Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, and guess what? It's another #TutuTuesday and that means another glorious jaunt through the history of tutus. Today, my trusty time machine whisks me to September 22nd, 1891, and my, oh my, what a fascinating journey awaits! We're going to be venturing through the grand halls of Paris this time, a city brimming with elegance and extravagance, where the ballet is enjoying a truly golden age!
(Image: A beautiful picture of a young Emma, dressed in a glorious pink tutu, standing before the Moulin Rouge with a joyful, sparkling expression on her face.)
As you all know, my absolute favourite time for tutus was in the 19th century, especially in Paris. Think big, swirling skirts of tulle, lavish embellishments, and designs so dreamy you'd swear they were from a fairytale! These were the days of the romantic ballet, and I simply can't get enough of the delicate elegance and heartfelt emotions that they embodied. It's no wonder that Parisian dancers are renowned worldwide. Their grace, their finesse - simply divine!
Now, let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? September 22nd, 1891, in Paris. A balmy autumn evening, and all eyes are on the Palais Garnier for the much-anticipated premiere of a new work called āLa Sourceā. I'm definitely not the only one in the city thrilled to be witnessing the artistry of this talented troupe. Imagine the thrill, the anticipation as the audience settled in, anticipating a dazzling performance from one of the leading ballet companies of the era, the Ballet de lāOpĆ©ra de Paris. The atmosphere, my darlings, was simply electric.
(Image: A vintage engraving depicting a bustling scene of a theatrical premiere at the Palais Garnier. A crowd is excitedly making its way through the grand entrance with their ornate gowns and suits. Some gaze towards the buildingās architecture and its distinctive dome.)
It wasnāt only in grand theaters, my friends, that the ballet was stealing hearts! In Paris, ballet was literally everywhere you turned, from the gorgeous OpĆ©ra to intimate salons. These smaller performances often had a decidedly āsalonā feel, light and whimsical. You could expect to see a delicate selection of dancers, some of them with incredible stage presence, all wearing the most beautifully crafted and delicate tutus, which seemed to float across the stage.
(Image: A romantic, almost ethereal photograph of a Parisian drawing-room filled with ladies and gentlemen. A group of dancers dressed in beautiful white tutus perform an elegant, lighthearted dance, with charming smiles and playful steps. It is a snapshot of elegance and joyous performance.)
It wasn't only ballet performances that drew attention to these gorgeous tutus. They became the centrepiece of fashion trends of the period, being adapted to evening gowns and social events. They truly symbolized grace and feminine elegance, adding a delightful touch to a variety of events. It's as though Parisian fashionistas couldn't resist a bit of a "ballet twist" to their outfits! The whole of Europe, it seemed, was falling head over heels for tutus and that, my darling friends, is no small feat.
(Image: A beautiful sketch depicting a woman in a elegant salon in Paris wearing a fashionable gown with an intricately pleated, and very dramatic, layered tulle skirt inspired by ballet costumes.)
(Image: A collage depicting images from fashion magazines around this time period showcasing a range of elegant evening gowns incorporating layers of tulle and detailed embellishments, evoking the style of a ballet tutu.)
Speaking of a grand feat, I have some exciting news! Iām so excited to announce that, in a stunning feat of time travel, I have obtained some actual materials that were used in making some of these truly unique 19th century Parisian tutus! I am going to show them off in a future blog post - make sure you keep checking my website and my social media channels! Youāll be so jealous youāll want to take a trip to my time-travelling trunk too!
(Image: A captivating image of a luxurious velvet-lined travel trunk open wide, revealing an assortment of antique materials in pale colours and sparkling sequins, some delicately sewn with vintage thread and embellishments, looking both ethereal and delicate, giving a peek into the world of the time and evoking the feeling of a cherished heirloom.)
I truly hope my adventures through ballet history are inspiring you all to embrace the power of the tutu! A good pink tutu can truly brighten anyoneās day, and thereās nothing quite like twirling in one. Until next time, my dearest tutu lovers! Keep dancing and, of course, always keep it pink!
And, don't forget to let me know what your favorite tutu era is and why, down in the comments below!
Lots of love,
Emma xx
P.S. I am off to enjoy the world-famous shopping streets of Paris later this afternoon! You can be sure Iām heading for a spot of tutu-inspired fashion. I shall tell you all about my finds next week, so donāt miss out!
