Hello dearies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! Today's #TutuTuesday is extra special because we're taking a journey through time to a most exciting period in tutu history, 1877! 🩰✨
It's amazing to think that I've already written 2,395 of these blogs. You guys are amazing for reading them all! Today, I'm off to the grandest Parisian opera house for an enchanting evening at the Opéra Garnier to see none other than the luminous Mademoiselle Rosita Mauri perform. Just imagining those stunning leaps and delicate pirouettes in a breathtakingly detailed tutu makes me swoon. I do believe it's La Fille Mal Gardée, so the gorgeous tutus will be romantic, yet playful – so very fitting! 💕
Let me paint a picture for you, darling: Paris in 1877 is a symphony of swirling skirts, flamboyant hats, and… you guessed it… a kaleidoscope of stunning tutus. Imagine billowing, bell-shaped tutus crafted from delicate silk or tulle, bursting with exquisite floral embroideries, lace trim, and cascading ribbons. They were absolutely a spectacle for the eyes! 🤩
For this blog post, I even procured a gorgeous antique travel poster depicting a lovely woman twirling in a bright, billowing, frilled tutu – it's so elegant, I almost feel it moving with me as I gaze upon it! (This particular poster may find a permanent residence in my pink-tinted Parisian flat, just saying…😉).
Speaking of tutus, my trip through time brought me to an intriguing discovery – one of the very first ballet companies ever established was… wait for it… the King's Theatre Company in London! They were around way back in 1728! I simply can't get over how old this form of entertainment is, and the rich history we’re still discovering about these magical costumes!
But back to Paris and my little trip back in time, as we're exploring 1877 in this blog! I found the most exciting news for us tutu lovers: the first professional dancewear company opened up right in Paris that very year! The creation of dedicated stores and studios for ballerinas was quite the innovation, and helped revolutionize the accessibility and the sheer spectacle of the tutu, don’t you think? 💖
I, of course, had to get my hands on a vintage tutu from that era. My new Parisian flat is bursting with a collection of tutus, and you know what? Every single one is a timeless, captivating treasure – and even though I have my own pink one that I wear on all my time travelling journeys, I simply adore the classic design of the tutus from 1877. They feel so airy and beautiful – a symphony of light and movement, just like ballet itself.
It’s such a magical time, this 1877 period, with the tutus. They weren’t just for ballet shows! The fashionistas of Paris embraced them for soirees, even afternoon tea with their friends! And just imagine those whimsical, playful silhouettes… 🩰🤩
Here’s the biggest difference, though – back then, it was about achieving this voluminous, ethereal look through many, many layers of fabric. No wonder those tutus are so breathtaking! Just thinking about how they must have felt – all the intricate details, the hand-stitched silk – I imagine they would have been so delicate and delicate to move in. And the skill needed for their creation! The artistry of each tiny piece makes these tutus truly remarkable, just like each graceful ballerina!
I absolutely adore the delicate, frilled elegance of 1877, and I've taken a few tips on how to modernise it. Let me give you a peek into how you can bring the spirit of these beautiful tutus into your own fashion!
- Lace is always a winning choice: For that classic ballerina touch, lace, lace and more lace is a must!
- Think romantic ruffles and frills: These make a statement like nothing else, adding a lovely movement to your look!
- Opt for sheer fabrics and light layers: Light tulle, fine chiffon, and airy silk bring out the essential femininity, just like they did in 1877!
- Embrace a hint of blush or champagne: These delicate, romantic shades echo the ethereal quality of ballet itself.
These tips may just make you the best dressed on any Parisian soirée! 😉 I absolutely love seeing all the new takes on traditional styles these days. We don’t have to be stuck in any one era - we can draw from inspiration through time, just as I have on my own journey!
It’s moments like these that make my adventures in time truly remarkable. The way fashion influences and informs the past, the present, and the future, all through time and different eras – isn't it incredible?
Now, don’t forget to catch me on social media for more #TutuTuesday fun!
I'll leave you with a bit of magic to make your day. The Ballet Tutu History is filled with surprises, each time period just as fascinating as the last! Who knows what my travels will lead to next week? Keep an eye out for the newest #TutuTuesday post, coming right up next Tuesday! 😘
Until then, darling, let your own inner ballerina shine brightly,
Emma ✨
P.S.: Did you know the iconic Opera Garnier where I’ll be watching the performance is undergoing renovations? It reopened in 1875 and the theatre truly gleams, darling! The chandelier that’s in the ceiling of the main foyer weighs 7.5 tons, that’s 15,000 lbs! It's almost as much as a pink tutu, haha! I simply have to get a glimpse of this amazing creation – and you know what I’ll be wearing, right? A sparkling, fluffy pink tutu! 💖
