Hello darlings, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com for another exciting trip through time! It's Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday! Today I'm stepping back to February 8th, 1876 and oh my, what a day it was!
First things first, let's talk travel. I popped over from Derbyshire on a glorious steam train! Isn't it simply wonderful? I was lucky to snag a compartment to myself. I just adore the bustle and excitement of train travel, the rhythmic chug-chug of the wheels, the elegant puffing steam - it's the perfect start to any adventure!
Today, my adventure took me to Paris! You simply can't talk about tutus without mentioning the city of lights, where fashion is king and dancing is an art form! The theatres were overflowing, and I popped in to catch a magnificent production of Giselle at the Opéra. Swoon!
Let's talk about tutus, darlings!
The tutu was still evolving in 1876. You wouldn't find the fluffy romantic tutus that have swept the stage more recently (though a girl can dream!). Back then, the tutu was all about creating that fluid, ethereal silhouette, emphasizing the flow of the movement. The romantic era was all about emphasizing lines and gestures. You might see layers of tulle (or tulle-like materials, depending on the production) which gave this beautiful lightness to the skirt, highlighting those leaps and bounds with incredible effect. It was a bit of a dance, you know, a play between flowing elegance and structural formality, and it's just what makes this period so interesting to study!
Speaking of ballet productions in 1876, they were certainly different! Think long, elegant pieces with a whole story behind them. They weren't like those whirlwind contemporary pieces that pop up in those fantastic modern shows that are all about explosive power and bold choreography, you know, the ones that leave you breathless. 1876 ballet was all about meticulous skill and captivating stories, unfolding over time with every graceful gesture. There's something so deeply moving about it. And it definitely called for that flowing, graceful, unencumbered feeling of the tutus of the era.
I popped by the Opéra Garnier afterwards, the most elegant building imaginable. And it just screams tutu-ready. I love seeing where the great dancers of the time worked, *don't you darling? *
And speaking of fashion, darling, imagine how exciting this period must have been. The ladies in the audience were just radiant in their silks, satins and elaborate gowns. It's no surprise that the world was just smitten by fashion!
To wrap up my Parisian adventure, I treated myself to a new pair of dancing slippers at the most wonderful store in the Palais Royal - I mean, how could I possibly resist? Just a little something to inspire me. It's all about those small details that make a difference. Just divine - with the prettiest bows.
I'm so glad I could share my journey with you today! Stay tuned for another exciting #TutuTuesday adventure next week. Oh! and don't forget to head over to my website at www.pink-tutu.com to find a fantastic selection of all-things-pink-tutu! You know you need some pink in your life! Until next week, stay stylish!
Yours in Tutus,
Emma xx
