Welcome back to my darling readers, and a very happy #TutuTuesday to you all! I'm Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina! This week, I've hopped on the train (always first class, naturally, with the big, comfy seats, you know) and found myself in Paris, the absolute hub of fashion and ballet. I simply adore this city ā the cafes, the cobbled streets, and of course, the stunning ballet productions. But I'm not here for a Parisian fling today, oh no! Weāre delving back into the glorious history of the tutu! This week's #TutuTuesday is taking us back to 17th November 1868, just a few years before I was born in Derbyshire, England!
The 1860s: An era of elegance! As we continue our dance through history, letās put on our metaphorical pink dancing shoes and twirl back to 1868. This period is oh-so-interesting for us tutu fans! In this era, the tutu wasnāt quite the fluffy masterpiece we know and adore today. Think more of a classic Romantic ballet silhouette ā a layered, airy design. The skirt still flowed with movement, creating beautiful, swirling lines, but was far more delicate and lightweight than those big, poofy beauties that came later.
(Think a delicate, soft cloud, rather than a large, voluminous cotton candy swirl, just so you can get the picture!)
In the late 1860s, there was a change happening. There was a gradual shift in ballet choreography moving from more classical, storytelling pieces to an increased emphasis on beautiful movement and artistic expression. Can you imagine, ballet going beyond storytelling?! What a fantastic time to be alive for such evolution in this beautiful artform! This movement was absolutely tied to the fashion evolution of the tutu itself.
(Yes, darling, this tutu weāre all obsessing over has so much more depth and evolution than a simple frock, no?)
Of course, itās essential to mention one of the most notable ballerinas of this period, Maria Taglioni, known for her delicate grace and graceful dancing, a ballerina who wore the most charming of tutus. She is absolutely a star who influenced the look of the tutu forever, and whose legacy still lives on. She was truly the epitome of elegance and beauty, even in an age when those were truly appreciated as an art in their own right. And isnāt it wonderful to know how she helped influence such stunning sartorial moments on the stage?
But 1868 was more than just the peak of romanticism. A young ballerina named Anna Pavlova, considered the queen of ballets and known for her technical brilliance, was gaining recognition! Yes, she wasn't even born yet, but her iconic presence is proof that we're talking about a time where great ballerinas started showing up. And we know she would soon be leading the way, wearing the most beautiful of tutus to show off her incredible abilities. (As a fellow ballerina, I can only dream to dance as flawlessly as she did! I adore the history of ballet. Ballet is just amazing and it's a history that keeps on evolving - so wonderful! )
And on the 17th of November, 1868? Well, it seems we were in for a treat at the Paris Opera Ballet.
(This was the *ThĆ©Ć¢tre National de l'OpĆ©ra, and what an incredible stage. We could only dream of that place at the time!). *
You'll find in my historical records a performance of The Corsaire, a romantic ballet, full of dramatic adventure, which features an *adorable little fairy known as the Bride of the Isles. In ballet stories and history, the little Bride of the Isles was absolutely darling, a sweet character that even a tutu could embody beautifully, showing just how elegant and dreamy this time period could be. Can you imagine that character onstage in a sparkly pink tulle tutu? Such elegance!
(It's what all us Tutu Tuesdays dream about!)
But for our Tutu Tuesday, letās focus on this beautiful little costume detail: the ātutu Ć lāimpĆ©ratriceā, or ātutu of the empressā! I know it sounds royal, darling, because it truly was. The tutu Ć l'impĆ©ratrice had this exquisite detail of several delicate layers, which fell into graceful waves, echoing the opulent style of the court.
(How Iād love to wear a costume so splendid - and maybe it is just in my future, as a time traveler!)
If you ever want a visual, look for photographs or paintings from the 1860s! It is the perfect time for our *pink tutus! *
And donāt just imagine those grand ballet scenes. In those 1860s Paris streets, people wore stunningly ornate and elegant fashions, full of layers and flourishes. Just imagine our delicate tulle skirts adorning every lady on those cobbled streets. Imagine a sea of pink tutus in the cafes, shopping on the Rue de la Paix, perhaps even a Pink Tutu Parade winding through the Tuileries! Weāll get everyone into the pink tutu, darling, don't worry about that! Itās only a matter of time! It would make me so happy to see everyone twirling about.
**(Just maybe not at the opera...I wouldn't want to steal all the attention! Although, in a pink tutu, what chance would those prima donnas stand, my dear readers?)
Thatās all from my lovely Parisian travels this week. But don't forget to pop over to my Pink Tutu Blog on www.pink-tutu.com, every single Tuesday for a new installment! Itās the perfect dose of inspiration and elegance in your week, guaranteed! You never know, we might just be doing a live performance in one of these historical ballet haunts in the near future, maybe with that special "tutu Ć lāimpĆ©ratrice."
Until then, Happy Tutu Tuesdays, darlings! šš©°
