Oh, darling dears!
It's me, Emma, your ever-so-slightly-pink-obsessed tutu aficionado, back with another delve into the delightful history of the ballet tutu. This week, we're jetting back to the Victorian Era, a time of corsets, bustle skirts and… wait for it… the beginning of the Romantic Ballet era! That's right, a time when the ballerinas really started taking flight, literally. It all started in 1832 with Marie Taglioni's performance in La Sylphide and those famous tutus have become the ballet icon we know and love today!
I love seeing ballerinas twirling on stage in their breathtakingly beautiful tulle creations, with each delicate layer echoing the flutter of butterflies. The tutu – a word itself that seems to float on air, don't you think? Imagine my excitement when I hopped onto the time-travel train last night, bound for Paris. I must admit, I did try on a few new outfits before I left - that fabulous shop on rue de la Paix had me entranced with all the delicate laces and silk ribbons. A little detour, just a tiny one, for the perfect vintage dress! After all, it's so much easier to blend in when you look like you belong, don't you think?
So, fast forward to February 17th, 1885. This week in Paris, it’s all about the Palais Garnier. A truly grand structure, with a chandelier so magnificent, you could literally spend an afternoon simply gawking at it! I saw it! It's even more stunning in person than all those portraits and paintings. A little known fact – that very building was once the place where tutus were actually made. Just imagine – you'd step into the building and right there, amidst all the ballet practices and shows, there was this buzzing space dedicated to creating these magical dance garments! Can you imagine a place like that in modern London? *Ah, how times change! *
But I must tell you, my dearest readers, the Paris fashion of the day was a little different from my style. You see, the ladies back then loved those heavy layers – skirts that were more hoop-style, and bodices that were a bit, shall we say, restraining? Think corsets, my lovelies. I don’t think those would do much for turning on your toes, would they? Thankfully, a new freedom began with the dawn of the Romantic era, and tutus took their place, lighter and more ethereal!
As I ambled through the streets, trying my best not to stick out too much in my vintage garb, I couldn’t help but daydream about being on that Parisian stage. To be a ballerina back then, a star, surrounded by those gentlemanly patrons who held their opera glasses so carefully, so reverently, as they looked down from the balconies to admire you on stage, a vision of grace and loveliness. A vision of beauty in all its perfectly pink, perfectly delicate tulle glory. What an exhilarating era it must have been, a time when dance took the center stage, both on the street and in the theaters. Even their dress made me want to swirl in delight, though not in a way that my new vintage gown would allow for!
Oh, and remember to check out my new pink tutu, a masterpiece made of fine Swiss tulle, with hand-sewn appliqués. I wore it to the ballet class this week – the look on those dancers’ faces was priceless, they really loved it. The ballet shoes really tied the whole ensemble together, especially in a classic pink with satin ribbons for extra sparkle! It even gave the ballet mistress pause – now that's an impact! It truly was a little piece of Parisian magic. It would make me blush to say it. pink
That's it, darlings, for this week's #TutuTuesday I’m off to catch the 4:27 from Kings Cross to the City. A ballet show awaits! I just hope they serve refreshments there - something light and pink, perhaps? *Remember, every day is an opportunity to add a little *tutu sparkle to your life! **
Yours in ballet-tastic fashion,
Emma
