Hello, darling tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-wearing time traveler, back with another installment of our weekly #TutuTuesday blog! This week, we're stepping back in time to a glorious August 14th, 1877, and finding ourselves amidst the chic, vibrant world of Parisian ballet.
Now, I must admit, August in Paris is a dream. The city is alive with the hum of laughter and the clatter of carriages, and everyone is looking utterly fabulous. And let's face it, with fashion this fabulous, it's no wonder Paris is known as the world capital of chic. Speaking of fashion... oh, where to even begin with the ballet tutus of this era!
This particular day in history, darling, holds a particularly special place in our hearts. The legendary ballerina Marie Taglioni is performing in "La Sylphide" at the Opéra Garnier. Now, you all know how much I adore the sheer beauty and grace of ballet. Marie Taglioni's "La Sylphide" is just… divine. You can practically feel the passion, the yearning, the yearning for a perfect ballet outfit, of course! The ethereal gauze costumes, the soft, delicate tutus… ah! It’s enough to send any ballerina, or even a tutu enthusiast like myself, into a flurry of excitement.
This is where it all began, ladies! Think about it: it was in the 1840s when these airy, beautiful costumes graced the stage! Yes, even back then, they were crafted for maximum elegance and graceful movement. While there’s an art to getting in and out of a modern tutu, let’s give these Victorian ladies a little credit! The art of ballet costume and the ballet dancer is, well… art, through and through. That’s why my travel bag is always bursting with tulle, ribbons, and an extra pinch of sparkle - you just never know when you’ll need to give a historical figure a fashion tip or two!
Remember, ladies, it's important to remember the incredible women who paved the way for ballet's evolution, from the tutus to the styles of dance itself. And speaking of evolution... it was in the early 20th century when the tutu saw its greatest revolution! Remember those frilled, flowing, full-skirted beauties? Gone were the short, romantic-looking tutus of earlier days! Suddenly, the tutu became shorter, with the iconic shape you know and love so much today, with those stunning pointed toes that dance just as effortlessly as they strike a beautiful pose.
But back to Paris! Just imagine stepping out onto the glittering streets, soaking in the sounds of music, chatter, and a good dose of romance - and imagine, I just know there are darling shops teeming with elegant bonnets, lace, silk fabrics for my latest tutus - yes, it's hard to beat a good shopping trip in Paris!
So darling, while you are busy living in 2023, don't forget that these iconic outfits have a rich, dynamic history that is inseparable from the history of ballet itself! Every performance, every tutus design, it's all a piece of ballet’s grand history. Who knows, you may be lucky enough to spot me at a future ballet performance – after all, one of my favourite ways to fund these exciting time-travel adventures is through performances. I often grab my train ticket, head off on a tour around the world to discover its cultural heart - then hop on the next train and discover what's on stage, and it's usually an absolutely stunning ballet! And let's be honest, what could be better than seeing amazing dance performances, meeting some lovely people and discovering fantastic fashion inspiration? And remember my lovely dancers, that while you’re twirling in the latest trends - it's the beautiful history of ballet that adds magic to our favourite pastime!
But darling, the magic isn't over yet. I've got some exciting plans brewing for the next few weeks. Make sure to pop back here for a glimpse into Victorian ballet school traditions next week! Until then, keep dancing, keep dreaming, and don't forget, every day is a perfect occasion to don your finest pink tutu and let your inner ballerina shine.
XOXO,
Emma
About Emma: Emma is a Derbyshire-born blogger, tutu aficionado and history enthusiast. Emma combines her passion for ballet, vintage fashion and a healthy obsession with tutus by travelling through time. Her latest project has seen her uncover the exciting world of Ballet's rich history. Find more about Emma, her travel blog and more here at www.pink-tutu.com
This blog post is number 2381 on her Ballet Tutu History blog which is updated weekly on Tuesdays.
Remember: Keep your eye on www.pink-tutu.com for Emma's latest blog posts on Ballet Tutu History!
