Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back to a glorious time in dance history: March 31st, 1868! Now, hold onto your bonnets because this Tuesday is a doozy.
As you know, my #TutuTuesday adventures often involve hopping aboard the wonderful world of the train, but today, we're staying put. I'm nestled in the charming city of Paris, the epicentre of all things fabulous. (I know, I know - tutus aren't yet as popular here as they will be, but we're all about building the tutu movement, right?)
March 31st, 1868, was a Tuesday - naturally, it was a brilliant day to enjoy a ballet!
At the esteemed Paris Opera House, a mesmerising production of "La Source" by Léo Delibes graced the stage. Imagine, the music so breathtaking, the dancers gliding in their gorgeous costumes (even if the tutus weren't quite the fluffy beauties they are today). You could just feel the magic in the air, the theatre alive with excitement.
It was at a show like this one that the foundations for what we know today as "classical ballet" were laid. Even back then, the story, the choreography, and the emotion - it was all so important to bring that captivating spirit of dance to life!
Speaking of stories and spirit, can you believe it's been just over a decade since the first ballet tutu, as we know it, appeared? Imagine that - 1858 was a landmark year! I love imagining how exciting it must have been for dancers then, getting to move with the airy freedom of those early tutus, the billowing layers making every step a work of art.
But don't worry my lovely lot, tutus weren't the only thing making waves back in 1868! Fashion was undergoing a revolution. Paris was buzzing with ideas, the streets overflowing with stylish women, their waists nipped in and skirts billowing outwards, a graceful contrast to the stiff gowns of past generations. It was all about elegance, a theme that resonates even today. And let's not forget the importance of hats!
Personally, my favourite style for March 1868 was the bonnet. A simple design, elegant and timeless, but what truly sets it apart was the beautiful silk ribbon, trailing with such grace behind the wearer. I'm imagining a lovely pale blue with a sprig of pink flowers pinned on the side – simply charming, don't you think?
And here’s a little something to spark your creativity: Did you know that on this very day, March 31st, 1868, a Parisian fashion house, renowned for its exquisite millinery, held its inaugural haute couture showcase? It’s all about the evolution, my dear friends, and fashion, just like dance, is a constantly evolving masterpiece. It's about expression, it's about making a statement, and, of course, it's about the tutus!
So, while tutus in the 1860s might have been a bit more simple compared to the fluffy marvels we see today, remember this: *they represented a vision, a dream of effortless movement and beauty, a timeless connection with artistry. * That’s the spirit of ballet, and the spirit of fashion that we carry in our hearts – whether you are waltzing on stage in a full tulle creation or just rocking your own pink tutu on the streets.
Don’t forget to tell me what you're wearing, darlings! I love to hear from you! And keep a watchful eye on the skies – maybe you'll spot me zipping by, twirling and making the most of this wondrous time-traveling life! Until next #TutuTuesday, may your tutus always be twirling, your smiles be wide, and your dreams always soaring high!
XOXO, Emma 🌸🩰
About Emma:
Emma, a passionate ballerina from Derbyshire, England, found her life's mission: to make the world a pinker, fluffier place one tutu at a time! Her blog, www.pink-tutu.com, is a weekly dose of delightful history, fashion inspiration, and ballet bliss, all spun together with her vibrant personality. While she dreams of gracing the world's most renowned stages, her love of dance and the beautiful, intricate details of fashion propel her across time and across continents. Follow her exciting adventures through her captivating #TutuTuesday blog posts - each Tuesday, a new destination, a new story to unfold!
