Welcome back, lovelies, to another delightful delve into the fascinating world of the tutu! Itās your darling Emma here, ready to whisk you back in time with my trusty time-travelling travel pass and my beloved pink tulle (did you see my new one? The frills are heavenly!). Today weāre setting our sights on a momentous date, June 9th, 1868 ā prepare for some sensational discoveries, darling!
Before we hop aboard the time machine, this is post #1902, for those of you following my Ballet Tutu History blog each Tuesday on www.pink-tutu.com! Be sure to subscribe for all the latest tutus and all things fabulous! It's an absolute joy to have you here, my dears!
Now, as ever, I simply adore traveling through the annals of history, observing how fashion has changed over the years! But wouldnāt you know it, just like a beautiful ballerina, history always manages to surprise! Today's date marks a day of thrilling happenings!
A Parisian Dream
The first stop on our journey lands us smack-dab in the heart of Paris, where the enchanting world of ballet continues to thrive! Oh, Paris, how I love you! From the cobbled streets lined with enchanting boutiques to the bustling theatres filled with such elegant crowds! The French, you see, have such a love for beauty, they truly understand the allure of the graceful and delicate silhouette of the tutu. It's not a mere garment to them; it's a work of art, embodying the spirit of dance itself!
Speaking of theatre, imagine our excitement when we discover the Theatre du ChĆ¢telet is hosting an enthralling ballet performance, showcasing a truly iconic figure in the world of ballet - none other than the graceful Louise Fiocre! My heart soared!
And wouldn't you know it, this was the night ā the very evening that the world first caught a glimpse of a beautiful ballet that became an absolute icon - the ballet "Giselle", performed by none other than the incredible Carlotta Grisi.
Isnāt that thrilling, darlings? It's hard to believe, but just a century and a half ago, Giselle was taking the world by storm. Imagine the enchantment! Those billowing skirts, those enchanting stories... Ah, mon chĆ©ri! It truly stirs my soul!
Whimsy & Glamour on the Rails
From Paris, we whisk away to London - now this is where the true fun begins, my dears! The fashion of London in the Victorian era was simply breathtaking - opulent fabrics, exquisitely detailed silhouettes, a world of colour! And oh, the elegance!
But to get to London, wouldn't you know it, we take the train, which just happens to be one of my favourite modes of transportation! As my darling grandmother would always say, 'A journey's as important as the destination, dear!'
You just can't beat the delightful bustle and grandeur of the railways, darling! Picture it ā carriages adorned with sumptuous velvet upholstery and grand, lace-trimmed windows offering breathtaking vistas. There's something undeniably enchanting about journeying on the tracks, the steady rhythm, the gentle swaying motionā¦ almost like a waltz!
Of course, a train journey would be utterly incomplete without my signature pink tulle dress. It's the perfect way to bring a splash of divine femininity to this otherwise serious Victorian world, my dears!
Fashion's Exquisite Tapestry
Weāve arrived, darlings, and itās time for a shopping spree, oh the delight! Whatās most exciting about this time period, it's how utterly captivating clothing can be. The exquisite embroidery, the playful frills and lace, all of it! You can truly tell how much craftsmanship and artistry went into each garment. And you can absolutely bet that these beauties, they donāt just make a splash, they make a grand entrance.
We venture to a shop called The Great Universal Emporium to get our eyes on the most sumptuous garments. In the window display we discover a delightful creation, one that will absolutely transport your wardrobe from mundane to marvelous!
This " Watteau Dress " is the epitome of grace and elegance, with its romantic flowy sleeves and that stunning, full back skirt. You'll notice that, just like our adored tutus, these gowns are a perfect example of fashion mirroring the graceful artistry of dance - think flowing movement, fluid shapes, a delicate touch - isnāt it marvelous, darling?
But Hold Onto Your Tutus, My Darlings!
While we're admiring the beautiful garments of the time, I do want to pause for a moment and address something rather importantā¦ a word of warning, darlings: donāt be fooled by the seemingly dainty silhouettes of the Victorian Era! The world of fashion is all about embracing *playfulness and experimentation, my dears, so don't be shy to express yourself!* Itās about finding the right mix of boldness and grace ā just like a ballerina finding her rhythm, wouldn't you say?
So there you have it, darlings, our thrilling time-traveling expedition through the month of June in the year 1868! I'm utterly thrilled with our discovery of the iconic ballet Giselle and those magnificent watteau gowns that have left me utterly captivated!
Itās just as the grand dames of ballet would always say, āDarling, let the world be your stage and your tutu, your shimmering spotlight.ā Remember, the art of dressing well and being fabulously stylish has no boundaries! So don't be afraid to put on your most delightful outfit and shimmy your way through the day - because you, dear friends, deserve to feel glamorous at all times!
Thatās it, darling! Stay tuned for more tutu-tastic historical explorations and remember, until next timeā¦ may your tutus always be pink, your dance steps elegant, and your adventures spectacularly beautiful! šš©°
