Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another edition of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. Today's journey whisks us away to a different era, and a very special date indeed – September 4th, 1888! Buckle up your dancing shoes and prepare to be swept away by a whirlwind of fashion and ballet!
Post Number: 2958
I simply can't get enough of exploring the past and discovering the origins of our beloved tutus! As always, you can find all my historical adventures on my website, www.pink-tutu.com – it's like a virtual fashion time machine! This week, however, my time travel escapades took me straight to Paris, the undisputed queen of ballet and fashion. And let me tell you, the French in the late 1800s truly knew how to put on a show!
Now, the year is 1888, and September 4th is a rather exciting day for dance lovers. You see, at the Opéra Garnier, Paris is in a flutter over the première of "La Esmeralda," a brand new ballet based on the beloved Victor Hugo novel.
Can you imagine the anticipation in the air? Imagine the velvet-lined seats, the murmur of whispers, and the electric hum as the orchestra tunes its instruments. It’s the same feeling I get when I watch a premiere in London or New York, but even more magical knowing this is a world premiere, something completely new!
The whole world was looking to Paris for fashion, for culture and the theatre. In fact, there's quite a story about this theatre! It was a huge undertaking, so much so it took 15 years to build! It was almost too grand for its own good, and it seems the architect, Charles Garnier, had more grand ambitions, he actually wanted a third storey, but the Parisian authorities refused! They could only build so many large scale beautiful buildings, there are a lot of wonderful palaces, museums and, of course, the Eiffel Tower!
Anyway, it seems the world agrees, the Garnier Theatre is magnificent and the best place to see new works and of course a wonderful place to show off new fashion designs and trends! So, everyone flocked to Paris, the rich, the fashionable, the aristocracy and those hoping to catch a glimpse of something special! There was a constant buzz about what they would see and where they would be seen!
And that brings me back to my trip on September 4th 1888!
I am simply gushing over the tutus of the time! Let me paint a picture for you: the ballerina dances gracefully onstage, her delicate tutu made from layers upon layers of soft tulle. It was a simpler, shorter tutu than the ones we're used to now, it was just a beautiful fluffy circle around the dancers waist and hips. It moved and flowed so beautifully with each gesture, it's easy to see why this look became iconic! Oh, how I wish I could twirl on that Parisian stage, feeling the exquisite silk whisper against my skin. Imagine – I’d choose a tutu in my signature pink, of course!
Talking about my signature pink, 1888 saw pink blossom as the colour of elegance! Imagine! Can you imagine everyone wearing pink? What a stunning sea of gorgeousness it would be. From elaborate gowns adorned with silk flowers to those breathtaking, intricately beaded ballet slippers - oh, the details are simply divine!
After enjoying the performance, I made sure to take a trip to the grand salons of Parisian fashion houses. They are truly places of enchantment, showcasing the latest trends, fabrics and accessories. The stores, the showrooms - everything was a beautiful tapestry of beautiful silks, velvets, satins and of course the fluffiest tulles you can imagine. I couldn’t help but browse the intricate bonnets, the gloves that go just past the elbow, and those oh-so-elegant dresses with their delicate ruffles and beautiful pleats! My head swam with all the amazing possibilities!
My visit to 1888 has been nothing short of an inspiring journey! You can feel the beginnings of the grand ballet tradition as we know it now - there's a raw passion and artistry in everything! From the elegant costumes to the powerful storytelling in the performance, ballet really was something special at the time, and I want you all to see what I mean. Let's explore this together, go and see a show, get inspired and share it with me! I love hearing your thoughts, sharing my adventures with you is truly a joy. So tell me – are you ready to step back in time with me next week? Where do you think I'll go? What tutu dreams shall we discover? Until next time, stay fabulous!
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See you next week!
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
