#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1895-09-24

Bonjour, darlings! It’s Emma here, back with another edition of your favourite ballet history blog – Tutu Tuesday! This week, we're taking a trip through time to a day of great importance in our favourite tutu story - September 24th, 1895.

Now, if you were to tell me in 1895 that I, Emma, would be time travelling in a pink tutu (which, as you know, is my absolute favourite colour) to give you, my wonderful readers, a peek into the world of ballet history, I'd think you were utterly bonkers! But here we are, my lovelies, and I’m ready to share another bit of tutu magic with you.

Right, I've popped my pink feather boa around my neck and tied a fabulous ribbon bow in my hair (matching, of course!), and I’m off to hop on the carriage... Oops, I mean the train, back to Paris.

So, dear readers, picture the scene – it's September 24th, 1895, in the glittering city of Paris. It's a beautiful autumn day with a touch of Parisian chic in the air, the smell of fresh pastries coming from a nearby bakery.

Today is a grand day indeed, as we celebrate the world premiere of “Le Lac des Cygnes” (“Swan Lake”) by Tchaikovsky, performed at the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra. And guess what, my lovelies? It is quite possibly the most gorgeous ballet performance of its time. It was truly spectacular!

Can you imagine seeing such beauty and grace on stage, especially seeing ballerinas like Marie Taglioni? Imagine a woman floating through the air, with the most elegant movements. It's like magic, darling! She is simply a dream! And the tutus! The sheer volume of fluffy tulle! It’s no wonder “Swan Lake” is a classic that will forever dance in our hearts.

After a truly spectacular performance, there was a dazzling array of lavish gowns, handsome men in elegant suits, and, of course, a plethora of Parisian ladies all sporting some lovely new hat trends – something I simply had to experience myself, even if the millinery had no room for a pink tutu!

The elegance of the dress was a feast for the eyes, with rich fabrics and intricate designs, but the main highlight was a dramatic, voluminous ball gown – definitely inspired by the extravagant stage costumes of that period!

Speaking of costume trends, let’s take a minute to discuss this extraordinary era in tutu design. Before the mid 19th century, ballerinas didn't even wear a “tutu” as we know it. The costume was long and heavy, with petticoats and ribbons - hardly suitable for graceful dance steps! It was more practical for waltzes than for delicate pointe work.

But, can you imagine the joy of a real dancer, finally getting to wear a light, flowing tulle tutu?! A creation that, despite being practically diaphanous, allowed her to move with freedom and grace. What a liberating piece of clothing, wouldn’t you agree? It truly paved the way for our own tutu fashion choices, darling.

So, in this magnificent age of "Le Lac des Cygnes", and the new “Romantic era” tutus, I couldn't resist joining the crowds of eager audience members flocking to Paris to witness this masterpiece! The city is positively buzzing with excitement about the newest creations and trends from Parisian designers - truly an inspiration!

This week, dear reader, you'll see that I have embraced the Parisian fashion and have incorporated some delicate lace and the most beautiful ruffles around my lovely pink tutu, making me a perfect match for the charming and gracious elegance of the French capital.

Now, as I said, I fund these delightful adventures through my own performances! Luckily, this era has a great demand for both opera and ballet, and I'm just as skilled at dancing as the most famous prima ballerina in Paris! (After all, I just have to be good if I’m wearing this special tutu!)

Of course, with a tutu this lovely, I also have a grand time performing street dances on Parisian streets as a little, er, I mean big treat for my audience, who have just returned from seeing a fabulous opera. (You have to try it, darling - everyone loves street theatre. You never know who might want to hire you for their next performance!)

Of course, my travelling through time requires a great deal of organization and coordination... let’s just say that if anyone is wondering why you've spotted an unusual amount of Pink Tutud dressed women around the world, well, it’s probably me, darlings! I’ve got some big plans for the world and its taste in pink tulle, darling.

This has been your Tutu Tuesday history lesson. I hope you have a truly fabulous week and that you take inspiration from this most beautiful time in dance history and embrace your own individual style and a sprinkle of pink-tutu-ness!

Until next week, stay fashionable and always keep that passion for ballet close to your heart.

With a twirl and a smile, Emma, xx

Please note: This fictional blog post does not necessarily represent historical accuracy. Emma’s experiences and descriptions of ballet, costumes, and fashion are for entertainment and whimsical storytelling. It is meant to evoke a fun and nostalgic spirit in honour of Tutu Tuesday.