Oh darlings! It's Tuesday again, and you know what that means...it's time for another fabulous #TutuTuesday post!
Today we're taking a trip back in time, to a rather delightful period indeed – May 26th, 1874! As always, I’m channeling my inner time-traveling ballerina (courtesy of my latest ballet-funded time-hopping escapade), and today, I’ve landed in the most glorious place you could imagine: Paris. Oh, Paris! Home to grand ballets, exquisite couture, and oh-so-charming boudoirs. It's like a ballet fan's paradise!
You simply cannot imagine how exciting it is to walk the Parisian streets! You feel it, the romance, the energy of creativity, the whisper of silk gowns as ladies go waltzing past, the click of fashionable boots on the pavement – it’s all so enchanting! And as usual, I’m all dressed up in my best pink tutu! I truly believe in the power of a good pink tutu – it inspires joy and grace, and it just screams ‘bonjour’ to every fashionista and ballet lover out there. It is truly divine!
Anyway, I must get back to the subject at hand, which, as you know, is ballet tutu history. So, dear readers, grab your favourite cuppa, settle down on a lovely armchair (preferably covered in frilly lace!), and let’s delve into this splendid time together, shall we?
1874: The Ballet World and the Rise of the Romantic TutuMay 26th, 1874, you say? Well, let me tell you, darling, 1874 was a splendid year for ballet, and fashion was having a most magical moment, too! Imagine tutus in a flurry of tulle and gauze, billowing around ballerina legs as they dance the night away.
The Romantic era in ballet was just hitting its stride. Think flowing, ethereal tutus and long, loose hair, all a far cry from the stiff and restrictive costumes of earlier times. Now, ballerinas were like whimsical fairies, dancing on air and capturing the heart of every viewer! The emphasis was on expressing beauty and emotion, and this style of ballet required new and more flexible costumes that allowed for graceful movements. It was a truly wonderful time to be a ballerina.
What made 1874 so significant, you might wonder? Well, in May of that year, at the Théâtre de l’Opéra de Paris, there was a beautiful, graceful ballet called ‘Coppélia’ by Léo Delibes, based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. If you haven’t seen it, darling, you must! It’s an enchanting piece with the most delightful score! Just the sight of the ballerinas swirling on stage, clad in their Romantic tutus, was a vision of loveliness. Imagine a beautiful ballet of wonder, music, and magic, all brought to life by ballerinas in their glorious, soft and delicate tutus – doesn’t that sound utterly charming? I think it’s absolutely captivating!
Oh, the magic of the Romantic ballet era! Can’t you just imagine yourself swept away in the romance?
### But what about the tutus themselves?
While 1874 did see a beautiful flowering of the Romantic tutu, let’s delve a bit further into their history, shall we?
Tutù, tutù – that lovely French word! But believe it or not, tutus have a longer and richer history than you might imagine! They weren’t always about wispy gauze and fluttering tulle, darling. It all started with…
Hold on, tea break time! I'm taking a quick detour to sip some rose tea and admire this breathtaking view. I shall return with more captivating tutu history, but I couldn't resist the chance to soak up this incredible atmosphere.
... To be continued!
Stay tuned for part two of my #TutuTuesday blog post! I’m just taking a brief moment to take in this lovely city and dream of twirling tutus – you see, a little bit of magic and grace are needed even on the most demanding day. I’ll be back with the rest of the *fabulously informative history of the tutu – including a surprising journey through the years! *
