Hello darling readers, it's Emma here, and it's Tutu Tuesday! I'm in Paris right now, soaking up the energy of this magical city - I think every aspiring ballerina has to visit here! It's an explosion of tutus, dancing, and the kind of Parisian flair that makes me want to twirl all day long! Today, I'm taking you on a whirlwind of a trip back to the 1870s - the era that truly began shaping what we consider a classic ballet tutu.
A Peek Back in Time
Hold onto your tutus, darlings! Today's blog is about an era brimming with innovation and elegance - and you won't believe the stories I'm going to tell you! Think: the Romantic Period of ballet (and itâs quite the romance!). Ballet was taking the world by storm with en pointe dancing becoming increasingly popular. This era gave us the ballerinas whose names still grace dance schools everywhere. Like, Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Cerrito. They'd grace the stages with a kind of breathtaking femininity - oh, to be like them, you know? The tutu wasnât yet the iconic âshort and puffyâ look we know today, but its origins were there â in white, mind you! Imagine it! We're talking about an era where lightness and fluidity were everything.
1870: A Year of Change
It's no wonder 1870 was such an important year - gasp! Did you know that's when The Franco-Prussian War happened? While battles raged on land and sea, ballet continued its graceful revolution. A war was happening but the tutus were going from knee length down to just below the waist - how magnifique is that?! Just imagine the graceful movement and ethereal grace â truly the birth of the tutu as we know it. It was this period where it started being seen as an object of elegance and femininity, truly a magical symbol of the era!
Where The Magic Happens:
I must tell you about this glorious opera house in Paris â itâs the *Paris OpĂ©ra darling! (You *must see it for yourself if you get the chance.) The entire city pulsed with the heartbeats of the performers on that stage - they truly made the Paris OpĂ©ra what it is. The choreography, so elegant and daring â can you believe it? A symphony of movement, an orchestra of tulle! (Of course, my first visit was entirely devoted to acquiring a fabulous new tutu. What can I say? A girl has to!).
Back to our Tutus:
The tutus from the 1870s, darling, weren't exactly what we know today! But those wispy layers of tulle⊠how incredible! The ballerina wasn't hiding â she was a symbol of airiness, delicate grace, and beauty, a goddess of dance. This period saw the beginning of our beloved âpink tutuâ â a sweet pastel that speaks of romance and fairytale charm! And how I love it⊠and of course, it's something I've absolutely got to see, first hand! The sheer joy of these tutus⊠that's what gets me dancing!
From The Stage to My Wardrobe:
I was fortunate enough to find an original 1870s tutu at an auction - I simply had to add it to my collection! Itâs been completely restored, now soft and full â ah just what I dream of, you know? But here's the funny part: I've taken some inspiration and turned it into a modern, pink tutu â a tribute to this amazing era of romantic elegance and femininity! What else could a ballerina want?! This little masterpiece, so sweet and dainty, reminds me of that historical elegance and sets my dancing shoes on fire. It makes me twirl, dream, and oh, I do love those romantic, ruffled layers - blissful!
Oh, the Fashion!
Don't think ballet fashion just sits on the stage, darling! Those Victorian-era women were style icons! Think tight bodices, lavish ballgowns, and even an appearance of *white in clothing! And did I mention the hats?! Theyâd be wearing gorgeous feathered or flowery headwear (imagine the envy of our contemporary feathered fascinators! Of course, there was plenty of time to enjoy an afternoon at *The Galeries Lafayette or Le Bon MarchĂ©. Shopping in the 1870s was exquisite! Every lady worth her salt had to *spoil herself, darling!
Fashion and Ballet, Hand-in-Hand
That brings us to our final, exciting, piece! Ballet fashion became an inseparable part of Parisian life - even offstage. From exquisite lace gowns to elaborate accessories â what a treasure trove of fashion! These days, I find a whole new inspiration from this time: an air of classic romanticism and Victorian style. Just the thought of lace-up boots and soft fabrics, it is all too perfect!
And Thatâs It for This Week, Darlings!
Now, remember - you can share your love of tutus with the whole world by sharing this post! And if you want to see some spectacular tutus - maybe in your favorite shades of pink? (Oh, I'm not going to lie - my entire wardrobe is filled with them! Itâs hard not to indulge! haha!) You just have to check out pink-tutu.com. Oh, I just can't wait for you to discover some fabulous new tutus with me. Don't forget to #TutuTuesday for all your posts on pink, tutus, and this lovely history of the tutus themselves! Until next time, darlings!
