Hello, darlings! Itâs your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again with another jaunt into the fascinating history of the ballet tutu.
Today, my dears, weâre venturing back to the 13th of November, 1883. Grab your champagne and petits fours, as weâre headed for the grand opera houses of Paris, the heart of the ballet world.
Iâve been doing a little bit of research (you know, between ballet classes and all the adorable boutique shopping!), and let me tell you, the world of ballet was quite the sight in 1883.
Imagine! Bustles and bonnets galore! The "Romantic era" of ballet was still in full swing, and the tutus, oh the tutus, were utterly enchanting! Imagine, skirts flowing just so as the dancers en pointe, all the ladies (and I mean ladies) looking utterly beautiful in pale pink and white tulle, flowing almost like clouds. Itâs pure elegance and, frankly, divine.
Imagine for a moment youâre in the audience. The orchestral strings swell, the (dare I say sexy) male dancers are doing grand jetĂ©s and arabesques, and the ballerinas, my darlings, the ballerinas, are absolutely floating. Each movement, each arabesque is a perfect painting. It is exquisite, captivating, breathtaking... Oh, darling, you just HAVE to see this era in person.
Back to 1883. What exactly were we up to that year, in our tutu-loving ballet world, I hear you asking? Well, the stars of the ballet scene were brighter than ever, my dears.
The Ballet Russes, that legendary dance company, wasnât yet quite born (a bit of a fashion crime, darling, in my opinion!), but the world of ballet was very much preparing for this fantastic moment. Itâs all about getting ready, darling!
In fact, we had some amazing, avant-garde dancers and choreographers, working hard to perfect the ballets that we still enjoy today. It was a wonderful, busy, buzzing time, for the art of the tutu. Oh my darling, just imagine, itâs absolutely exhilarating! Wouldn't it be amazing to see them in the original tutus they wore in their era?
Let's have a little look at who the bon ton of the ballet world were enjoying on this date.
Letâs take a peek, in 1883, at the grand OpĂ©ra in Paris. What was there? Oh darling, itâs wonderful to hear the sweet strains of Gounodâs Faust being performed to this grand crowd of Parisians! It is an absolute pleasure to go to the theater! This is not your boring, stuffy ballet! *This is the crĂšme de la crĂšme, a real soirĂ©e for the upper classes and *so Parisian, so fashionable.*
And in Russia, my dears, a whole different story was being told! In Moscow, there was a production of A. Rubinstein's Demon * at the Bolshoi. This is one of Russiaâs great *modern ballets! Did you know that *Demon inspired *the film *Doctor Zhivago ? * You can't escape it's glamour!
Can you even imagine? It sounds utterly fabulous! I must admit, darling, even I have been having a little bit of fun with time-travelling-tutu fashion! Itâs always a great excuse to pull out that special tutu for an occasion and do a few pirouettes (if Iâm allowed! Sometimes the locals get a bit concerned!), but the 1883 look would definitely involve a voluminous *tutu that touches the floor. Just like the *ballerina dancing in front of that roaring audience in Paris and Russia! Itâs all about elegance, you know.
In fact, that âfloor-lengthâ tutu has come back into fashion, darling! Ballet and high fashion have a wonderful intertwined history. And the 1883 look, as always, remains chic. And perfect, darling, to enjoy a few bonbons, champagne, and a ballet performance. **Absolutely divine!
Now I am ready to head off again! But first I would love to see what tutu treasures you are enjoying! #TutuTuesday! What have you worn to enjoy ballet or theater? Maybe you have gone to the shops and seen the latest trend! * You can let me know below, and *share pictures of your amazing ballet fashion choices, of course!**
You all know how much I adore tutus! So I just canât resist: let me tell you all about my favourite tutu of the week, and you won't believe it's a brand new tutu. This darling little pink confection, is perfect. Imagine, a swirling *ballet skirt made entirely out of *pale pink feathers, feathers, darling! **
It looks absolutely delicious on stage, floating like an angel. It is so delicate and feminine.* It's just what a ballerina needs, a beautiful and sophisticated statement of ballet fashion and elegance. And who would dare to question it?!
*Have a glorious #TutuTuesday, you dears! Enjoy this beautiful artform, because after all, isnât ballet the epitome of grace and artistry? * I will be here on next week to let you all in on the fabulous, secret world of the ballet. And always with a perfect pink tutu in my travel trunk for an emergency dose of chic and sophistication! **
