Bonjour, mes chers amis! Itâs Emma, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, and todayâs #TutuTuesday takes us back to 1883, a date filled with delightful drama, exquisite fashion, and, of course, the majestic twirl of the tutu!
From the cobbled streets of Derbyshire to the glamorous Parisian salons, the tutu's history is woven into the fabric of time, a dance of elegance and evolution. Itâs a love story weâve been exploring week after week, and I must admit, I'm absolutely smitten with this glorious garment.
This week, as we travel back in our fancy little time machine (yes, itâs powered by pink tutu magic!), we find ourselves in the heart of Parisian ballet, 1883. Picture it: elegant ladies and gentlemen in their finest attire, the air buzzing with anticipation, and the stage illuminated by gaslight â a veritable spectacle of the grand old days.
Our dear Charles Didelot, the pioneer of Romantic ballet, is enjoying immense popularity. His "La Fille Mal GardĂ©e" was the hot ticket â and tutus, believe it or not, weren't necessarily a staple of every ballet. Imagine that! A dance without a tutu? The horror!
Imagine my delightful surprise upon discovering that the famous tutus were just starting to truly take their rightful place on stage! Back then, tutus werenât the frilly masterpieces of today; they were slightly more modest, more closely hugging the dancerâs figure, and often embellished with tulle and ribbons. A dance with such an element of grace and elegance truly called for something a bit more extravagant than what came before. Thankfully, the evolution of the tutu had already begun.
Speaking of evolution, one cannot speak of tutus in the 1880s without mentioning the breathtaking âThe Little Mermaid.â This production, set in the fantastical world of the sea, saw an exquisite mix of romantic costumes and playful choreography that sent shockwaves through the dance world. Can you picture dancers in the sea-foam green and shimmery blues of this fabulous production, their tutus floating and swirling around them like the ocean waves themselves?
This very day, August 28th, 1883, there were likely several performances at the ThĂ©Ăątre de l'OpĂ©ra in Paris. The Opera Garnier is just bursting with magic and theatre, a beautiful setting to appreciate the work of some of the greatest dancers and choreographers in history. Oh, to witness a Parisian Ballet from the 1880s â I would even travel by train just for a single night! Just think of the fabulous fashions and elegant ladies and gents I'd be surrounded by. I imagine the dress codes of this time must have been absolutely incredible. Oh, to see a grand ballroom, and dance amongst the aristocracy of this glorious period in history!
Imagine my joy â in 1883, my beloved tutus were slowly starting to truly take off! And if they've come so far already, imagine how much more wonderful they'll become in the years to come.
Speaking of the future, how wonderful it is that you have joined me today for this little slice of ballet history. Keep coming back, darling friends, for more adventures in the magical world of ballet and its fascinating evolution of fashion, especially with a certain piece of clothing I dearly love.
As I always say: every day is an opportunity to twirl in style and elegance. So, grab a lovely tulle fabric and fashion your own magnificent tutu. And donât forget, a dash of pink can never go amiss!
Until next time, dear friends! And donât forget, if youâre feeling bold, #wearatutu!
Love and twirls, Emma
