Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu clad time travelling ballerina! This week, my journey through time has brought me to the 17th September, 1872. Oh, what a day!
We're in Paris, darlings, the beating heart of fashion and, naturally, of ballet. The City of Lights sparkles, brimming with energy and excitement. I'm whisked away to the grand Opéra Garnier, my darling tutu practically floating on the scent of perfume and excitement, a perfectly fitting dress for the era. Imagine, a tutu, not even on a dancer! Oh, to have seen a glimpse of that back home in Derbyshire!
The Garnier Opera is a grand, grand palace - all intricate chandeliers, marble, velvet, and swirling gilded patterns, and oh, that wonderful gilded ceiling - truly fit for a queen.
Let's have a peek back into the past and explore how the tutu of this time period might have changed. Now, you know I absolutely adore the full, fluffy tutus - like meringue clouds of joy! But in 1872, things were quite a bit different.
We see those delightful bell-shaped tutus, or, if we're talking about the "female" figure, those with long, flowing and slightly draped skirts which moved as the ballet progressed.
Oh, but how do you think our dancers felt dancing in that volume of material?! And remember, back then, those skirts were likely to be heavy, crafted of fine silk, satin, and brocade, so luxurious but oh, how stiff they must have felt. A whole team of dressmakers and seamstresses worked wonders with delicate hand stitches to create each delicate movement - pure magic. And the embroidery on the dresses? Stunning. This is where those lacey ruffles started to come in - the beginning of what we see now in modern ballet - but still not that meringue tutu - although I'm hoping one day... I might even give the dressmakers a few tips for our time-travel dance group - can you imagine?! Imagine dancing in a historical dance show! Oh, I must return with this wonderful idea and set up some rehearsals - if you want a truly delightful ballet class and show, it's the place to be!
I had a fascinating visit with one of the talented seamstresses at the Opera, a wonderfully warm and clever woman called Jeanne.
She told me how tutus at this time would typically include some delicate silk under-layers. Imagine that, those under-layers - for just that bit more lift and grace in movement. And if you really wanted to stand out - you could go all out with a tutu made with a luxurious layered petticoat, each one more stunning than the last - think tiers of lace and ribbons with sparkling beading on a silk base.
Oh, the effort it would have taken to perfectly match the colour shades across those layers! Truly, there's an artistry in each delicate element of the tutu - an ode to the ballet dancer's craft.
But how does all this relate to the date? Well, darlings, on this date in 1872, the world was swept off its feet by the ballet premiere of "Le Corsaire", which means "The Corsair", in its Paris iteration - this had some new ballet choreography for us to get excited about! Can you imagine watching something brand new?! That's how excited everyone is on this very date in time. I believe it features a powerful male character - we’ll discuss more of that another time.
And for a bit more fun, darlings, on this date in 1872, the world saw the publication of an absolutely fascinating scientific work by Louis Pasteur. Can you believe this revolutionary thinker also took to writing a book entitled "Etudes sur la Biere"? It brought to light an innovative approach to beer brewing - science and beer – a wonderful combination! Perhaps we should try that in Derbyshire, just make sure it has lots of pink in it.
While the stage of the Opera was buzzing with "Le Corsaire" (which even includes some "Turkish" flair for this time - maybe they wear those fabulous, flowing trousers?!), over in London, it was Shakespeare on the stage at the Drury Lane Theatre. Talk about contrasting tastes and theatrical preferences.
To return to our pink tulle, oh my dear darlings! Back at this time, those lovely pink shades might have not been seen quite as readily as today. We had wonderful, pale shades of pinks in the fashion scene of 1872. But can you imagine a pink tutu shimmering under the stage lights of Paris Opera?! A spectacle! Well, at least this will be one more mission for our "Pink Tutu Time Travellers"!
So, as we step back onto the Parisian streets - which are quite cobbled and possibly a little muddy - and take a little train journey back to the present day - perhaps I'll give it a little go! And, when I return to our time, remember - it's time to let your pink tutu flags fly! Spread the love for the pink and fabulous, you all have a duty!
Love,
Emma.
(P.S. Remember, darlings, to follow my "Pink Tutu" journey - sign up for your email alert on www.pink-tutu.com, every Tuesday, it's #TutuTuesday for all my fantastic readers!)
