Hiya darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another trip through the glorious history of the ballet tutu!
This week, we're taking a trip to the enchanting city of Paris, the heart of fashion and the birthplace of so many brilliant dance trends.
Oh la la, imagine! Can you believe that the date is January 4th, 1870? Fancy a trip to the Theatre des Champs-Elysees? It's such a treat to imagine the Parisian atmosphere on a night like this!
I just adore the whole elegant French style. Paris in the late 1860s was so buzzing! We've got this gorgeous waltz called the 'Blue Danube', just perfect for twirling, and the whole mood of this time feels just utterly romantic with all those delicate, ruffled gowns and the dreamy tunes of Chopin... just beautiful!
So, speaking of gowns and twirling, it's time to take a peek at the tutus of the day!
Back to the (Slightly Longer) Skirt
If you’re picturing our famous ballerina tutus – those short, wispy things – well, they weren’t around yet! In fact, in the 1870s, we’re talking about slightly more conservative attire! gasp! Don’t worry, we'll be getting to those short tutus in due time, darling!
Back in the late 1860s and the 1870s, tutus were still very much a variation of a woman's regular skirt. It was just a shorter skirt for dance, really! Just imagine a classic ballet skirt – that sort of style but still reaching your ankles, with layers of tulle. They might have some little pleats and the hint of a bell shape at the hemline, but oh, my dear, not the wild, floating twirls of a true tutu we know today!
You can even picture Marie Taglioni, who you've probably heard of (if you haven't, grab your tea, it's time to catch up on your history!) rocking the 'La Sylphide' choreography, all in her beautiful white tutu - and we’re talking long-ish white tulle, folks. Oh, she did move so beautifully! You know I'm going to have to put it on my itinerary to watch her! Oh, how wonderful to imagine her graceful dance moves! I can picture it so clearly, twirling under the bright chandelier at the theatre, making the entire audience gasp!
The Start of Ballet Revolution
Despite the tutus being more classic, the period was quite an exciting time! It was around this period that choreographers and dancers like Marius Petipa began taking centre stage (literally) to redefine ballet as we know it. Petipa, oh darling, he was a star, choreographing these big productions that just wowed audiences all across Europe. He wasn't just about ballet, though, oh no, this man embraced everything – even Italian comic operas! I mean, what's not to love about a good old comic opera, am I right?
All Aboard for Our Tutu Adventures!
So, my lovely Tutu Time Travelers! It's time to head back to our lovely English countryside (Derbyshire, you know, full of stunning views) – you've got your pink tutus, and you've packed your love for ballet, fashion, and everything fun. Just like the fashion scene, our journey is all about inspiration. Remember, you don’t need a time machine to feel the magic of a different era. You can find that magic everywhere – at your local theatre, on a street performer's corner, and, of course, whenever you wear your glorious pink tutu!
You know, this pink tutu feels especially pretty today, don't you think? It's that brightest shade of pink, just as exciting as a Paris Opera Ball – perfect for our trip through the history of the tutu! Until next Tuesday, my dears, stay chic, and happy twirling! Don’t forget to share your own tutu memories in the comments below, and I'll be looking forward to your adventures. Until then, keep that love for ballet burning strong!
Fashion MusingsOh, wouldn't you simply love a trip to a grand ball with all the ladies in those romantic gowns? Such a wonderful display of style! What’s exciting about this period is the beginning of a shift. Ballet is becoming grander, the stories in the dances becoming more intricate and beautiful – just like those intricate ruffled dresses, it seems!
I imagine that a tutu made from organza back then would be something utterly special! There’s a kind of lightness, an almost ethereal quality to those delicate fabrics! Think about that, a fabric almost floating as the dancers move – doesn’t that just sound magical?
And you can tell they're going all out on the fashion front, even with their ordinary clothes, with intricate beading and embellishments... imagine the detail on those corsets, they had to take hours to do up. No simple zip for those days, my dears, everything was made with love (and patience!).
I just love those beautiful Parisian colours too! The black lace, the beautiful velvet jackets worn over those gorgeous skirts... a beautiful combination of colours and materials. But honestly, don't get me started on the colours. Everything is just so vibrant, don't you think? Deep reds, sapphire blues, shimmering golds - all bursting with life and excitement! Theatrical but so very glamorous. What a dream it must have been to be walking the streets in Paris on an evening like this, darling!
Now, my dears, don’t let your creative spirit run dry. Think of all the inspiration you can find everywhere – the beautiful art of the late 1860s, the dramatic opera, and the blossoming fashion scene! Remember, ballet was about more than just dance; it was about capturing the whole mood, the soul of a period.
#TutuTuesday Travel NotesSpeaking of mood and inspiration, my favorite way to soak up that beautiful French mood is a little trip on the train! The train, oh my dears, it's just the most magical thing. Especially on one of those longer journeys, watching the countryside zip by! Those grand train stations, such magnificent examples of Victorian architecture, just exude an atmosphere that makes you feel like anything is possible. That sense of adventure, just like embarking on our little TutuTuesday travels, full of exciting stories!
As the carriage rolls along, I always bring along my book of ballet history - oh, the intriguing stories that emerge! I might even squeeze in some practice, just to feel the moves!
And, oh darling, it would be rude not to shop while I’m here! Shopping for a perfect new tutu, or perhaps a new book of French ballet dances... so, much to do, but nothing I wouldn't want to be doing! Imagine it all - the train journeys, the shows, and all the fashion - the whole world a stage, you could say, full of beautiful, inspirational, tutu-fied memories!
And that’s all for this week’s Tutu Tuesday! Until next week, keep dancing! And oh, don't forget to show off those pink tutus with pride, my dears! Think of how much we'll change the world, with a *touch of pink and a whole lot of twirling.*
