Hello my darling Tutu-lovers!
Welcome back to my weekly voyage through the enchanting history of our beloved tutu! Today's date, July 10th, 1888, is a particularly fascinating one, as it marks a milestone in the evolution of the ballet world. So buckle up your pointe shoes, grab a cuppa (or maybe a sparkling pink lemonade - just picture it!) and let's waltz through the glorious world of 19th century tutus!
This week Iām writing this from the heart of Paris! How absolutely lovely, Iāve arrived by train this morning, imagine how gorgeous the train journey was, even just the anticipation of this city! Paris is simply bursting with culture, theatre, and let's not forget... fashion! As a ballerina, my life is all about beauty and artistry and this city, oh this city truly embraces these qualities with open arms.
Let me tell you about something that happened right here in this glorious city, back in 1888: The first performance of "La BayadĆØre" by Marius Petipa! Can you imagine the thrill? Imagine the atmosphere of that very first night! It's practically a sacred place in ballet history. La BayadĆØre brought with it an utterly revolutionary new style of tutu. Gone were the days of the full, stiff, layered tutu, and in their place came a new silhouette, more delicate, lightweight and flexible - this is what we know today as the " Romantic tutu."
What is a Romantic Tutu, you ask? Imagine a beautifully structured, shorter skirt, ending just below the knee, **with soft layers of tulle, sometimes featuring lovely little ruffles or intricate designs around the edges. It allowed dancers like a vision, allowing them to move gracefully, their every pirouette and jump almost as if they were gliding on air! This tutu would have been quite the sight in the grand theatres of the time, the light shimmering on the fabric... dreamy!
Isnāt this era a dream to behold? What really strikes me is the power of fashion and beauty, to drive so much creativity and innovation in dance, the movement was captivating! Now of course, that very same style influenced everything from theatre and costumes, to fashion of the time - can't you imagine the glorious silhouette of those ball gowns with their tulle flounces and their delicate, trailing train - simply lovely. It truly sparked a whirlwind of romantic, ethereal inspiration!
You know, it makes me think: Where will we be headed in the future? As ballet dancers, we're not just about steps and leaps - we are visionaries, our bodies instruments for art and emotions. Each tutu embodies a different tale, an emotion, a period in history... and just like this, it allows us to travel through time - imagine if every tutu could be a magic portal into a new story - wouldn't that be divine?!
Now I must go explore further. It wouldn't be a #TutuTuesday if I didnāt explore this exquisite city for something fabulous to wear. There are so many beautiful places here for fashion and it's simply a dream to wander the streets and indulge in fashion and couture, and you just never know what sartorial gems Iām going to unearth - imagine what fashion delights Paris holds! What better way to appreciate a historical era than to dress for the occasion? Iāve already got my eye on the most beautiful pink gown at a little boutique, and you just know Iāll be returning to my lovely apartment dressed to the nines for another wonderful performance later today! The excitement!
Do you have any thoughts about the āRomantic tutuā? Leave a comment below! What's your favourite type of tutu? And what's the most interesting piece of ballet history youāve ever come across?
* Until next week, stay chic and graceful!*
* Your friend in Pink, Emma*
www.pink-tutu.com
* P.S. * I'll be back with more historical insights and dazzling Tutu Tuesdays every week! Don't forget to share this post with your friends!
