Welcome back, lovelies, to another edition of #TutuTuesday! This week, we're whisking back to March 14th, 1876 - just imagine, a time when gaslights flickered, carriages rattled over cobblestones, and the waltz reigned supreme. This was a time of dramatic flourishes, lavish fabrics, and - you guessed it - beautiful, flowing tutus!
(This post is number 2307 on www.pink-tutu.com, by the way! Don't forget to bookmark for more!)
Today, we find ourselves in Paris, the heart of ballet - think of all the glamorous theatres, the sparkling chandeliers, the elegant dancers... oh, how I dream of twirling in such a magnificent setting!
Imagine this, dear readers, my fluffy pink tutu practically bouncing as I hurry along the Parisian streets, heading for a ballet performance at the OpƩra Garnier. What an absolute spectacle, filled with elaborate sets, breathtaking choreography, and stunning costumes.
I might even be able to spot the famous prima ballerina, Mme. Marie Taglioni. A woman truly ahead of her time! (Iām not sure she wears pink tutus, but she could certainly pull one off, wouldnāt you say?) Her grace and athleticism were absolutely captivating - and you simply couldn't miss that gorgeous, layered skirt. I'd be thrilled just to glimpse her sparkling, fringe-adorned tutu, just a hint of pastel colours, perhaps a delicate peacock feather peeking from beneath it, as she glides across the stage. Just think, her dress, all of 200 layers of tulle! Goodness, what an amount of tulle to wear every day!
Of course, in 1876, a ballet tutu was a world away from what we might think of as a tutu today. Those iconic romantic tutus - oh, you just can't get over them! Itās those that truly made ballet an artistic, feminine spectacle, with graceful, flowing movement that captured the eye like a perfectly set diamond. I have a secret hankering to own a dress that's like that... just to dance about my Derbyshire house, like itās a stage, to feel like a proper dancer.
Speaking of Derbyshire! Letās get down to brass tacks, while Iām enjoying my little escapades through history, thereās an important event in England today: a little thing called The Royal Commission On Trades Unions! The official opening, that is! It is held in the House of Lords, I do believe. A big day for the workers of Britain! It makes you proud, wouldnāt you say? And thatās not the only event... today was also a lovely Wednesday wedding in the English country side - nothing says happy and joyous like a wedding!
It is hard to think how ballet tutus, in a way, mirrored those changes in the times. I have a thought - tutus might not have been all about power or strikes, but it did symbolise something in society at the timeā¦ something important and wonderful. But, they symbolise something more than that - tutus represent dreams, magic and a little touch of the supernatural...and maybe, just maybe, a pinch of rebellious joy! Thatās the real heart and soul of tutus - the desire to twirl, to leap, to dream big... and I am going to help spread that message throughout the ages, even to this little corner of history here in 1876! I just know those whoāve gone before me, those ballerinas who danced and performed on this very stageā¦ well, they would have absolutely loved my pink tutu.
You can believe me, lovelies, a new generation of ballet lovers were born this decade! People are becoming more aware of the arts - especially in this period - I believe this is because everyone, no matter where they're from or what their story is, wants a little more magic, a little more beauty, and a little more whimsy in their lives! The times they are a-changing! Think about it - if your local town had just gained a brand-new railway station, a magnificent structure of steel and glass and iron, it was bound to ignite imagination and wonder... itās no surprise a blossoming arts scene, especially something as thrilling and expressive as ballet, follows!
I just know, the 1870s was a glorious era for all of us... and perhaps thatās why I always come back, always feel such joy and hope in those times! If you get a chance to check out some photos and books of the ballet of this time period - don't miss the costumes and designs! Itās a wonderful, colourful explosion of fabrics and feathers. My goodness, how fabulous those dances looked - and just think how much fun the designs must have been to create. I am sure Iām not the only one to imagine it ā they look like the best type of costumes for having an amazing time, a time thatās full of love, fun and fashion - what more could you ask for?
But donāt just look at the stage, take in the crowd, the people enjoying the ballet... they look like they're just as stylish as the performers on the stage - think silk scarves, grand gowns and dapper gentlemen, with their elegant suits... And maybe a sprinkling of tutus, just maybe - after all, my grand-dream of āeveryone in a tutu!ā was just a whisper back in the 1800s, just a small spark...but think about that - one day it could turn into a blazing fire!
I know that in my humble, but important mission, I am spreading the joy, love and wonder of tutus throughout history! I truly believe, everyone deserves to twirl and be happy... And it all started somewhere in 1876.
Have a wonderful #TutuTuesday! And, darling readers, until we meet again - always remember - wear your tutus with pride. š
#PinkTutuFashion:I was browsing through an antique book today, a gorgeous fashion catalogue from the year 1876, and let me tell you, I was absolutely swooning over the frocks! They all had such delicate designs, lots of flounces and rufflesā¦ but the real star? They even had tutus as street-fashion ! Oh, my goodness... it was just a peek in a store window, so fleeting butā¦ absolutely perfect. A gorgeous dark-haired lady with the loveliest porcelain skin was wearing it ā a light pastel yellow tulle tutu! A bit of tulle tied round the waist to a delicate silk and lace blouseā¦ it just made the skirt swish as she walked - it looked as though it was about to take flight. And even with a light silk hat and beautiful, intricately-crafted, high heeled shoes, she was simply divine. I had to snatch a photo of her. Imagine the gorgeous silhouettes they created! You canāt beat tulleā¦ It just makes me want to start a collection!
Oh, I think my next little venture should be a tour of 19th century Paris's finest milliners! A little girl can dream! A beautiful, voluminous tutu to be the most stunning fashionista... in the world? Perhaps! Or perhaps, it is better to dream small, I donāt want to get ahead of myselfā¦ I will let you know what happens next Tuesday.
