Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! I'm your fashionable, time-traveling friend, Emma, here to bring you a weekly dose of ballet tutu history! đ©°đ This week, weâre taking a train to Paris, to see what the Parisian ballerinas are up to on 29th July, 1873, in this exciting year of tutu transformations!
My darling, how do I even start to describe how magical this trip has been?! Firstly, the train journey from Derbyshire â a proper adventure, you see! Nothing like settling in for a leisurely carriage ride with a good book and, of course, my pink tutu, itâs the perfect traveling outfit, so much prettier and more comfortable than that horrid menâs trouser suit they all wear these days! đ Then Paris itselfâŠah! The fashion! The shopping! The Ballet! My heart just burst with delight!
Now, on this delightful July day, we're back at the OpĂ©ra de Paris. Itâs always a treat to experience the grandeur of this historic theatre, its plush red velvet seats, gilded decorations, and stunning stage that simply screams âextravaganza'!
Weâre here to see La Esmeralda, and oh darling, this is no ordinary ballet! We're talking about one of the most renowned, famous, and beautiful productions by Marius Petipa and Cesare Pugni, an absolute sensation! La Esmeralda tells the story of a gypsy girl accused of witchcraft and courted by PhĆbus, a knight of Notre-Dame. Itâs got tragedy, romance, and a beautiful dramatic finale. Just the kind of performance you simply have to see!
Iâve already found so much inspiration for my next pink tutu outfit for our upcoming performances back in London. You can always tell Paris has its finger on the pulse when it comes to fashion, and even more so when it comes to ballet fashion. It is certainly in the heart of the tutu!
Speaking of tutus, letâs dive a bit deeper into this lovely dance costume on this glorious #TutuTuesday.
1873 is an incredibly important year in the history of ballet. A whole new generation of dancers is stepping onto the scene, revolutionizing ballet! And the most thrilling thing is this new generation of dancers are absolutely obsessed with romantic dance and even more importantly â romantic costumes! Gone are the days of the old long-sleeved, floor-length skirt style. Itâs all about the tutus, ladies!
Oh, I tell you! These are bold new tutus, and the Parisian fashion has everyone in the world copying! Youâve never seen such intricate detail. Theyâre beautifully handcrafted, lightweight, airy, with layers of tulle! I tell you! They are simply magical! Think tiers of cascading fabric, intricate embroidery, and even a little shimmer and sparkle - perfect for capturing that magical and romantic ballet mood.
One of the reasons why the romantic ballet and its accompanying fashion gained such immense popularity is, well, for the love of life! The Romantic Era was about defying conventions, a desire for freedom and expressing oneself, and what better way to do so than by embracing these light and free-flowing tutus!
Now, you might be asking â why are they called "tutĂș" anyway? Well, dear readers, even I still don't know the exact origin! Some say it came from the French word "tulle," the material these fabulous tutus are made from, and âtutoâ for the tiny underskirt they were attached to in those old, longer days. Others insist that "tutu" originated from an alteration of the French word for âdress".
No matter what its origins, darling, I know one thing for sure: "tutu" is a perfect word for this delicate and elegant garment that encapsulates the spirit of ballet and fashion in all its glory.
Back in 1873, there are already lots of different types of tutus on stage, with each bringing its own magic! You see, darlings, my knowledge doesn't just stop at ballet shows - I travel around the world seeing them all! Hereâs what was already popular by this point in time:
The Romantic Tutu: I love this! The Romantic Tutu is a little looser at the top, more airy than its predecessors. Imagine it flowing freely around the waist and gradually becoming wider toward the bottom, the ultimate example of light and airy ballet design! The ideal dress to demonstrate those enchanting steps.
The Classic Tutu: Oh my! Itâs not as big or full as today's ballerinas wear - a bit shorter but just as graceful, itâs truly the hallmark of romanticism! A shorter length, delicate layering of tulle, itâs the ultimate silhouette for showcasing a ballerina's technique and elegance.
*The âPaganellaâ: * You can tell its Italian! Whatâs even better, Iâm told this one is made with four different tiers of silk or tulle that cascade all the way to the ground. A perfect dress for when those dancers want a touch of Italian romance and dramatic flair!
My, what a fashion era it was! The dance scene is constantly evolving! In London and Paris, it's all about tutus. You can find tutus on stage, at ballet shows, of course, but also popping up everywhere you turn in fashion! I canât wait to see what 1874 has to offer us all in terms of fashion, for this is one ride we are going to continue on!
For my fellow fashionistas, you've got to know that tutus are absolutely EVERYWHERE! Not just on ballerinas! Theyâve made their way into mainstream fashion â think parties, picnics, even parades â and the look is simply magnificent! So many fun and fancy colours to be found in Parisian boutiques, youâd think all the world is pink!
Well, Iâm so happy to see all my friends in the pink! Remember my lovely followers, my biggest desire is that you embrace the spirit of the tutus â a little touch of flair, grace, and a sprinkle of enchantment! Be bold, darling, let your own sparkle shine through!
Until next #TutuTuesday, stay fashionably fabulous, darling!
xx Emma
Emma's Fashion Picks this week!
Since we're celebrating all things ballet this #TutuTuesday, let's make our wardrobes a little more Parisian inspired!
Here are my favorite pink picks from my trip to Paris:
A beautiful rose-colored dress that could rival those beautiful Paganella tutus!
A silk scarf in a delicate pale pink to complement the floral decorations on your gowns.
Pink feathered fan: every true Parisian lady knows the perfect pink feathered fan is essential to every dance performance â and thatâs not just a rule at the opera!
Please let me know what youâd like to see more of in my #TutuTuesday posts! Please leave comments below! I always love to hear what you love!
