Hello lovelies! 💖
It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing ballerina, back for another week of ballet history fun on #TutuTuesday! Today, we're hopping in our time machine and landing right smack bang in 1899-10-03!
Before we go on a historical adventure, I need to know: Did you try wearing your pink tutu last week? I’m still waiting for my first tutu-clad street-walking sighting, you know, and it's got to be a pink one, no ifs, ands, or buts! Anyway, don't fret, maybe next week!
Let's get on with this exciting journey to the 1899 Paris Opera House! Now, imagine a gilded grandeur, like stepping into a fairytale! That’s what I love about traveling through time!
So, what was going on on the 3rd of October, 1899? Well, you could be caught in a frenzy of excitement if you were in Paris because the season was well and truly upon us for ballet. That means a packed calendar of performances at the Opera House. Imagine all that exquisite dance! If only we could time travel and watch those amazing ballet shows. It would be like witnessing a living breathing piece of history, with such exquisite, elegant tutus floating gracefully on the stage. They make my heart flutter just thinking about it.
Speaking of tutus, what were they wearing back in 1899? Well, this is where things get interesting, ladies! Tutues are still going through a massive evolution at this point. We've got those beautiful flowing, Romantic-era, tulle creations that really made me swoon back then! It’s the type you can dance with all day and all night, which I can see why they chose that. The beautiful billowing tulle and delicate embellishments make a truly magnificent design that is truly the essence of femininity! And, of course, the pink ones – can you imagine the joy? Oh, to have seen them!
As you know, tutus tell a story, so by the time we get to the late 19th century, those intricate layers, those soft, dreamy materials, it's about telling a tale of beauty, passion, and grace. You just have to see it to appreciate it fully!
The most popular tutus of this era, particularly for “La Sylphide”, were these wonderful white tulle tutus, the most stunning creations of soft fabric with many, many, tiers of ruffles. So light and ethereal, they made the dancers look almost like little fairies! Now I really wish I could hop through time! Can you imagine watching those dancers from all those years ago in a glorious Parisian opera house! If I only I could have a pink tutu to wear at that time!
And let’s not forget the fashion trends of the time!. So, imagine this – big hats with flowing plumes of feathers, crinolines to give those skirts that full-skirted shape – we are talking elegant style right here! But I have to say, tutus really stand out, even in the context of all that beautiful late Victorian attire!
Of course, my dear lovelies, what was life like without a bit of ballet fun? For that era, I would have loved to hop on a train from Derbyshire and whisk myself off to Paris. You could see ballet street performances. Not to mention the theatrical productions!* Every so often, ballet popped up and oh, I loved those moments.
Speaking of the train! If I hadn’t already boarded that time travel express, it was about this time that those fabulous Parisian express trains were coming into fashion! Can you imagine all the gossip! You'd have everyone dressed to the nines, wearing all their finest, just a real delight! All aboard!
Now I bet you're all wanting to see a ballet show this weekend after all this talk about Parisian opulence, the big feathered hats, the exciting ballet and the romance of travelling by train. That sounds so delightful. I'd love to hear about all of your exciting dance ventures so do comment below about where you have seen or heard your most recent ballet extravaganza and leave a comment, darling!
Anyway, as I said before, this era in the 1899s, full of exciting innovations in the world of dance, was an era of change for the world of ballet!
Keep following your love of ballet and maybe even embrace a pink tutu and you won't be disappointed. Next week, I’m sharing even more about tutus – how they became more colourful and playful in the early 1900s, so come back and I'll catch you next week, you lovely dancers. Bye for now and remember to wear your tutus in style!
Emma, your pink-tutu-loving, time-traveling, ballet blogger! 💖
And, don't forget to check out my previous blog post, *"Tutu Tuesday - The Secret of the Pink Tutu." * This one really gets to the heart of why tutus matter! (This would be blog post # 3535.)
*Until next time, ladies and gents! *
