Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm thrilled to be whisked back in time again for another instalment of #TutuTuesday!
Today, we're travelling all the way back to 1874, a truly momentous year for ballet tutus and a time when fashion was reaching exciting new heights! Grab your favourite cuppa, settle into your comfy armchair, and join me as we embark on a captivating journey to the enchanting world of Victorian ballet!
Before we delve into the dazzling world of tutus in 1874, it's only proper to take a peek at where we are – oh my goodness! We've found ourselves right here in the heart of Paris, the world's beating heart of ballet!
I mean, who wouldn't want to travel in time to the Paris Opéra? The Opèra Garnier, to give it its proper title, was truly breathtaking in 1874! We're surrounded by history here. And talking about history, you’ve got to check out the building. Just picture it - magnificent, golden architecture, soaring ceilings, and a stage that whispers secrets from bygone eras. Just magical!
And what's a ballet in the heart of Paris without a little sartorial splendour, eh? We've arrived at a performance of one of Marius Petipa's most celebrated works. This genius of a choreographer - I can’t tell you how many times I've seen his work! You may recognise the name from other blog posts - well, he was the absolute star of ballet in this period, with some of the most iconic and inspiring pieces ever created. He literally was redefining ballet – and it's in the heart of this creative era that tutus are evolving in such exciting ways! I mean, these are the days of ballerinas pushing the boundaries and experimenting with a brand new wave of design that is truly magical. The ballet we are witnessing here today - it is nothing short of spectacular, a vision of lightness, grace, and ethereal beauty! And the ladies… well, they truly are something to behold. The dancers – oh! They are a sight to behold in their swirling, silken tutus! It's hard not to gasp!
I must tell you a little about the shape of these amazing tutus! 1874 marks the beginning of a new trend. This was the moment where those gorgeous fluffy, bouncy tutus we love today really began to take flight! Gone were the more streamlined styles of tutus we had seen earlier in the century! The ballerina in this performance, she was a dancer of exceptional skill and grace, and I can tell she needed an extra, fuller tutu. These were a must to achieve those thrilling soaring, expressive movements. The skirts themselves, oh, how delicate! Layers and layers of tulle, hand-stitched to perfection! They swirled around these ballerinas, catching the stage lights and creating magical, glittering, dreamy illusions! Simply enchanting!
Now, my fashion darlings, it's not all about ballet for me! I know the heart of Paris is about all things glamorous and trendy. I had a few moments between performances to slip away into the fashionable district for a little spree! The Parisian ladies, they were quite the fashionistas in 1874! Their dresses - full of luxurious fabrics, exquisite trimmings! Oh, how I simply adore vintage styles. Think high-collared blouses - a dash of lace, maybe a smattering of bows or ruffles here and there. Oh, the sparkly buttons, they’re so pretty! The silhouette - it's all about a nipped-in waist! It’s quite elegant and feminine - and perfect for a graceful stroll through the boulevards, or even a stop for tea at The Grand Hotel. Can you imagine tea there? I can only dream! And the most spectacular thing about all these incredible clothes and accessories, is that we can actually recreate this timeless elegance in our everyday wardrobes! Isn’t it amazing that even in our day, fashion still pulls inspiration from this very era!
Oh, what's that? Someone just called me – looks like our train has arrived!
Before we hop aboard our time-travelling chariot, remember: always make your tutu statement, dear darlings! You can find some really amazing designs for your next outing at www.pink-tutu.com Whether it's the graceful dance of ballet or the everyday ballet of your daily routine - make every step magical! Always be sure to dance with your heart and let your inner ballerina shine!
* Until next time, remember to keep on twirling!*
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #ballet #history #vintagefashion #Paris #balletfashion #timetravel #pinktutu
