Oh darling, you won't believe what a fantastic adventure I had this week! I took my time machine back to Paris, and oh my goodness, it was like stepping into a beautiful dream! The cobbled streets, the delicious pastries, and the magnificent fashion⊠just incredible! And of course, I couldnât resist popping into the OpĂ©ra Garnier, that magnificent building just oozes elegance.
Speaking of elegance⊠my dear readers, you know what day it is! #TutuTuesday! Today, weâre going to explore the wonderful world of the tutu. Yes, those wispy, graceful layers of tulle that bring us all that quintessential ballerina magic. And while we might take them for granted now, you'd be surprised at how the tutu has evolved over time!
So, where were we last week? Ah, yes! Back in the 1870s, right before the tutu got its serious 'makeover'. It wasnât the elegant, layered, tutu we know today, but it was taking baby steps in that direction! Now, in 1876, we're seeing the first signs of what weâll come to know as the 'romantic tutu.'
Remember those big, full, almost skirt-like tutus that Marie Taglioni wore in her legendary performance of âLa Sylphideâ? Imagine taking that grand skirt, squeezing the fabric, adding more layers of tulle, and shortening it a bit. There you have it! The foundation for the modern-day tutu! The romantic tutu was all about fluidity and grace, allowing dancers to glide across the stage with ethereal lightness. It wasnât just about how it looked, it was about what it signified - airy and magical! The more layers you had, the more glamorous and ethereal your dancer.
Now, letâs get down to the nitty-gritty - I found this fantastic article in "Le Figaro", a Parisian newspaper from the period. They even had a whole section dedicated to the ballet, just imagine! It talks about the ballet, "CoppĂ©lia," by the brilliant LĂ©o Delibes. A classic! It was making waves across the continent and had a lovely little bit about the ballerinaâs costume in the piece.
The article describes it as "a dainty confection" and âsimply sublime!â. It mentions that âthe costume⊠accentuates every movement of the dancer, allowing her to appear like a fragile butterfly."
A "fragile butterfly!" Oh my darling, don't you just love that? It just conjures up an image of utter grace, doesnât it? I just love the imagery they use!
I even did a little digging about this "CoppĂ©lia" production. And oh, darling, itâs the story of a young woman who, oh dear, falls in love with a lifelike doll! A tale full of charm and beautiful choreography, perfect for any dancer who loves their tulle! If you ever get the chance to see a performance of "CoppĂ©lia", don't miss it! You can see a little bit of this exciting new era for the tutu and its transition from âbigâ to âetherealâ!
Oh darling, I can already feel my own inner ballerina bubbling to the surface. You know I canât go back in time without checking out the latest trends, so, guess where I headed first in Paris? The magnificent La Samaritaine department store! My goodness! They have the most amazing selection of âtissus tulleâ, thatâs French for tulle, darling. And believe me, when I tell you there was such an array of shades and patterns... You could make a whole rainbow with all the different colours of tulle they had!
Now, you might be thinking "Emma, how did you find out about âtissus tulleâ? I knew it was going to come up in the article and so had a few French words prepped to find the right aisle! You just canât visit Paris without understanding a bit of French. And let me tell you, it makes you feel a lot more confident when youâre picking out âtissus tulleâ to say the word in French, instead of standing awkwardly pointing at a rack and hoping the shop assistant understands your meaning!
Oh darling, thereâs so much to tell you about the trends of Paris, 1876. They were having a complete âballet-inspiredâ moment! Even the women on the street had their skirts trimmed in ruffles that gave them that delicate, swirling, almost âtutuâ effect! Now that's what I call âstyle! They were wearing lighter colours with floral motifs. The fashion was inspired by all things nature. That was when the real magic started, that shift in design that helped bring out the natural beauty of the ballerina. Just like this blog! We can have the perfect balance of fashion, art, and elegance!
Speaking of that elegance⊠I'm going to leave you with a few tips on getting that âromantic tutu lookâ, as this style was the forerunner to the modern-day tutu that everyone will know and love today! Itâs perfect if you're dressing up for a ballet class or just want to feel a bit extra:
- Start with a delicate, romantic colour: Think pale pinks, buttery yellows, or a subtle shade of blue. You want your look to be delicate, soft, and whimsical. It's always best to opt for that classic light shade of pink, if I do say so myself.
- The secret to layering: When you choose your tulle, remember to opt for layers upon layers to create that beautiful cloud-like look. I mean, who doesnât want a cloud around them at all times?
- Don't be afraid of accessories: It is possible to incorporate romantic accessories for your ballet style. This era of fashion was all about light, delicate touches of elegance that you can find by experimenting with pearls and little touches of lace. Think delicate, feminine, and playful.
- The most important thing: When it comes to the tutu, darling, confidence is key. You have to own that beautiful fluffiness, and twirl your way around! I think that every dancer needs that added boost of confidence when they are about to take to the stage, donât you?
And that's all, my dear readers! Weâve seen a few more little tweaks and refinements since 1876, and the tutu is constantly evolving, adapting to different eras, even taking its own trends and twists. But don't forget those romantic beginnings and how they transformed the ballet stage, how they added those first steps on the path to that grand tutu that we all know and love today.
I am going to leave you with a final thought to inspire you to get those legs warmed up, grab a pink tutu, and start twirlingâŠ
Until next week! Remember to twirl always, even in your everyday life! #PinkTutu
Love,
Emma
