Greetings, my darling dears! Emma here, your ever-so-slightly pink-obsessed tutu enthusiast, back for another journey through the glorious world of ballet and, of course, the divine tutu! This week, we're taking a trip back in time, way back to July 1st, 1873! Buckle up your dancing shoes, my lovelies, it's about to get wonderfully whimsical.
As you know, I travel through time on a magical, twirling cloud of tulle, funded by the sheer joy of performing. But my absolute passion lies in bringing the magic of tutus to the world, one pink ruffle at a time.
And what better way to understand the evolution of these amazing creations than to see them in their natural habitat: the hallowed halls of the theatre.
1873 - What was going on in the world of ballet? Well, the year started with The Royal Italian Opera hosting a delightful revival of "Il Trovatore" featuring the beautiful ballerina, Emma Livry. Emma? Emma, did you hear that?! This is not a coincidence, my darlings! My spirit clearly runs through time, I tell you. Now, that aside, let's dive into the delightful ballet fashion of 1873.
Remember, dear readers, that tutus weren't quite the statement they are today. This was a time of elegant yet rather bulky, structured gowns, often in a vibrant selection of shades, reflecting the beauty and glamour of the era. The ladies were positively dazzling! And whilst tutus certainly made their debut, they were mainly for dancing en pointe, rather than the statement piece they are today. Imagine a ballerina spinning in a delightful cloud of tulle, her petticoats billowing behind her in a symphony of movement and grace! Oh, it makes me want to hop back in my time-traveling carriage, find a charming Parisian cafe, and admire the exquisite displays in shop windows! I can just picture myself gliding by, twirling my very own pink tulle dream while everyone gasps in admiration! Oh, the daydreams a girl can have!
Now, 1873 is rather a big year in the world of dancing. We see the first production of "La Bayadere" by Marius Petipa. Did you know? "La Bayadere" is an enduring ballet classic, the one you see the world over even today. With its story of forbidden love, betrayal and ultimately sacrifice, it features some truly mesmerizing choreography that is as enchanting today as it was back then!
However, what caught my eye were the outfits. Oh, those exquisite dresses in such vibrant, luscious colours - think deep velvety reds, and emerald green, accented with an array of jewels and fabrics that make a ballerina shine brighter than any stage spotlight!
What was fascinating for me in 1873 is that I could see how ballerinas started to break free from the cumbersome fabrics and long layers of their gowns. They started to experiment with the silhouette and cut of their dresses, opting for shorter and lighter attire, allowing greater freedom of movement on the stage! Ah, the delightful progress of dance!
Just a whisper to the wind! This freedom of movement allowed for more complex, dramatic, and breathtakingly beautiful dances - an artistic revolution I would be truly thrilled to see. It was in that spirit of progress that I started creating my signature tutus, my dear darlings, in all those heavenly shades of pink!
While ballet history often remembers grand steps and choreographed routines, it's vital to remember that it's the dedication of these women, their courage and daring creativity that continue to inspire each of us.
But that, my dear dears, is for another day. For now, we shall go for a spin! This Tuesday's dance floor is yours. Be sure to slip into something delightfully pink and graceful, channel your inner ballerina, and whirl through the week in true Tutu Tuesday style!
Oh, and while you're at it, share your dancefloor adventures on social media with #PinkTutu - after all, nothing says 'confidence and style' quite like a pink tulle masterpiece! Don't forget to subscribe to my blog and visit www.pink-tutu.com, and see you next Tuesday, dear darlings! Kisses!
Emma, the pink-tutu obsessed ballet lover.