Bonjour, darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveler, Emma, back again with another exciting foray into the fabulous history of ballet tutus! This week, we're hopping on the Orient Express, all the way back to 15th September 1868, for a peek at the era that truly put the “romantic” in “Romantic Ballet”! 🚂🌸
Now, as you all know, I'm utterly obsessed with all things tutus. They are, without a doubt, the ultimate expression of grace, femininity, and…well, pink! 🎀 But even I have to admit, our darling tutus haven't always been quite as extravagant as the frothy confectionaries we see today.
1868 was a particularly pivotal year for ballet history, a time when the ethereal lightness and emotion of Romanticism really began to take hold. Imagine graceful ballerinas flitting about the stage in diaphanous, airy skirts – it's almost impossible to resist falling head-over-heels for the captivating elegance of it all. 💫
Now, don't get me wrong, even before this time, dancers weren't wearing sackcloth and ashes, darling! But the evolution from those earlier styles to the ethereal ballet we know today? Oh, my! It was all about achieving a look that was airy, fluid, and positively dream-like.
Think delicate lace, delicate embroidery, and…oh, the fabrics! Organza, tulle, silk…the very names conjure up images of lightness and luxury. Gone were the heavy, cumbersome layers that once restricted dancers’ movements, and in their place arrived fabrics that flowed effortlessly with the grace and artistry of the ballet. 🩰
Back in 1868, the stars were certainly shining brightly in the Parisian theatre scene. Imagine: seeing the likes of the legendary Carlotta Grisi (I practically swooned when I saw her!) dancing her way through roles like “La Sylphide” in a dress so exquisitely fine you could practically see right through it! I mean, come on! That is pure, utter romance, isn’t it? 😍
It's worth noting, too, that 15th September 1868 also marked the opening night of the prestigious Paris Opera House. A grand event, don't you think? And if ever there was a time when elegance, glamour, and artistry reigned supreme, it was on that night in that theatre! 🎭
I couldn't resist popping into the grand salons, dressed to the nines in my signature pink tutu, naturally. And, oh my, darling, the Parisian ladies were a sight to behold! Fashion was all about billowing silhouettes, intricate trimmings, and – of course – glorious shades of pink! You couldn’t walk five steps without encountering someone clad in a beautifully embroidered satin gown with a fluffy pink feather boa!
I swear, it's like those women were auditioning for a spot on my own private, very pink ballet troupe. Imagine it, my darlings: the world’s most magnificent, all-pink ballerina corps de ballet! It's almost too much to imagine, isn’t it? 😉
But here's the real takeaway: even then, the very essence of a ballerina – grace, poise, artistry – was already there. These early styles set the stage (pardon the pun!) for the tutus we know and love today. From that airy, romantic aesthetic, it only made sense that our ballerina costumes became even more elaborate and breathtaking with time.
So, until next time, remember: don’t let the simple nature of the tutus of this time fool you, darlings! This era of elegant and ethereal ballets, was crucial to the evolution of this fabulous icon. Embrace the charm and elegance of the romantic era – you might even find yourself taking up ballet, inspired by those graceful ballerina beauties! 😉
Oh, and of course, wear pink! That is my only mandate – a world of pink tutus is a world of happy, lovely people! 💕
Love always, Emma 💕
