Welcome, dear readers, to another #TutuTuesday! Iām Emma, your pink-loving ballerina blogger, bringing you another fabulous journey into the history of tutus! š©°
This week weāre going all the way back to 7 April 1868 - just imagine, no phones, no internet, just beautiful ballets and magnificent trains! š Oh, how I wish I could take you all with me on this particular time travelling adventure, but alas, we'll have to settle for a lovely, vibrant journey through this post instead!
The Past, the Present and the Tutu!
So, we find ourselves in the grand and bustling heart of Paris, a city absolutely bursting with elegance, romance, and of course, ballet. This was the place, you see, where tutus were truly becoming the fashion sensation they are today. Weāre a little way before the days of Diaghilevās Ballets Russes, but you can already feel the shift towards what would soon be a completely new way of dressing for ballet, even for the men, think āLe Corsaireā costumes with the long gauzy pants! The ladies, of course, were positively luminous in their shimmering tulle skirts, the ātutuā as we now affectionately call it!
Now, as you can imagine, fashion in those days was just delightful. I can picture it so clearly; the ladies walking through the grand Parisian squares, sporting full skirts and those lovely, long gloves, with elaborate bonnets. Just charming! Even the gentlemen were perfectly dressed, with waistcoats, cravats, and of course, the perfectly matched top hat. Ah, those were the days, full of decorum and elegance.
A Peek Behind the Curtain
Of course, ballet is about much more than the fashion. You must imagine, those beautiful Parisian theatres with their richly decorated interiors, each scene a riot of colours, all built for those wonderful stage performances! Imagine the energy, the artistry, and the sheer passion pouring out of each and every move. Each dancer with a story to tell through their beautifully graceful movements! Ah, itās a true joy to witness and participate in. I can see myself whirling on the stage in a delicate, romantic tutu, feeling every heartbeat in time with the music, sharing the story of the ballet with the audience. Iām lost in the dream!
7 April 1868: A Date in Time
Back to 7th April, now. Sadly, nothing earth-shattering in the ballet world happened on this exact date, but I found out it was the day Marie Van Zandt (nĆ©e Marguerite-Louise Vanderveer), famous for being a dancer with the company āLa Grande Operaā, died, which made me wonder: How fascinating to travel in time and actually see those shows she must have graced. Oh! The costumes! It truly brings a ballet fan to life, wouldn't you agree?
And this, dear friends, is why I adore exploring the history of our beloved tutu. Itās more than just a garment; itās a story. A story woven into the tapestry of history, a testament to artistic expression, and a reminder of the beauty, grace, and magic of ballet. I'm so glad I got to share this adventure with you. And now, I must be off. A ballet performance is calling my name, I simply must go see āLa Sourceā in all its 1866 glory! Perhaps I'll meet some historical characters! Imagine!
Until next week, dear friends, stay fabulous, and don't forget: if you canāt dance in a tutu, well thenā¦youāre just not trying hard enough!
See you next week for another exciting #TutuTuesday, don't forget to head to www.pink-tutu.com for the full story and find your perfect pink tutu, for everyday fun!
Love,
Emma
P.S. My travels wouldnāt be possible without the thrill of the ballet. My love for the dance sustains me, keeps my passion burning. What else keeps your passions alight?
