Hello darling dears, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where tutus reign supreme and dreams take flight! It's Tutu Tuesday, and you know what that means! It's time for another delightful jaunt through the history of the glorious ballet tutu. As usual, I've dusted off my trusty time-travel trunk and whipped up my most adorable pink tulle frock, ready for another magical adventure!
Today, we're whisking back to October 2nd, 1877! Picture it: the gaslight glow of Parisian streets, the whispers of autumn leaves, and the bustling excitement of the grand opera houses. It's a time when fashion was reaching its peak of opulence and the world was enamoured with ballet's graceful artistry. Oh, to have lived in such a time of beauty!
Before we jump into the glorious tutus of 1877, let me tell you a bit about my own time-traveling escapades! You see, darling dears, I fund my forays into history by performing at ballet galas and special events. I've waltzed across the stages of Vienna, pirouetted under the shimmering chandeliers of Moscow, and even graced the Royal Albert Hall in London. You could say I'm a bit of a world-famous ballet ballerina... and it’s all thanks to my exquisite taste in tutus, of course!
But enough about me. Back to our time-traveling tutu journey!
The year 1877 marks a pivotal period in the world of ballet. The Romantic era of ballet, a period overflowing with emotional stories and lyrical dance movements, had fully blossomed. It was a time of elegant flowing tutus, delicate lace trimmings, and romantic swaths of silk.
This is why I chose to journey to Paris, darling dears, for Paris is, and has always been, the epicentre of fashion. In fact, Paris was the heart and soul of ballet fashion back in the 1800s! Just imagine, strolling down the Champs-Élysées in a billowing tulle tutu and feathered hat, stopping at a café to admire a handsome monsieur's moustache! Sighs dreamily.
A Peek Into the Past
My research reveals that on this very day, October 2nd, 1877, the Opera Garnier in Paris was ablaze with theatrical magic! There was a performance of 'La Fille du Régiment', a French opera-comique with ballet sequences by the famous Jules Perrot, the mastermind behind the legendary "pas de quatre". The ladies in the ballet were likely wearing gloriously voluminous, ankle-length tutus with intricate embroidery. It was truly an era of lavishness, don't you think?
You can bet your bottom dollar that these 19th-century ballet dancers would have turned heads with their ethereal gowns, made of the finest materials. Imagine the silken gleam of taffeta, the billowing grace of tulle, and the delicate artistry of handmade lace! I could simply die for a tutu adorned with hand-beaded motifs like they were wearing then. I must ask my trusty seamstress to add some embellishments of my own... just imagine how fantastic a black tulle tutu would look with glittering, jet black beads and sparkling sequins! I do think black is an excellent alternative to my usual pink for the Parisian stage, darling dears!
The Beauty of Simplicity
Despite the focus on intricate embellishments, there was still a simple beauty to the tutus of this time period. The core of the classic, romantic ballerina look was a sleek and simple, knee-length skirt – a delicate sheath of tulle with minimal ornamentation, designed to highlight the dancer's graceful lines. It was about showing off the artistry of the ballerina, her beautiful form and powerful movements. There’s no more powerful image than that of a dancer suspended in mid-air, their perfectly draped tutu a delicate and mesmerizing visual symbol of flight and freedom.
A Touch of Parisian Chic
Speaking of French elegance, it was impossible for me to resist adding a few delightful touches of my own to the classic look! Imagine me stepping out of my time-traveling carriage into the buzzing Parisian streets in this ensemble, complete with a perfectly-poised toque trimmed with pink velvet, dainty gloves, and of course, my ever-present pink ballet slippers.
I must admit, darling dears, that the allure of Parisian elegance has been intoxicating, and I’m beginning to see how the world’s most esteemed tutu makers find their inspiration in Paris. A walk through the streets of the City of Lights truly makes the most simple and classic tutus truly sing!
Time to Wrap it Up
Well, that’s about all the time I have today, my darling dears. You're all caught up with the ballet tutus of October 2nd, 1877, thanks to my very own time machine, of course! I can’t wait to show off a few new moves in this fabulous vintage tutu and have a ball on stage later this evening!
Remember, if you've enjoyed our journey through tutu history, make sure to bookmark www.pink-tutu.com for a brand new #TutuTuesday every Tuesday! And don't forget to share your love of tutus with the hashtag #pink-tutu, dear. Spread the tutu love, darling dears! I can’t wait to see you back here next week! Until then, let’s dance!
Bisous,
Emma
