Greetings from your favourite pink-tutu clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma!
It's Tuesday, which means it's time to dive into another fascinating chapter of ballet history! I'm writing this from a rather plush Parisian hotel room, having just arrived via train from a simply divine performance in Berlin. The journey was just splendid - a first-class carriage all to myself! There's nothing like settling in for a long train trip with a good book, my sewing kit for last-minute tutu alterations (always prepared!) and a cuppa from the tea trolley. The train is truly a dancer's friend. You get to admire the countryside, plan your next fashion acquisition (more on that later!) and most importantly, rest your aching feet.
Speaking of feet... oh, where do I even begin with the ballet of 1868? Such a pivotal year for tutus! Now, my lovely readers, let's step back in time to the 26th of May, 1868, where we find ourselves in Paris. What a glamorous city! Imagine cobbled streets buzzing with horse-drawn carriages, bustling cafés, elegant shops displaying the finest fashion creations and - the theatres! Ah, Paris and her theatres, the perfect match. And speaking of theatre, did you know that on this very date, a Parisian theatre called the "Théâtre de l'Opéra Comique" premiered a beautiful new ballet? This is exciting stuff!
Now, this wasn't just any old ballet, no, this was something special! It was called "L'Etoile" and it introduced a fascinating character who is a staple of the ballet world today - a star! In the grand tradition of ballet, there was a romantic story woven in, with a handsome prince (naturally!) and the very famous "Star" dancer - all culminating in a grand finale, and a spectacular pink tutu, if you please! This pink tutu had everyone swooning! It was light and airy, made with layers and layers of soft, flowing tulle. Oh, it just looked like it would glide effortlessly across the stage! Talk about #tutugoals!
And as for Paris? The city is truly in its golden age of fashion. This is the time of couturiers like Worth and Charles Frederick Worth, he's practically the king of fashion right now. Everyone is buzzing about his gowns, hats and, you guessed it - *his tutus! * Imagine the joy of having such a legendary couturier design your costumes! The Parisienne women are always chic, always setting the trends, and their tutus? Well, those are a masterpiece, my darlings! We're talking silks, satins, and lots of feathers. But we'll discuss fashion in more detail later, in a separate post devoted entirely to this year's hottest fashion trends. Stay tuned!
So, there you have it! My friends, tutus in 1868 are making a statement. Pink tutus in Paris are in! You can just feel the exciting air, a sense of wonder, as the ballet world bursts with creativity. You can just imagine the whispers of "pink tulle" and "dreamy" in hushed tones between audience members.
I've simply got to go! I have a whole closet to unpack and new shops to explore here in Paris, not to mention I am dying to see this show and get my very own pink tulle. (Maybe I will get some and wear a tutu right here in my hotel room, no, no one can see me! Okay maybe!)
I leave you, my dearest readers, with the thought: What colour tutu will YOU be sporting this week? Let me know in the comments!
Stay pink and keep dancing!
Emma
P.S. You can find more amazing Tutu Tuesday content, historical fun facts, ballet inspiration and pink tutu shopping tips every Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com Remember to follow and subscribe so you don't miss a single post!
P.P.S. Don't forget to check out the latest trends and fashions in my new "Fashion Fantasies" series coming soon to pink-tutu.com. I am so excited!
