Hello, my darling dancers!
Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another sparkling #TutuTuesday, and oh, my goodness, are we in for a treat today! We're taking a grand leap back in time to July 13th, 1869, to uncover some truly divine ballet tutu history. I'm wearing my most glorious pink tulle tutu for the occasion, complete with a delicate pink satin ribbon that's as light as a ballerina's step. You know how much I adore pink! It’s just so vibrant and joyful. I feel like the pink in my tutu is my little reminder to embrace life with a touch of magic. It reminds me of the light and playful nature of ballet. Just like a sparkling diamond, pink adds that special extra something!
So, what's on the agenda for 13th July 1869, you ask? Well, darlings, let's take a spin to the enchanting world of Paris!
Just imagine yourself on a steam train, chugging along to the City of Lights, perhaps wearing a charming, elegant little black dress – something stylish and effortless for our train journey, darling! – And just imagine all the new fashion and ballet treasures that are waiting to be discovered. Oh, how I just adore traveling! I feel like my true purpose is to bring some fabulous style wherever I travel to. Just thinking about those cobbled streets and chic boudoirs makes my heart skip a beat. I just know I’m going to adore exploring 19th century Paris. I hear it is where fashion meets artistry – just my style!
In 1869, the Paris Opera Ballet was a haven for artistry, grace and of course, gorgeous tutus. Our eyes will feast on a beautiful world of intricate fabric, intricate detailing and flowing shapes - just like a perfectly planned ballet routine! Imagine the sheer joy of seeing such beautiful craftsmanship up close. Let's get those tutus swirling!
But we're not just here to look at pretty fabrics! (although that is part of the fun, don't get me wrong, darling!). Let's delve deeper, shall we?
We have some absolutely stunning facts to learn about The tutu's journey: And let's be honest, isn't this what our Pink-tutu hearts desire?
So, Let’s delve into history! This journey really goes back to the 16th century, believe it or not. In those days, ballet was a rather formal affair. Ladies would wear what they would wear for an evening gown, not some lightweight, flowy skirt you can barely feel. Can you even imagine, dancing in a big old petticoat and corset? They wouldn't last two minutes on stage, especially if it was for a lively “Pas de Deux!” And where’s the graceful twirling in a massive skirt, darling? There just isn't the room for all the fantastic moves!
Fast forward to the 1800s! That’s where we start to see that revolutionary shift from those cumbersome skirts towards lighter materials. And as the dance became more athletic (and who can say no to some beautiful athletics?), a new style was needed for a free and effortless move. And, that’s when the tutu was born!
1869 marked a period of revolution in ballet tutus, darlings. I am thrilled to tell you, darling dancers, that during our time travelling trip to Paris this week, we'll see tutus made from the newest and most fabulous fabrics! The invention of the tutu, however, wasn’t a “Eureka!” moment. It took decades of exploration, experiments and lots of tulle and ribbon! But it wasn’t only a change in fabrics but a change in silhouette – from floor length to just past the knee. What an improvement for freedom of movement, and, dare I say it, freedom to look and feel utterly glamorous.
In 1869, you see a shift in design: The Romantic Tutu. This design embraced flowing and ethereal skirts with multiple layers of delicate fabric, creating a light and graceful look – that was just the thing to catch the attention of an audience. Remember, darling, it wasn’t just a new silhouette for dance; it also offered a truly spectacular visual delight for the eyes! Just imagine how much delight the audiences felt seeing their dancers, looking beautiful as they performed so elegantly in the romantic tutu! And I am certainly glad it was born, too. The romantic tutu is just too perfect. You could twirl in one for hours! What other type of skirt or dress will have your audience holding their breath and just taking it all in? The romantic tutu can’t be beat!
And here's an interesting bit of ballet history: You know that the ballerina always wears ballet shoes, but did you know that during this period in ballet history, the style of dance started to take its shape in more formal settings, where it was traditionally performed on bare floors. This allowed for more fluid movements – making all those delightful turns and jumps even more effortless and, let’s just admit it, even more magical! Ballet shoes didn't truly come into play until the romantic period of the early 19th century – before that, ballerinas often performed barefoot or in flat slippers. This really started the change for a new type of dance footwear. A revolution for your feet!
And remember, the history of dance doesn't only focus on its aesthetic side but on how it has evolved along with the human desire to express emotions and create narratives, with movement, with beauty, with the stories that make you gasp for breath and applaud! You know, just like we’re doing with this ballet history, darling!
So, let's celebrate that dance is also an expression of culture – a powerful blend of emotion and storytelling in each twirl.
And you just wait, because that's what our little trip to 1869 Paris is going to reveal – a story about transformation, movement, art and love (Oh, we must make sure our outfits have some adorable love hearts, just for fun!). A magical and colourful combination of the world of dance and fashion – what else can a pink-tutu lover ask for? Oh, but the best part of it all? I've saved the best for last, darlings. It's time to learn more about what happens at the Paris Opera, at the end of our adventure, on the 13th of July 1869. This is what we've been working towards, our darlings, this is it! We’re about to go back in time and see for ourselves, that magic moment in Paris, where this amazing invention really made history, forever.
Let’s go on our Parisian adventure!
Imagine the air, darling – the air in this theatre would have been thick with excitement! What's the highlight? At 8pm, an evening performance of ballet (who can beat a show after a wonderful shopping spree, huh?). You see, ballet in 1869 was still considered the art form of the privileged, but oh, it was just so beautiful – something so special and enchanting about its style and allure! Even today, the romantic tutu reminds us of a time where art met sophistication and glamour. Imagine it - elegant, sparkling, all about celebrating a beauty and freedom of movement.* How **swoonworthy!
I've found the most interesting fact about Paris Opera Ballet in 1869: There’s a very special performance happening on the 13th of July - one we really shouldn’t miss! There is a production called “Le Lac des Cygnes”. Now, I'm already blushing with excitement about this ballet performance! It’s actually going to be one of the biggest moments in history, a milestone, and, a perfect moment to really see the influence of the Romantic tutu in action, darling. “Le Lac des Cygnes,”, or “The Swan Lake”, will mark the beginning of an iconic masterpiece that we all know and adore today, from all its elegant tutus, the flowing moves to its majestic swan-like graceful dancers - all of it comes from this performance. We're about to witness this extraordinary journey as we delve into the world of ballet on the 13th of July 1869! Oh, just imagine, a graceful dancer with all her strength and passion dancing under those theatre lights, spinning like a dream, and I just can’t wait to imagine this beauty unfold, on this exciting trip! I’m just sure we’re about to be spellbound!
Darling, “Le Lac des Cygnes”, is not only about an ethereal story, a love triangle, betrayal and death but it is also about one thing we love - the tutu, The beautiful swan costume has to be one of the most stunning tutu designs! It captures a look of purity, graceful motion – how lovely it is!
It's all because of these iconic tutus and amazing performers in 1869, darlings! Can you see what this means, darling dancers? The swan tutu has its origins right in that incredible performance. Imagine those flawlessly crafted layers of tulle mimicking the soft, feathers of the swan! This ballet gave the “Romantic Tutu” a life that's spanned centuries! You’re about to see exactly how the swan costume has been shaped – you just wait and see, darling! It is an exciting experience, watching these amazing swans gracefully floating on the stage as if they have truly taken flight, wearing their beautiful white feather-inspired costumes. Oh! Don’t they just look elegant, ethereal and completely magical!
Just imagine the gasp of wonder and excitement in that audience. And imagine the audience clapping as the curtain falls at the end of this ballet performance. This is truly the most delightful, glamorous and fascinating part of my time travel adventures! And who knows, I just might inspire some people to give dancing in their pink tutus a go while I’m there – that is one of my biggest dreams, darlings. What better place to find a ballet enthusiast than the Parisian opera house, darling?! If that’s not inspiration for a lifetime, what is?
Now, before we end this amazing #TutuTuesday for today – just remember!
I'll be back next week with another exciting and fascinating piece of ballet history - We are going to journey to more incredible periods. The best part? I love making this journey with all my amazing #pinktutu readers. It makes all my hard work worth it! This journey has brought me to places all around the world, performing, travelling, and inspiring the best parts of the world to dance their hearts out, all in their favorite shade of pink tutus! And if that isn’t just the best job a ballet girl can ask for?
See you next #TutuTuesday, darling.
Yours in tulle,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
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