#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1871-05-02

Hello my darling tutu lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another #TutuTuesday journey through time. I'm your resident time-traveling ballerina, Emma, ready to share another exciting bit of ballet history. This week, I'm hopping on my time machine to take us back to the 2nd of May, 1871! Now, this is a fascinating period, right at the cusp of some seriously groundbreaking changes in the world of ballet.

Before I dive in, let's do our usual Pink Tutu ritual! 🦩 Go grab your pink tutu and spin around your room! I dare you! 💖 Okay, now we're feeling that magical tutu energy, let's go!

This week, we're setting our sights on Paris – the epicentre of ballet and fashion. It was, and still is, such an incredible hub for artistic and creative energy! Think Parisian cafes buzzing with writers and artists, the beautiful architecture and, of course, those fabulous French ballerinas, sweeping across the stage in breathtakingly elegant costumes. The world of fashion was changing in this period. Women were increasingly moving towards skirts and gowns with fuller, flowing silhouettes, embracing more feminine forms. It was like the ballet and fashion worlds were doing a beautiful waltz together!

Speaking of the world of fashion and ballet, can we just gush over the evolution of ballet tutus?! This year in particular, they started to become a true masterpiece of form and structure. It wasn't just about being practical and comfortable anymore! Ballet designers began focusing on emphasizing the line of the dancer's body and creating this flowing, dramatic aesthetic. They experimented with the fabrics, the length, the shapes, and even the colors, resulting in increasingly ethereal, enchanting costumes! And this change had a HUGE impact on the future of ballet!

You might be thinking, Emma, why are the tutus so important? Well, think of it this way, darlings: They are more than just pretty garments! They are visual metaphors. They help the audience see the dancer's movements with more clarity and they add an element of magic, an almost otherworldly feeling. They are, in essence, a canvas that lets the ballet stories come to life in a truly captivating way.

Now, back to that Paris of 1871! In this city, ballet was truly part of everyday life! It wasn't just for the elite, even the everyday people went to the opera houses to see these grand shows! Can you imagine! The thrill, the drama!

One thing we don't have time for in 2023 – those massive ballgowns, darling! In 1871, ballgowns were all the rage! And, oh my goodness, did they ever take up space in those theatres! We were so used to this grandeur, it felt normal to struggle into those carriages and maneuver those huge gowns in the crowded spaces of the theatre. The whole experience, from the theatre architecture to the opulent outfits, contributed to this grand performance. The people really embraced the art, and I imagine it gave such a feeling of community.

Oh! And the theatres themselves! We were living in a period where some of the most gorgeous opera houses, like the Palais Garnier, were built! You couldn’t walk into the foyer of a theatre without being completely mesmerised! The sheer craftsmanship and ornate details just took your breath away.

Let’s see…what else happened in this whirlwind year? The Paris Commune was in full swing – a period of great social upheaval and change in French society. The air was filled with political tension, but we still had the arts. People still gathered in theatres for performances and to forget about their troubles for a few hours.

You know what else is interesting? During this time, the technology around ballet was rapidly developing. They were working on some ingenious methods to stage the performances. And the costumes, oh my! We were entering the era of more extravagant designs and technical methods. Imagine those elaborate costumes and all the behind-the-scenes ingenuity. That’s some serious tutu technology!

## Emma’s Time Traveling Tip

Now, my dearest tututistas, there's one big lesson to take from this time travel expedition:

Don’t forget the magic, the joy, and the wonder that these grand costumes evoke. Every time we put on a tutu, we're stepping into something truly special!

Until next #TutuTuesday, stay magical and remember, a pink tutu a day keeps the boring away! 💖

Emma signing off, xo

*P.S. Don’t forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com and follow us on social media for more tutu adventures! *

P.P.S I fund my time travel journeys with my fabulous ballet performances! You can catch me dancing at [Your favorite theatre] or check out my upcoming show dates online! I'll be wearing a fabulous pink tutu! And don’t forget – always embrace your inner ballerina. 💃