Hello, darlings! Itās Emma here, back again for another delightful journey through the wonderful world of ballet history and, of course, our beloved tutus! This week, weāre twirling back in time to 6th September 1870, where, as always, fashion and ballet are hand-in-hand. This post marks #2019 in my Pink-Tutu Ballet Tutu History Blog! I do love a good round number.
I recently travelled back to 1870s Paris, you see. Such an exciting time for fashion! Youāll all remember the Paris of the late 19th century, right? Oh, darling, imagine! The crinoline had just begun to fall away and bustle gowns, with their wide skirts, were in full swing! But we're here for ballet, so let's move our gaze from those street fashions to what was happening in the ballet world!
On this day, 6th September, in the world of ballet, there was, sadly, no premiere. Thatās the shame of travelling to a date when nothing really new happened for ballet, just business as usual. But never fear, I still discovered a whole treasure trove of delightful tidbits to tell you about!
For one, I was thrilled to see a performance of āLa Esmeraldaā. Oh, I simply adore that story! It's such a whirlwind of passionate love, betrayal, and ultimate tragic beauty.
But, for you lovely ladies and gents, the real draw, isnāt it? I mean, of course the stories are captivating, but the REAL magic, you see, is the TUTU! Now, in 1870, ballet was definitely leaning more toward the āRomanticā style ā all ethereal lightness and delicate grace. And in the Romantic ballet era, tutus? Oh darling, they were absolutely enchanting! Picture flowing, billowing layers of tulle that simply floated about the dancer, a veritable cloud of softness. Just as airy and magical as a delicate flower dancing on the wind! And imagine the color palettes! All soft pastel pinks, pale blues, and even a dash of sunshine yellow, perfect for evoking those Romantic era emotions! Oh, darling, to be a ballerina of that time, with those magnificent tutus and beautiful dance steps, such a dream! It truly was a period when a ballerina could almost seem like she was simply floating on stage.
The ballet world is full of delightful curiosities. Did you know that around this period, many people thought dancers were being trained from a very young age, from literally their toddler years? People couldnāt imagine that graceful movement just sprang up from somewhere ā a truly wonderful thought, although not quite accurate, unless youāre very, very fortunate to start early in your ballet life! Imagine! A whole community of young people dedicating their lives to the arts! They would begin as little ballerinas at maybe only 3 or 4, working so diligently every day until they graduated. Itās such a heartwarming and romantic notion, isnāt it? The devotion to artistry from such an early age! So delightful.
I, of course, adore seeing the classical tutu designs. Such wonderful traditions to follow. It always seems to be a ballet costume detail of note. Every dancer from then until now still wears that type of skirt - or that design in some form or another. It always looks incredibly graceful!
My travels are becoming increasingly exciting! The joy of time travel isnāt just in exploring history, but also seeing the future unfold, isnāt it? There was an excitement around these sorts of outfits because of what would happen just a few years later. Ballet in the future, starting in 1874 with Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lakeā, was to enter its golden age! Such excitement for dance!
But even as we move closer to that golden age, in these historical moments, donāt forget to celebrate the beauty of our tutus, my dears. Youāll never catch me leaving the house without my signature pink tutu - even in the time travel. As long as there are beautiful stories and graceful dance, I'll be here wearing my tutu, a tiny bit of dance history embodied, forever celebrating this remarkable art form.
Remember, my darlings, the true spirit of a ballet dancer shines brightest when it shines through you, through your spirit and style!
Until next week, keep those twirls fabulous and wear your tutu proudly. It's not just a garment; itās a feeling!
Until next Tuesday, darlings! And donāt forget, we are on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Youtube! @PinkTutu. You can even email us for bespoke tutu requests and design consultations at [pink-tutu.com/contact] (www.pink-tutu.com/contact)
Always wear pink!
Love,
Emma xx
