus on walking tours? Well, buckle up, because weāre going even further back in time today ā all the way to January 15th, 1867!
My latest ballet-fuelled time travel expedition landed me smack bang in the middle of Paris, that city of romance and fashion, and oh my tutus, it's bursting at the seams with exquisite sartorial creations! The Parisians, always at the cutting edge of style, have been fully embracing the tutu revolution that swept across the world in the last few decades!
You see, my dears, 1867 was a very special year in tutu history. It was the year of the Universal Exposition, an incredible gathering of the world's finest artistic and scientific minds. It was held right here in the heart of Paris, and guess what? Ballet was front and center!
Imagine it! *Opera Garnier, *one of the most breathtakingly beautiful theatres ever constructed, transformed into a majestic stage for some of the most influential ballet companies of the era. And wouldnāt you know it, it's bursting with the most glorious tutues! Imagine a shimmering landscape of delicate tulle and exquisite lace, designed by the most skilled ateliers in Paris. You canāt just simply not feel like youāre surrounded by pure elegance.
The Great Tutus of the 19th Century:
Now, we all know the classic romantic tutus. They're still the staples of our ballet classes today, arenāt they? You simply canāt have a proper tutu Tuesday without talking about them, darling! These iconic tutus are all thanks to Marie Taglioni, the first prima ballerina assoluta and quite the style icon in her day! In 1832, Marie shocked audiences with her airy performance of āLa Sylphide,ā wearing a revolutionary, knee-length, feathered tutu which redefined the stage.
And thank goodness she did!
Prior to Marieās revolutionary steps, ballerinas performed in bulky, elaborate gowns, restrictive corsets and hefty headdresses. We're talking full skirts, not airy wisps of fabric! This wasnāt conducive to graceful movements! I wouldnāt even dream of attempting a pirouette in that thing! Let's be honest, dear readers, even dancing at the ballroom would be quite a feat.
Now imagine these beautiful creations with an extra layer of sparkle! Oh my darlings! Thatās what Iāve found here in Paris in 1867. The most dazzling of sequins and beads adorned those tutus, taking these intricate gowns to the next level of theatrical splendour. Just like adding a sprinkling of stardust!
And as a true lover of all things sparkly my heart practically leaps for joy as I envision these breathtaking performances! But not only are the tutus fabulous, they tell a story, they reveal emotion, and they add life to the dance itself!
Picture it! The iconic āGiselleā ā the very first Giselle, which premiered right here in Paris in 1841. That glorious white tutu, so airy and fragile. It represents pure love, innocence, and even heartbreak! It's simply divine, isn't it? I practically shed a happy tear the first time I saw it on stage here in Paris. It's such an honor to witness the history Iām surrounded by here.
You see, darling, the tutus here in Paris tell the stories of the time. And my goodness, they're beautiful! Just like those lovely ladies here in their sweeping crinolines and elaborate hats, we can't forget our own story: our fashion history is something truly special, one worthy of every elegant, beautiful, and perfectly pink tutu!
Now, this is where my adventures diverge from the average traveler's experience, wouldnāt you agree? After all, it's not just the tutus here, or the dancing. I just love this vibrant mix of theatre and fashion that seems to permeate the entire city! It truly inspires my time-traveling wardrobe!
A Timeless Sense of Style
I've finally managed to secure the perfect* Parisian gown for myself, darling. Youāll die when I show it to you on the next #TutuTuesday, just wait!
In 1867, Paris truly embodies a timeless sense of style, don't you think? And in every single detail! A little historical shopping spree for a true tutu aficionado like myself is a necessity, my dear, a must-have! And as if a shopping spree wasn't exciting enough, I get to experience a proper French salon for my tea and biscuits all in pink in this exquisite, lavish hotel. Itās everything a pink tutu-wearing blogger dreams of!
But back to the real reason weāre here. Remember that magnificent Universal Exposition happening this month? They are celebrating all sorts of extraordinary achievements! I can hardly contain my excitement.
Oh! And speaking of magnificent events ... this year's Great Exhibition in Paris marks something truly extraordinary! Not just in fashion or the ballet, but in our shared world history. Can you guess what historic event took place earlier this month on the 2nd of January 1867?
Canada* gained independence from *Britain this month, creating a brand new country to share in all things tutu and style, which, as Iām sure youāll agree is truly a beautiful *achievement and one worth celebrating. This event marks the start of a brand new era for the world.
But let's rewind the clock to those magnificent tutues, shall we? In the heart of Parisian society, right here in the Opera Garnier, a grand and luxurious affair is planned for later this year - something extraordinary, that could possibly top even the Universal Exposition. You might already know what it is, darling!
The world's first performance of The Swan Lake, the most graceful and heart-wrenching ballet of all time! Isnāt that an occasion worthy of *at least five pink tutus?! *
Just wait until I see it, darlings. My travel schedule is getting quite the work out as I make time to fit in a few shows. After all, I need to have a balanced diet of tutus, travels and performances, because the best part of a ballet aficionado's journey isn't the destination, it's all the exciting, beautiful and dazzling moments that you experience on the way.
But you know the only thing that makes my journey complete, dear readers, is sharing these moments with all of you, through these #TutuTuesday blogs!
Until next week, darlings! Stay stylish and keep those tutus twirling! Remember, every day is a good day for pink and tutus!
With all my love,
Emma
