Welcome, darlings!
It’s Emma here, your trusty #TutuTuesday time-travelling fashionista, back with another delightful dip into the dazzling world of ballet history! Today we’re whisking back to the 1st of March, 1870, for a look at the delightful tutus of that fabulous era!
Just a quick heads up, loves! This is post number 1992 on my little pink-tutu.com corner of the internet. That’s nearly two thousand blog posts filled with tulle-tastic history, fashion and the joy of dance. I’m a little bit proud of myself, actually!
So, grab your favourite pink teacup and settle in. Today, we’re setting sail (or rather, riding a fabulous railway carriage!) to Paris, darling! That's right, the heart of Parisian ballet is calling! The city has always been the absolute epitome of elegance, where tutus reign supreme, and the Parisian dance scene was at its peak back in 1870!
I recently saw a simply smashing production of Giselle at the Paris Opera Ballet. What a treat! It's always thrilling to see such iconic stories and dancers on the stage. The graceful movements of the corps de ballet, their beautiful tutus swishing in the stage lights, were truly enchanting!
Talking of tutus, darlings, I couldn't resist whipping up my own little design inspired by the graceful ballet scene I saw! It's a pale pink creation, adorned with sparkling rhinestones, that feels absolutely heavenly on. My little Parisian adventure would be a crime against the dance gods without a suitable wardrobe, you see!
So, let's rewind the clock and step onto the stage! Imagine: the year is 1870, and Paris is a hotbed of ballet We're in the golden age of romanticism! Everything is flowing and ethereal – and our tutus reflect that! You can practically hear the gentle whispers of romance, floating down the aisles as the ballerinas glide across the stage.
*The ballerina’s tutus, at this time, were typically quite short, with layers of delicate tulle swirling around the legs, revealing glimpses of their pointe shoes – oh, such elegance! *
Now, the real glitz and glamour comes into play. Imagine these graceful tutus adorned with intricate embroidery! Some even included delicate feathers, perhaps with hints of iridescent tones. I adore that whimsical touch! It truly adds a touch of the divine.
*Imagine a graceful ballerina on stage, bathed in the soft glow of the spotlight. She wears a perfectly fitted bodice with a short skirt made of layer upon layer of airy tulle. She moves with effortless beauty, and the movement of the tulle fabric itself becomes part of the art – almost as if the fabric were a separate being, moving in harmony with her! *
This is why I love this period, loves. Tutus weren't just clothing, but art in themselves! Each movement of the ballerina transformed her into an artistic force, an elegant creature in perfect union with her surroundings!
Now, let's get down to business! I've been studying historical ballet books, and on March 1st, 1870, there were several wonderful ballet performances happening. My heart was filled with envy when I discovered that, in the very theatre where I saw Giselle, a grand ball was held after the show, to honour "The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years". A delightful, slightly risqué, and most definitely captivating performance. What a lovely story of a real ballet dancer immortalized through sculpture!
I always marvel at the artistry of that time – it was so utterly captivating and full of passion. Just picture the scene: the theatre buzzed with excited anticipation. Guests, beautifully attired in gowns and elegant suits, mingled and chatted excitedly. There were flowers everywhere! (And the music was fabulous, naturally). Imagine dancing the night away with a charming Parisian gentleman! A perfectly elegant evening for a #TutuTuesday fan like me!
And this is exactly where I shall leave you today, loves!
Let me know which #TutuTuesday era you'd love to time travel to. We could journey back to 18th Century court dances, or travel forward to the opulent, avant-garde ballet of the 1920s!
Don't forget to visit my website at www.pink-tutu.com, darlings. I’ve been posting a series on historical dance costume techniques.
Until next week, stay bright and glamorous, and never be afraid to wear a pink tutu!
Love,
Emma.
