Hello darlings! It's Emma here, and welcome back to Pink Tutu! Today's adventure takes us right back to the 3rd of March 1822. Fancy that!
My trusty steed, the magnificent Magic Meg, with her pink sparkling coat, golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, was pawing the ground impatiently this morning, a mischievous twinkle in her big brown eyes. This little beauty knows when a ballet adventure is calling, and this one, darling, was simply irresistible!
Buckle up for some glorious ballet history because today we are swirling right back to the heart of 19th-century ballet! My backpack was packed and ready, a swirling mess of ribbons, feathers, and who knows what other magical ballet bits I might stumble across today.
So, picture this! We arrived in Paris, oh la la, right into the heart of the French capital's vibrant cultural scene! You see, 1822 was an exciting time for ballet. There was such a passion for dance then, the way I feel about ballet now. There was a buzz around the ballet companies that was just intoxicating. I could feel it in the air. And you know what's fascinating about time travel? You can sense the emotions and passions that existed in each era. It's like a delicious ballet-flavored mist you just soak up and dance in!
One thing I always do, before anything else, is check out what was on at the theatres. That's where you get the real pulse of what was hot and happening!
At the Paris Opéra, darling, I felt a rush of pure excitement. There was a production of "La Fille mal gardée" playing. Now, "La Fille mal gardée", literally the “Ill-guarded Girl”, is one of the most adorable ballet stories! This tale, as light as a ballerina's step, revolves around a charming girl named Lise who is forbidden from marrying the young man she loves. She's caught between her father who wants to arrange a "suitable" marriage, and her heart. I just loved the innocent charm of it, a real slice of rural French life.
As I wandered the boulevards, I caught glimpses of a little troupe of dancers, performing for the public right outside a small theatre. These talented souls were practicing their "pas de bourrée" (think sassy footwork and bouncy steps), their silk skirts swishing as they practiced. This kind of street ballet is something that's really grown in popularity today, and seeing it right there, in that 1822 Parisian street was quite special.
As the sun started its descent, the air buzzed with anticipation for the evening's performance at the Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique I found myself sitting in the plush, red velvet seat, the air thick with anticipation, my senses heightened. A ballet named "Le Docteur et les Femmes", was what everyone was eagerly awaiting. You know, those French ballet titles, so evocative and descriptive, I just adore them.
After the show, it was off to The Palais Royal! Such a lively spot in those days, and right now it was awash with fashion, oh my goodness! Such flamboyant attire! Women, their hair styled with elaborate ringlets and decorated with ornate combs. The gentlemen, dapper as can be, sporting frock coats and colourful cravats, all chattering away with enthusiasm about their day, or that show at the Opera, a scene I could definitely get used to!
Now, this was the part of the trip I had been really looking forward to! In 1822, the tutu had begun to evolve! That magical garment that makes every ballerina feel like she could take flight! You might have guessed, my darlings, that the inspiration came from France - after all, it is the country of chic and sophisticated style.
Before the 19th Century, the dresses worn for dancing were longer, quite cumbersome to dance in. They would drag across the floor. Then came the new-age tutu. Lighter! Less restrictive! And oh, how they made dancing so much more expressive! A real turning point in the world of ballet fashion, I must say. The shorter, multilayered skirts allowed for freedom of movement. Imagine, dear reader, being able to show off your elegant footwork without being bogged down in yards and yards of material. This innovation was all about revealing the graceful lines of the dancer, making the movement much more expressive, almost magical, like it was meant to be!
The tutus, some a graceful, swirling length, and some shorter and poofier (you have to imagine the way they might have swayed and billowed as the dancers moved, their soft ruffles floating and rustling) and some decorated with layers of netting were just incredible to look at! It really set the scene for some truly stunning dancing!
Back then, there was less color variety. There was lots of white and ivory - I would have loved to see my signature pink added to the mix. In the grand traditions of ballets from the era, like La Sylphide (1832), they were mainly wearing soft and delicate shades of pale, blush pink or lilac, but even in their pale colors, those tutus were a visual feast. They really added to the graceful storytelling of ballet!
I felt like I'd been transported to a fashionista’s paradise. And guess what? My backpack now had some exquisite vintage tutus tucked into it! And I can just picture how beautiful these ballet dresses would be with a touch of my pink in them.
This journey, my darlings, was about more than just the fabulous fashion, It was about experiencing the evolution of ballet, seeing the passion and innovation, understanding how ballet changed the world of art, culture and society, even if only a little at a time.
Now, I need to start packing my tutus away. That lovely Meg, she needs her rest, and so do I, we're on to another ballet adventure, soon! Until then, let me know what your favorite part of this post was.
Always be fabulous, and never forget to spread the pink-tutu love!
Love, Emma xx
P.S Visit www.pink-tutu.com for more exciting ballet adventures!
