Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your resident tutu-obsessed time traveller, and welcome back to my weekly ballet tutu history blog! Today, I'm whisking us back to the enchanting year of 1888. Put on your fanciest pair of ballet shoes, grab a cup of tea, and settle in for a captivating journey into the world of tutus!
Oh my, I've got to tell you all about this trip. I found myself on a luxurious train journey from London to Paris, you know, that quintessential romantic journey - the "Orient Express" they call it! It's all so dreamy with plush velvet seats and charming window views that just inspire endless stories! You wouldn't believe how excited I was, clutching my trusty tutu, naturally.
This date in 1888, well, it marks a truly fascinating period for ballet. You see, in Paris, the most divine of theatres, the Opéra Garnier (such elegance!) is bursting with performances of Giselle, the iconic ballet about love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Imagine, it’s almost 100 years old and still captivating audiences today! Now that's what I call timeless grace.
And you know what makes this even more enchanting? The dancers in their beautiful tutus! They are so full and delicate, just like billowing clouds of spun sugar! I imagine it takes an incredible amount of strength to leap and twirl in such a magnificent design, with all those layers of tulle, it must be quite a challenge! But these dancers make it look oh so effortless! It just shows you what a special piece of history these tutus really are.
Back in London, the ballet scene is in full swing too. But what makes it particularly exciting is the popularity of the Russian dancers. We're seeing some truly phenomenal ballet companies making their mark, and, let's be honest, their performances are quite breathtaking, and quite honestly, the Russian tutu has its own charm. They tend to be much shorter and less fussy, they show off more of the dancer's leg lines, a style that speaks to the power of precision and grace, all whilst still oozing with captivating feminine charm! Oh how I love seeing this mix of elegance and powerful movement on the stage.
The ballet scene here is bustling with the excitement of these new dance styles and the introduction of these powerful, exciting new dancers. And to think, it’s not just the Opera House that’s hosting ballet shows. There's an array of theaters from Covent Garden, with its glamorous Italianate interiors, to the newly constructed Alhambra, famous for its spectacular grand illusions, that are making ballet accessible to everyone!
Fashion plays such a key role in ballet, it goes without saying, darling, but for 1888 it's like a whirlwind of change. You've got corsets and big puffy sleeves, but these long skirts and boned bodices are becoming a bit too restrictive, and just you wait, they will be getting shorter and looser by the decade, as you shall see in later blog posts. And just you watch this move to free flowing, movement embracing fashions that’s going to have a major impact on the design of tutus too!
I spent this whole trip flitting around Paris, from the famous Louvre museum to a gorgeous Parisian boutique, dreaming of tulle, taffeta and velvet - you can imagine! All the fabric I could ever dream of, it really is an absolute paradise! And I just had to purchase some new tutus, obviously! They're absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to showcase them on our next #TutuTuesday, it's gonna be spectacular! You’re just going to love it. But trust me, darling, a Parisian salon isn't all about bows and ribbons. It's about understanding the culture, about how it shapes the way these glorious, ethereal designs take shape. It's truly captivating to see the influence that society's views on fashion, especially fashion in this period where women are pushing for change, is going to impact the evolution of the tutus as we know it today!
So, darling tutus, tell me! Are you as excited for next week as I am? I'll be taking you on a time travelling adventure into the Victorian age! I'll be exploring all the things that are going to influence the styles and fashions in dance - so buckle your metaphorical ballet shoes darling and join me next Tuesday at www.pink-tutu.com ! See you then, and remember to rock that tutu! #PinkTutu #TimeTravelingTutu # BalletHistory #TutuLove
