Hello darling tutus! It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-loving ballerina blogger, back with another #TutuTuesday delve into the delightful world of ballet history.
Today’s date takes us to the year 1883, a time when tutus were reaching new heights of elegance and intricacy. Can you imagine, dear reader, the excitement of catching a ballet performance in a beautifully ornate theatre, adorned with glittering chandeliers and velvety seats, whilst wearing the most exquisite, hand-crafted tutu imaginable?! I get chills just thinking about it!
Today’s focus: the ballet world, and, of course, those fabulous tutus! What a better place to do that than from the heart of the dance world: Paris, the fashion capital!
Ooh la la! Paris! I’m just in love with this city. The architecture, the fashion, the theatres – it’s just a magical blend of elegance and passion. And the tutus… oh, the tutus! We’ve just been to a performance at the Opéra Garnier, the most magnificent building ever! Imagine marble staircases, sweeping grand balconies, and the soft rustle of the audience’s silken dresses – you practically feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale. And let's not forget the incredible tutus the dancers wear. My favourite was a perfectly symmetrical design, constructed entirely out of layers of hand-stitched tulle – an explosion of pastel hues that simply swept me away. Pure Parisian magic!
So, where were tutus in 1883? Well, just like the beautiful Parisian architecture we're soaking in, the style was reaching new heights. While the “Romantic tutu”, those floating billowing skirts of the early 19th century, still held sway, the evolution towards what we know as the "Classical tutu” was taking hold – you know, the iconic short tutu that really lets those leg extensions fly, creating incredible dramatic lines and silhouettes.
Think * *Marie Taglioni, one of the original “tutu stars” of the mid 1800s, wearing an elegant two-layered, form-fitting design that highlighted her incredible dance techniques. She essentially started a whole fashion trend - even Queen Victoria was known to have sported a tutu during one of her extravagant masked balls! Who could blame her! I mean, if there was a good time to embrace the magic of tulle and petticoats, it was then!
And then came the “Paganini” period – an explosion of colour and dramatic, highly technical performances. Think La Esmeralda, Le Corsaire, and Giselle, a series of classics featuring tutus of stunning colours – ruby red, deep greens, electric blues - a kaleidoscope of rich and saturated shades for each individual character. It was a visual explosion and a thrilling display of sheer technical skill, pushing the boundaries of ballet, all while looking fantastic in gorgeous, colourfully extravagant tutus!
While we're in Paris, I just have to visit a couple of our favourite little shops and department stores for a quick look around for accessories! We’ve picked up the most beautiful embroidered, handmade silk gloves, feather fans and elaborate tiaras. I'm particularly fond of a delightful feathered corsage we spotted. Perfect for the upcoming premiere! Speaking of the premiere, let me tell you - the theatre in Paris are always packed on opening nights! We have the privilege of watching Carlotta Grisi, the most popular dancer of her day, and a ballerina who was absolutely adored by the Parisian public, take centre stage, a veritable "ballet queen!" We even saw her perform one of her most famous works, *La Fille du Régiment! * Talk about elegant!
After this lovely trip to Paris, I have to catch a train back to England! But not before *stopping by a local antique store to pick up some beautiful hand-sewn pieces of 19th-century fashion and some vintage tutus! * They are utterly enchanting. The silk ribbons and intricate lace patterns are so elegant, even by modern standards. And, the beauty of those designs will really help bring my next blog posts about 19th-century dance trends to life!
You can catch the next #TutuTuesday post next Tuesday on pink-tutu.com! We will be traveling to the beautiful city of Vienna to learn all about ballet and tutu fashions of the Austro-Hungarian empire! You really won’t want to miss it!
Until next week, stay fashionable, my dear friends, and happy twirling!
