Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where history comes alive in a twirl! I'm Emma, your bubbly Derbyshire ballerina blogger, and today, we're stepping back in time to September 9th, 1884. Now, you might think Paris in 1884 would be all corseted ladies and bustles, and you wouldn't be entirely wrong. BUT, darling, we're here to discover the hidden treasures of leotard fashion, those whisper-soft fabrics and sleek lines waiting to be discovered!
This month, I'm taking my magical, pink-sparkling time-travel leotard to the City of Lights! (Isn't it the perfect destination for a ballet-obsessed girl?) Now, I might not be able to slip into a pair of the infamous corseted ball gowns (oh, how I long for that particular experience!), but I can find myself among those dazzling leotards, the ones made for the graceful world of the ballet.
As I arrive in Paris, I find myself drawn to the "Théâtre de l'Opéra", the opulent opera house built in the 18th century, now the epitome of Parisian beauty. Oh, my, the whispers of silk and satin swirling around the performers...the elegance!
The fashion scene at the opera house was absolutely mesmerising! The ladies in the audience, those who weren't enjoying a grand performance on stage, were draped in their finest fabrics. Lush velvet gowns, flowing silks and dramatic bustles were all the rage, but what stole my attention were the subtle pops of colour on these ladies' innerwear. The corset and chemise underneath all those lovely dresses were adorned with dainty pink silk ribbons and lace, a touch of softness and colour peeking out here and there, a beautiful little nod to the emerging trend of romanticism!
And now, a peek behind the velvet curtain…
Onstage, the dancers were moving like liquid gold in their leotards! Unlike today’s bright, vibrant leotards, these were delicate, ethereal, made from soft, fine fabrics. Their sheer, almost skin-toned materials emphasized their graceful movements, and, my dear, what elegance! Those flowing silks! They danced with the wind!
Their colours were equally subdued – think elegant muted shades of ivory, cream, and beige. I love the romantic touch they bring to the stage, it was such a sweet and delicate dance of expression. It was almost a visual poetry of movement.
One of the ballerinas, who looked simply captivating, was wearing a deep maroon leotard. It had the tiniest detail – a simple velvet ribbon in the most exquisite shade of pink at the waist. It was so perfectly feminine, it made my heart sing! It's those little details that truly make a statement. This tiny, graceful ribbon tied to the waist really captured my eye! I could just see how it would flutter gently in the spotlight during a performance, almost as if a whisper of the Parisian fashion scene had found its way to the stage!
Leaving the opera house, I decide to take a stroll through the heart of Parisian fashion, the Rue de Rivoli. It is here, at the bustling heart of Paris, that I witness the subtle changes in the world of lingerie. The French designers were becoming so daring with their design, daringly flirting with a hint of colour peeking through beneath the sheerest fabrics. I mean, don’t you think just the suggestion of pink in such a refined setting was quite subversive? A touch of vibrant rebellion beneath all that beautiful refinement, It felt positively electric!
In this whirlwind of Parisian charm and historical fashion, I am reminded once more that it’s all about the details, the little touches, and, oh yes, the perfect pop of pink!
So, as I wave goodbye to this time period, remember, dear readers, fashion is a dance through the ages, a whisper of trends and styles carried on the winds of time. Even back in 1884, Parisian fashion, though seemingly simple, hinted at a touch of that exquisite pink, a subtle but ever-present element of colour, of romance and charm. It's in those delicate nuances that fashion truly flourishes!
And that, my darling readers, is exactly why you need a pink tutu! Until next time, stay sparkling and remember, your pink tutu can take you anywhere, any time, as long as you have the imagination and the spirit!
Join me next month on www.pink-tutu.com, for a journey to another fabulous era! And if you love ballet as much as I do, be sure to support my street performances, they’re the way I fund these fabulous adventures! You might even see me sporting a stunning pink tutu there, just a hint of that Parisian flair on the streets of London! See you then!
