Bonjour mes amis! It's Emma here, back with another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday - your weekly dose of tutus, ballet history and (of course) fabulous pink! It's Tuesday, so grab your tea and settle in, as we're heading on a train trip through time!
Today, we're travelling back to 24th December, 1878 - a time when the ballet world was a-sparkle with dazzling debuts, charming stories and some truly extravagant costumes (you just know I had to snag some inspiration for my latest creation!).
Now, let me tell you, finding out what was happening in the world of ballet in 1878 wasn't a cakewalk! Imagine trying to navigate dusty archives without the handy internet - it was a bit of a scramble! But let me tell you, my dear readers, a little effort is worth it when it comes to ballet, and today's finds were swoon worthy.
*(Psst! Want to see the new pink tutu I picked up at Harrods after researching this post? It's divine, just imagine peach silk with tiny rosebuds - so pretty, right?! Head over to www.pink-tutu.com later for the sneak peek. It's not often I splurge, but for this tutu... it's justified!) *
Anyway, back to our trip through time! In 1878, the grand Palais Garnier in Paris - the temple of ballet - was still relatively new, having opened just a few years earlier. It's the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary ballet performance.
In Paris, I found an engaging article in 'Le Figaro' (a real Parisian favourite back then, think of it like today's "The Guardian", only with way more flair!). The piece showcased a performance of "La Esmeralda", a classic ballet by Jules Perrot - one of the grandfathers of the ballet world! It featured a captivating dancer named Rosita Mauri. Can you imagine being in that packed, buzzing theatre - the music swelling, the shimmering costumes... it must have been electric!
Speaking of costumes, what is 1878 without mentioning those tutus! It's fascinating to see the early iterations of the ballet tutu we know and love today. In those days, they weren't as full-skirted and they often featured more layers and elaborate embellishments - it was an era of opulent showmanship. Think tiers and tiers of delicate tulle, intricately woven with velvet ribbons and exquisite jewels - and lots of ruffles, of course! It's hard to believe we can get away with such minimal details today! I feel I need to incorporate at least a couple of new frills into my new pink tutu!
Now, this may not come as a surprise, but 1878 was a year dominated by the ballet, particularly in France. While the Victorian era was full of strict dress codes, dance provided a burst of liberation. Imagine yourself in a sea of silk and feathers as the music takes you away. It's no wonder the ladies were entranced.
(You just know my great-grandmother had the time of her life going to these ballet shows! Imagine those exquisite details... they make my tutu dreams come true!)
What a grand day for ballet! It was a time for beauty, for captivating movement and for tutus, tutus, tutus - the more dramatic, the better! This is just a small glimpse into the magical world of 1878, and we are about to explore so much more together.
See you next #TutuTuesday, and until then - remember, wear pink!
Your friend in tutus, Emma
