Bonjour mes chéries! It's Emma, your resident Tutu Queen, back from a whirlwind tour of 1887, a year that was truly bonkers when it came to tutus! Did you know that 1887 is considered by some historians as the start of a Tutu Revolution? Buckle up your ballet shoes, my dears, because today we're taking a grand jeté into the past...
(This post is part of my weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History series, dedicated to the fabulous world of ballet tutus. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com each Tuesday for more tutu delights!)
The Parisian Scene â May 31st, 1887
I arrived in Paris feeling as elegant as a freshly-ironed silk petticoat! As the first rays of sun gilded the City of Lights, I skipped into a grand cafe for a cup of the most delightful café au lait I've ever tasted. What was happening in the world on this very date, you ask? Well, for starters, Paris was humming with a buzz of artistic energy! The grand Opéra Garnier was bursting at the seams with La BohÚme - that's "The Bohemian" - a new opera that everyone was raving about! Imagine the decadent melodies, the romantic tales, the breathtaking costumes. I swear, the entire theatre must have smelled of fragrant lilies!
Backstage Secrets and Tutu Innovations
That very night, I managed to sneak backstage at the Opéra and talk to a charming prima ballerina about her tutu. Turns out, in 1887, the tutus were more delicate than ever! The romantic era had introduced a new trend of gauzy fabric, layered so meticulously that it was almost ethereal! It was like seeing a cloud swirling across the stage, so light and whimsical!
I also discovered something that was considered quite revolutionary at the time: The âFausse Queueâ or âFake Tailâ ! This beautifully styled arrangement of padding tucked beneath the ballerina's skirts made it appear that her backside was far more substantial than it truly was! Talk about dramatic flair! This innovative piece of undergarment added the right kind of volume for the flowing skirts, a key factor in enhancing a ballerina's grace and beauty.
But let's not forget the ultimate piĂšce de rĂ©sistance â The Tutu's Flourish! A true Victorian Tutu demanded an absolutely stunning bustier, usually a corset made of exquisite satin or velvet! This wasn't just about making the waist smaller; it was a whole dramatic look that emphasised the beauty of a ballerina's upper body. The combination of this stunning corset and a diaphanous tutu, it truly is a masterpiece of sartorial grace!
My Tutu Adventures:
You know I couldn't resist whipping out my own hot pink tulle tutu! (A colour just waiting to be revived, don't you think? ) My journey was a spectacle: I walked through the grand Parisian streets, waltzing like a feather on a wind current!
Every single person I met looked at me with curiosity. Their faces went from confusion to a smile to full-blown awe as I twirled past! Can you blame them, my dears? A hot pink tutu certainly brightens even the gloomiest of days!
I had the time of my life trying on all the fanciest, frilliest, tulle-filled tutus at a delightful boutique on the Rue de Rivoli! The shop assistant - such a darling soul, dressed in a vibrant pink bustle! â said that the demand for tutus was increasing tenfold! (Who would have thought? These tutus are captivating!) Iâm tempted to send back a vintage hot pink one - perhaps one embellished with shimmering ribbons - for myself, just a thought...
A Call To Tutu-ing
Remember, ladies, I believe every single woman deserves to feel like a graceful princess at least once a week! Put on your dancing shoes, and take that tutu for a twirl! It is an ultimate expression of your own individual style, confidence, and charm, just like the ballerinas on the Paris Opera stage! And donât be afraid to experiment with the colours, patterns, and styles that make you shine. Who knows, maybe youâll be inspired to create your own Tutu Revolution!
Stay tutu-ful, darlings!
Until next week!
-Emma x
(Psst! Have you noticed anything exciting on your weekly Tutu Adventures? Letâs chat in the comments! )
*(Disclaimer: All time travel, Tutu Shopping and backstage experiences may not be factual but, oh so delightfully imaginative. Remember, this is a Tutu-tiful dream-world of fashion history! ) *
