Hey darlings! It's your favourite tutu-loving time traveller, Emma, back with another edition of #TutuTuesday! 🚂 Today we're whizzing back in time to a very special year - 1871! Fancy joining me? It's going to be a right corker, trust me!
Now, 1871 was a truly magnificent year for the world of dance, my dears! Remember when I said last week (that's post #2068 on www.pink-tutu.com, by the way) that ballet was changing rapidly in the latter half of the 19th century? Well, 1871 really kicked things off!
From Puffy Skirts to Flowing Grace:
Firstly, tutus themselves! Oh, my loves, imagine a stage adorned with dancers sporting the full, multi-layered tutus that were all the rage back then! Picture fluffy clouds of tulle swirling about like heavenly delights. Talk about a showstopper! These early tutus, or ‘tutu à la française’ as they were known, were inspired by the voluminous skirts of the time. You might think that these voluminous skirts could get in the way, but they weren’t as cumbersome as you might think!
An Evening at the Opera:
Now, on this day - August 22nd, 1871 - wouldn't it be grand to waltz into a Parisian opera house, a symphony of elegance, dressed in my prettiest pink tutu? Just imagine the gaslight reflecting on the shimmering tulle as I settle in to watch a grand ballet performance. Imagine being surrounded by a sea of exquisite gowns, jewels, and feathered hats, it would truly be an enchanting spectacle. Think about the gasps of delight from the crowd as the ballet dancers perform with an elegance and grace you can't find anywhere else in the world.
And as I soak up the enchanting atmosphere, I’d think to myself, Just imagine, darling, I'm witnessing the very dawn of modern ballet! You see, this very day, the Opera House in Paris saw the world premier of Le Lac des cygnes (aka ‘Swan Lake’). 🦢
Let me tell you, my dears, Le Lac des cygnes changed everything. This was ballet as an art form, not just a frivolous social activity. You know, all the graceful swan moves, all the romantic storytelling - a true ballet revolution. Can you imagine seeing this piece for the first time? Pure magic, wouldn’t you say?
What to Wear - My Tutu Takes me on a Time Trip:
To celebrate my arrival back in the late Victorian era, you can bet I'd be slipping on my own delightful pink tutu - the perfect mix of classic grace and modern sparkle, right? It’s not a full multi-layered tutu, not like the ladies on stage! Nope, it’s a fun twirling, sparkling, slightly shorter version - perfect for shopping the Parisienne streets and maybe popping into an exciting Parisian patisserie for a macaron or two.
After all, there’s nothing quite like the sheer delight of strolling down the Parisian boulevards! So full of vibrant colours, fashion, and fascinating people. You never know what you might encounter. I think my pink tutu will stand out against the backdrop of beautiful Victorian dresses with their bustling lace and intricate trims, that every other fashionista will be rocking. Just picture it, darling!
You might even find a vintage pink tulle skirt to adorn your wardrobe – I have a feeling a little peek of tulle would be delightful even in the Victorian times.
A Journey of Grace and Elegance:
It truly is fascinating how our passion for ballet has changed over the centuries, from grand balls to world-famous ballets and our current day performances, it’s been a glorious journey of grace and elegance. You see, just like the ever-evolving styles of our tutus, the spirit of ballet has continued to flourish through different ages, all in its own elegant, exciting way.
As for me, I shall leave you all now, as I have a ballet performance to attend in Derbyshire (a rather fancy affair for charity - it's a right marvellous event, actually!) before I head back on another whirlwind adventure in the future. But before I go, don’t forget to come join me next week at www.pink-tutu.com to take a step into a different era. See you next #TutuTuesday, darlings!
Lots of love and twirls, Emma 💖🩰
