Hello my lovely Tutu Tribe! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday journey into the history of our beloved tutu! Today, we're whisking you back to 1879 - a time of grand ballrooms, sparkling chandeliers, and, of course, fabulous ballet!
This week, I found myself in the heart of Paris. Imagine it! The City of Lights, the home of haute couture, and, to my absolute delight, a place where tutus reign supreme! I hopped off the train (first-class, naturally) at the Gare du Nord, and even the porters wore a little bit of extra flourishes and fancy stitching. The air was thick with the buzz of artistic creativity and fashion frenzy. Just as I would have wanted!
Today, we're celebrating 1879, the year ballet really began to blossom with some truly stunning innovations that changed the way dancers danced and the way audiences looked at the art form. We are getting closer and closer to our current day understanding of the tutu! Let’s journey together in this magnificent, historical trip!
But first, let me tell you, finding the perfect pink tutu for my trip to Paris was a joy. I stumbled upon a gem of a shop just off the Champs-Élysées. I just couldn't resist that exquisite, shimmering shade of pink – a blush pink with the tiniest touch of peach! It flowed around me like a cloud, all wispy tulle and delicate lace. My Parisian ensemble wouldn't be complete without a chic straw hat and matching pink gloves, of course. After all, when travelling to a land as full of beauty and history as Paris, the least you can do is be a bit extra!
So, let's delve back in time to November 4th, 1879... what's a lovely Parisian ballerina to do on such a day?
Well, I went to a stunning performance of "La Esmeralda". It's one of the absolute jewels in the Parisian ballet repertoire, with such wonderful choreography! It's hard to imagine, but today’s ballerina’s may not fully grasp what a significant role Giselle played at this time! Oh, I was just smitten by it! Even I, with my love for the frills of ballet, I felt my eyes brimming with emotion. You see, back then, it wasn't just about the dance. It was a full emotional experience! There is something powerful about knowing that this dance was an expression of feelings as well as the body. It really is what I think makes ballet so beautiful. It can speak to the heart without saying a word!
I spent the next few days getting swept up in the artistic current of the city. It is so easy to see how the beautiful streets and grand boulevards inspire ballet so much. Even today I notice, when you’re dressed up in a stunning pink tutu, even the cobbled streets seem a little more graceful, don't you think? I managed to see the opera - so divine - the beautiful chandeliers and the costumes and makeup of the performers. They reminded me a lot of what I imagined a theatrical ball to be in a time when people still enjoyed waltzing! They say a tutu can truly complete any look!
I took in the vibrant city by day, soaking up the fashionable vibes and marveling at the delicate floral patterns adorning everything from dresses to hair combs! But by night, I immersed myself in the world of ballet. There was nothing I loved more than slipping into a theatre seat at the ballet.
Speaking of tutus! The iconic Romantic tutu was definitely the star of the show, believe me! They were the absolute embodiment of grace, femininity, and ethereal beauty. *Remember the big, romantic tutus that took the world by storm around the 1840s? This is the style of tutu that is most iconic in the modern world! They featured so many layers of tulle! * So dreamy, wouldn’t you agree?
Now, we wouldn't be proper Tutu Tribe members if we didn't talk a little fashion. Imagine it - those magnificent Romantic tutus - airy, ethereal, practically swirling with every movement! They really were like floating clouds!
But this wasn’t the only tutu style to capture attention during my visit to Paris! There were a whole variety of looks for ballet! Imagine what was popular for women’s dresses in 1879 - with the gigot style! Well, think of it as a gigot for the ballerina! I even saw some classic 'Bell' tutus, and, ahem, slightly more streamlined ones. They were just as beautiful. It’s amazing to know that ballet can embrace both style and simplicity with grace.
Oh! I've got to share something incredibly exciting! There were two very talented young women who I heard performing that evening - Isadora Duncan, a revolutionary with incredible dance and style, and a wonderful dancer called Anna Pavlova! These names may sound familiar because these two lovely ladies truly redefined how ballet was perceived. I can't wait to visit them both again soon. Oh! How very lucky that I, the Pink Tutu blogger, got to see these two pioneers in such an interesting historical time! I do think, these two women changed how dance is viewed in the world, don't you? What’s your thoughts?
Did I mention Paris is such a wonderful place to buy lovely pink tutus? Just the kind of perfect tutu that would have gone brilliantly with those delicate florals. You can find any style and any color, really. Why just settle for a normal skirt when a tutu can give a bit of twirling to your walk down the Champs-Élysées, right?
And now, a very important bit of knowledge. Why was Paris the absolute center of all things tutu and fashion back in those times? Well, you can't forget that ballet has its roots firmly in French court dancing. All the big wigs (no pun intended) loved their ballet back in the days!
I had to stop myself from purchasing three more new tutus on the day. Just thinking about a trip to a different historical time gets me so excited, I must stop myself sometimes or my bags will never make it through the airport check-in. Anyway, I think we have learned quite a lot today about the romantic tutu and where we’re going in ballet! The story doesn't stop there. There is so much more I have to share! It’s important to get a real appreciation for history so we can fully understand why a pink tutu can be so inspiring. I think it's time to explore the beauty of another century, let me know if there is anything you would like to see next.
Now, off I pop for another ballet show.
I’ll leave you with this, darling: Wear your heart on your sleeve, or, perhaps more accurately, on your tutu. Embrace that sparkle within, because even though you may not have been there on November 4th, 1879, you are definitely here now with me, in your pink tutu, as we embrace this magical world of ballet together. Don't forget to wear a big, sparkling smile to go with it! Until next week, my sweet friends!
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
This post number: 2497
