Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, and I'm so delighted to be back for another #TutuTuesday adventure on the glorious www.pink-tutu.com. This week we're going back in time to 1856-02-05, a date bursting with historical dance delights, so put on your fanciest tutus and hold on tight because we're about to embark on a trip to Paris!
Today is the grand opening of the Grand Opera House on the Boulevard des Capucines. Now, the Paris Opera House has always been the heart of dance and glamour, but this new venue promises to be truly spectacular. Imagine a place with chandeliers that shimmer like a thousand stars, balconies adorned with velvet drapes, and a stage so vast that you could fit a whole carriage and horses on it! The opening night performance, "The Prophet," is a grand opera by Giacomo Meyerbeer, full of exciting arias and beautiful sets. And naturally, ballet plays a huge part in the performance - imagine swirling tutus and graceful leaps right in the middle of all that grand opera magic!
You might be wondering - what's the link between tutus and this opening? Well, darlings, this was the year of 1856 - and as you know, 1856 was the year that the modern tutu burst onto the scene, transforming the world of ballet! It's a story I absolutely love to tell. Back in those days, dancers wore longer, draping skirts. They were all frilly and beautiful but did very little to show off the delicate grace of those ballerinas' moves.
Now, can you picture it? The grand opening night of the Opera House. The air hums with excitement, anticipation bubbling under the dazzling chandeliers. A dancer steps onto the stage... But hold on, what’s that? Instead of the floor-length frills, her skirt ends above the knee, just skimming the ankles! She leaps and twirls with a freedom the world had never seen. It's Marie Taglioni herself, wearing the new style of tutu. The gasp of the audience is heard across the streets. The modern era of dance is upon us, and you just know it. This tutu, with its elegant layers, light fabric, and playful short design, changed the way we see dance. This new tutu was made for leaping, swirling, and expressing every ounce of artistic freedom!
You see, back in those days, dance and fashion were inseparable, especially in Paris. They went hand in hand, each inspiring and influencing the other. The tutu didn't simply adorn the dancers; it revolutionised ballet and the way we view elegance itself.
But even though tutus were all the rage, the whole story wouldn't be complete without the pink. Remember those vibrant pink hues we see on our favourite modern ballerinas today? This vibrant colour had to start somewhere, and I think we can find the very start of it here. Remember those delicate shades of pastel rose that were fashionable for evening wear around this time? It wouldn't be long until these beautiful, delicate shades of rose would start influencing the design and colouring of the tutus themselves. Think fluffy clouds, sunset hues, the soft bloom of a rose - * they all blend together to create the glorious pinks we love today! We might be years away from a *full-fledged pink tutu revolution, but we’re definitely on the right track!
To give you a taste of how fashion intertwined with dance in this glorious era, let's take a little peek at what's trending in the world of clothing for the fairer sex.
Ladies are rocking crinolines! You know those stiff skirts that stand out like an upside-down mushroom? They're adding extra volume to dresses and making them look wonderfully dramatic.
Puff sleeves are still huge, literally. We’re all about adding more volume to those lovely upper arms, showcasing that beautiful, delicate shape.
Bodices are becoming tighter, adding a touch of figure-hugging drama. It's all about making the waist smaller and emphasising those delicate feminine curves, perfectly mirroring the flowing shapes of the tutus on the dance floor.
And how about those trains, ladies? Those cascading trails of silk are making a major appearance at balls and parties - think graceful trains trailing behind elegant ladies at these grand galas, reminiscent of the cascading ribbons on the tutus! There's no better way to feel like royalty, whether you're dancing in a grand ballet performance or walking to a carriage, with that gorgeous flow of material behind you.
As you can imagine, it's such a thrill to travel to this time period - the thrill of exploring a new city, watching dancers whirl on stage, admiring the beautifully-dressed people and just taking it all in! It's an amazing blend of grace and grandeur that makes my heart leap for joy, especially when you're surrounded by all these beautiful pink dresses. I can't wait to head out to my favourite stores for some more fashion inspiration! And the best part of it all is that I can do it all in my own little pink tutu. There is truly no greater joy than watching these talented dancers in all their glory, twirling with exquisite precision and feeling that infectious spirit of performance!
And now, for a little Parisian indulgence. Oh my dear, don't you simply adore those macarons? Imagine tiny cakes, in every colour of the rainbow, each shell painted with shimmering pearl dust. What's not to adore?! A quick pastry break is always a delightful experience, isn't it?
And before we say goodbye, darling, it’s time to go into full fashion mode and choose this week’s colour palette to match our Parisian visit. Let’s use those rich, elegant shades from our ballet stars, along with those shimmering pinks from those exquisite pastries and beautiful evening dresses - imagine those beautiful dusty rose tones, paired with soft lavender accents, with just a touch of emerald green peeking out for an extra pop of colour! I'm sure I don't need to remind you that it's time to find your pink tutu, and if it’s in those perfect rosy shades, well, then you’ve found the perfect ensemble! Remember - I'm always here on www.pink-tutu.com for inspiration. I look forward to hearing about all the pink outfit combinations you’re creating, so please don’t forget to post on social media with the hashtag #TutuTuesday, I can’t wait to see all of you glamorous fashionistas!
As usual, we’ll be back here next Tuesday with another captivating trip through ballet history!
Until then, Keep it pink!
Emma xoxo
