Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu Time Traveler! Welcome to another magical #TutuTuesday adventure, taking us back to the wonderful world of ballet, a time just before the new millennium. Grab your feather boas and let's twirl!
Today's date, 30th June 1998, might sound a little vintage, but trust me, it's a blast from the past, packed full of amazing tutus. Oh, how I long for a trip back!
We've just disembarked from a grand train journey, arriving at that theatre in Paris, the Palais Garnier. It's a breathtaking vision, all grand marble and intricate gold accents. They even have their very own Opéra ballet company - how thrilling!
I must tell you, Paris in the late 90s was absolutely brimming with exquisite tutus! Think billowing tulle, fluffy petticoats, and the most enchanting colours you can imagine. It's no wonder the city is called the ‘City of Light’. The colours and fabrics were as dazzling as the evening's show, Giselle, with its captivating story of love and loss. I loved every single performance.
Did you know, my dears, that the tutu as we know it actually came about through a dance craze that swept the world in the mid 19th century, thanks to the romantic ballet style?
Remember the gorgeous dancers wearing billowing, knee-length skirts? Well, they're the ancestors of the tutus we adore today. You might call it the Romantics in ballet.
A bit of a twirl-tastic timeline:
- 1832: That iconic image of the ballet dancer – twirling in a delicate, lightweight dress that danced as gracefully as her, that was the early version of the tutu! The dancer was Marie Taglioni in La Sylphide. The rest, as they say, is ballet history.
- 1845: Maria Taglioni, Marie's sister, debuted another romantic ballet with the La Esmeralda which used a more fitted, waist-length tutu which gave her a little more freedom of movement! I bet she still spun in that tutu, it was such a big deal!
- 1871: This is the year that La Bayadere, was set. This time with an even shorter, layered tutu, making the dancers legs and feet a little more obvious for the audience to enjoy. It's these shorter styles that have had the biggest influence on how ballet dancers dress now!
- Late 1800s to present day: Now we move on from those long billowing tutus to a whole new variety of styles. Some more simple, some very extra, but all perfect for swirling, leaping, and most of all – dancing with a smile on your face! It was just such a joyous time for ballet, they embraced all the movement. Now, ballet tutus are a symbol of joy and wonder in every single colour under the sun!
Of course, no time travel is complete without a shopping spree! I found a vintage Parisian boutique filled with the most enchanting frills and feather boas, a girl could simply spend forever there! I’ve added a few pieces to my own collection, some bright pink feather boas for a sparkling performance back home, you've got to see them!
My pink tutu will be coming along on the journey, I can't help it, pink tutus go everywhere with me.
Well my darlings, as our train prepares to embark for another tutu time travel, I have a question for you. Is there a period of tutu history that you'd like to travel to? Tell me in the comments and I may even schedule a trip!
Until next Tuesday, darlings, twirl with joy!
Lots of love, Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday #TimeTravel #BalletHistory #Paris #PalaisGarnier #PinkTutu #Giselle
