Hello my lovely readers!
It's another delightful Tuesday, and you know what that means - time for another journey back through history for our weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog post! Today, my sparkly time machine is taking me all the way back to December 4th, 1877, a most momentous year for ballet history and fashion.
But first, let me twirl around and say a big HELLO to my wonderful readers. So, if you're joining me for the first time, grab a glass of pink lemonade (or, better yet, a glass of champagne, because why not!) and join me on this fabulously fashionable trip. You're all about to be swept away on a whirl of pink, sparkles, and the undeniable magic of ballet!
Today, I'm absolutely buzzing about being in Paris! It's the heart of the ballet world, and boy, are the fashions stunning. Let's be honest, I never get tired of a good dose of Parisian style. Now, I may be a Derbyshire girl at heart, but nothing beats the chic and sophistication of Parisian fashion, especially for the gorgeous outfits that grace the ballet stage.
On December 4th, 1877, we're witnessing an enchanting ballet performance. Tonight, The Opera Garnier, that architectural masterpiece, is pulsating with the joy of dance. I have been lucky enough to snag the best seats in the house! But wait, this isn't any ordinary performance! Marie Taglioni is taking to the stage, the Queen of the Ballet, the inspiration for generations of dancers. You have to remember, Marie is already a ballet legend - her light and airy style is what truly gave rise to the graceful tutu! She practically defined a whole era of ballet and fashion! Imagine - being a part of such a glorious event!
Today's ballet is "La Sylphide", a truly magical story that unfolds in Scotland. There's the mischievous sylph (a kind of mystical forest sprite) played by Marie Taglioni. A dashing young Scotsman, played by an impressive male dancer named Paul Legrand, is hopelessly in love with her. As Marie glides across the stage, light as a feather in her billowing white tutu, she appears almost ethereal! Talk about a ballet dress to dream of. Even with all the new styles of tutu I see in this glorious time, Marie still knows how to make those romantic flounces flow and that ballerina body seem otherworldly! The sheer weightlessness of her performance is truly mesmerizing, even to me.
You know how much I love travelling! So I made sure to spend the past few days before the show exploring the city and, of course, shopping. Paris has a dazzling selection of fabric and lace for making the most incredible tutus! It's just bursting with beauty. From delicate cobblestone streets to bustling marketplaces filled with fashion inspiration, Paris has it all.
Of course, you know me! My pink tutu is never far away. A time-traveling ballerina just can't help but make a splash. It's so nice to be able to blend into the crowd and watch these Parisian women on their elegant promenades, but you know me! I always stand out - and let's be honest, who doesn't love a touch of bright, confident pink in their life!
I popped by one of my favourite Parisian shops, the charming "Chez Madame Dubois", to pick out the most delightful pink ribbons for a new creation! Don't worry, my dears! You can find these same kinds of trims back home in our local shops too - you can get them for your tutu projects! Just remember the beauty of Parisian style.
I am absolutely going to find the best milliners and seamstresses to try and make my own version of "La Sylphide"'s stunning tutu for my next performance back in Derbyshire. Imagine! We'll have all the ladies in our local theatre wearing pink tutus and we'll be dancing on air just like Marie Taglioni! We have to be bold and creative to get everyone to join in my passion. We need to see tutus all over Derbyshire!
In the 1870s, tutus were evolving and taking many beautiful shapes. While those simple and lightweight forms were a breath of fresh air, we started seeing tutus gaining a bit of fullness. The shape became quite fitted, especially for Marie Taglioni - so stylish and beautiful! It almost reminds me of a fairy tale gown with so much volume at the bottom!
You can imagine, my fellow ballet-loving friends, it's been a joy to wander through the vibrant heart of Parisian fashion. The artistry in the fabric and designs here truly speaks volumes for the creative soul! I was even lucky enough to sneak a peek into a grand costume workshop! The incredible hand-sewn beads, glittering sequins, and gorgeous embroidery made my heart race. Oh, the things I would do for a touch of their brilliance for my next costume creation back in the 21st century. Imagine that, tutus glittering under the stage lights with all that handmade beauty! I just wish I had the chance to buy up all of the glorious supplies they have in this lovely Parisian shop!
But all those amazing things don’t mean you have to spend lots of money! I can tell you, those Parisian tailors, when creating those gorgeous tutus, are just using some good quality materials and simple tailoring tricks to create masterpieces. The techniques are often as important as the material itself, and that makes the creation so inspiring! Don't worry! I'll be making a few videos next week with my own little crafting secrets for all of you wonderful readers to give your own tutus that ‘Belle Époque’ touch! They'll be all on my website!
Before we take off, remember my dear readers, to live in a world full of colourful sparkle and dance, just like our lovely ballerina! Until next time, have fun experimenting and remember it's not just about the look; it's about that feeling of joyous freedom. So why not try wearing your tutu outside? It's fun and liberating! After all, we all deserve to be our own versions of beautiful ballerinas.
Don't forget, my lovelies! Next week, #TutuTuesday takes us to an exciting new date in history! I am on my way to a beautiful seaside city, with wonderful stories about our favourite garment! Make sure you keep a lookout on www.pink-tutu.com for another post!
Until then, remember - keep twirling!
Your fashionable, travelling ballerina,
Emma
P.S. For the best ballerina inspired fashion tips, have a look at the "pink tutu" app - you'll find links for our app at www.pink-tutu.com - remember it’s free to download!
P.P.S. If you love our posts on #TutuTuesday, you can donate through our website to support my ballet and time-travelling adventures. I may need a few more upgrades on this time machine! You never know where it might take me!
