Welcome back, my darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm positively thrilled to be bringing you another Tuesday instalment of our #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! It's post number 2255, and believe me, this is one you won't want to miss!
Today we're twirling back to 16th March 1875, and trust me, you'll be utterly enchanted by this little historical nugget!
I'm writing to you today from the very heart of ballet â Paris! You know I just adore a Parisian adventure. The air here is positively charged with artistry and elegance, and you simply can't escape the charm of the city's rich artistic heritage.
Right now I'm sitting at a darling little cafĂ© in the Latin Quarter, surrounded by chattering students and artists, and a symphony of Parisian life humming around me. They have the most wonderful pastries here â seriously, heavenly! Itâs practically a ballet of flavours â and what better fuel for a #TutuTuesday history session?
Now, you might be wondering, why this particular date in 1875, you ask? Well, my dearest lovelies, on this very day, a truly remarkable ballet premiered at the Opéra Garnier - "La Source" by Léo Delibes! Can you imagine?! It's said to be one of the first ballets to feature a pas de deux between a male and female dancer, just oozing romanticism and elegance. I hear it was so daring, it practically caused a stir in the Parisian social scene!
Of course, itâs impossible to speak of âLa Sourceâ without mentioning the absolutely delightful costumes! Now, my dears, I haven't seen these in person, but from all accounts they were practically the epitome of beauty â light, ethereal and simply enchanting! They even had little flowers woven into the tulle, which sounds just delightful. Can you picture it? Absolutely heavenly, just heavenly!
Speaking of delightful, can you believe how long ago we're talking here? This is around the same time as our Victorian period at home in Derbyshire. Think of those huge puffy skirts and the elegant silhouettes â but all the more fun in our little ballerina outfits! And wouldnât it have been grand to see these very same costumes on a grand stage, sparkling under the gaslight? I simply adore the way those historical dance styles flow â such graceful and expressive movements!
Now, this particular Parisian journey wouldnât be complete without a visit to some truly decadent boutiques - you just can't come to Paris and not explore its fabulous fashion scene, can you? The ladies here are truly a study in chic - they wear colours, they embrace their bodies with fitted silhouettes and those oh-so-enchanting hats! And I just have to mention â my dear little Parisian shoppers were sporting some seriously amazing feathered boas and capes, almost as though theyâre on their way to a glamorous masquerade ball!
The best bit about this, though, is that it was the Victorian period, and if we want to delve back into the evolution of our dearest tutus⊠drumroll âŠweâre heading towards a pretty crucial stage! Think layers upon layers of tulle, with an almost romantic, dreamy, fairytale-like effect. Pure perfection, wouldnât you say?
Speaking of my own fashion adventures⊠I have been simply obsessed with all things pink lately. Imagine a delicate rose-pink tutu with layers and layers of billowing tulle! Breathtaking. You can just see it, can't you? Twirling across the stage, light and graceful, in this dazzling ensemble â oh, to live that life! I would say, this is an era in fashion where pink truly makes its splash. It's so lovely to see this delicate colour embrace ballet â it just embodies all the grace, the beauty, and the sheer delight of our ballet universe. Itâs not about being delicate and precious - itâs a power colour! A pink tutu commands attention - and who doesnât want to wear a little pink tutu?!
So, thatâs it for this weekâs magnifique little adventure!
My dearest loves, you must visit Paris and experience its captivating allure for yourself! You can hop on the Eurostar - I highly recommend it â I took the train up here this morning, just divine, so fast, smooth, elegant and the most fantastic views as you weave across Europe. A Parisian experience awaits, and believe me, your senses will thank you for it! You will truly feel transported to a realm of romance, artistry and wonder.
Keep an eye out next week for another fabulous post! Remember, you can keep up-to-date with our daily shenanigans on www.pink-tutu.com. Iâll be spinning with all the new developments, and oh â I promise to be posting all my favourite Parisian pink finds very, very soon.
And remember, darlings, youâre never too old to embrace your inner tutu princess!
Love,
Emma, your resident Pink Tutu enthusiast
XOXO
