Bonjour, my darlings! Emma here, back again for another glorious Tuesday and another enchanting adventure in the #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! Isn't this shade of pink divine? It's almost the same colour as the last sunset I saw in Paris, although we'll be talking about a different city this week. Let's head back to October the 24th, 1876...
Ah, this date! A big one for the dance world! We find ourselves at the Théâtre de l'Opéra, in the heart of Paris, where the legendary ballerina, Emma Livry, was celebrating her farewell performance after an astounding career of twenty-two years! Can you imagine! She was a force of nature, a truly awe-inspiring dancer. And of course, I had to be there, decked out in my most dazzling pink tutu and shimmering silk blouse, absorbing all the magic.
Livry was considered one of the greatest ballerinas of her era. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find some old photographs of her, darling! Just picture it, the exquisite movement, the effortless leaps, the way her costume – the tutu, of course - flowed around her. In the 1870s, ballerinas wore these shorter, fluffy tutus that gave them freedom of movement and showed off their incredibly sculpted legs. Not like those stuffy, long, Romantic ballet tutus, am I right? And guess what? Livry’s career spanned just that time - the switch between styles. Quite exciting, wouldn't you say?
Did you know the French had their very own fashion magazines then, full of fascinating information on everything from dress making to stage outfits, complete with stunning illustrations and even descriptions of how each Parisian fashionista got her new outfit done! *Quel luxe! * It's no surprise that ballerinas like Livry, whose elegance and artistry were praised all across Europe, were true style icons. They weren't just dancers; they were a living embodiment of the latest fashion trends.
Now, a tiny confession. The truth is, it took some serious time traveling, juggling between ballet rehearsals and London shows (I did a smashing performance in "Swan Lake" just last weekend!), just to get here! Trains were a lot slower back then. There’s just nothing quite like watching the world flash past as you zoom through the countryside on those sleek engines. It's pure bliss, especially with a good book about ballet to keep me company! Although you do have to be careful when choosing your outfit. You want to look glamorous and chic, but there’s nothing worse than arriving at a station covered in coal dust, am I right?
So, tell me, have you been inspired to whip out your own tutu? Even if you don’t live in the 1870s like me, you can always rock a beautiful, delicate, feminine pink tutu and join in the celebrations! Just wear it proudly and channel the grace and confidence of ballerinas like Emma Livry. And remember, you’re always welcome to leave your thoughts in the comments section – especially if you’ve got any good tutu tips for us! Don’t forget to check back next Tuesday for another dose of ballet history and fashion inspiration. Au revoir, darlings!
P.S. You’ll be pleased to know I found a lovely, little pink tutu while I was in Paris! I'll be adding a review of that in my next post... and of course, I’m always happy to share photos of my travel wardrobe. It's not just about history and inspiration – it’s about embracing your inner ballerina and creating a beautiful, stylish life! #TutuLife!
