Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where tutus are the star of the show! It's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time to delve into the delightful history of our favourite dancewear! This week, we're travelling back to September 16th, 1856, just in time to witness the Parisian premiere of a most spectacular ballet - Le Corsaire. Can you believe, my dears, this fabulous production features the first ever use of a tutu in the tutti sense of the word! That's right, it was on this date, that the iconic tutu, the wispy and wondrous symbol of dance, truly made its debut. I, your fashionably pink-tutu clad, time-traveling blogger, Emma, just had to take a trip back in time to experience it all!
Imagine, my lovely readers, stepping out of my trusty time machine in the heart of Paris. I feel so perfectly Parisian, especially with this delightful blush pink tutu billowing around me. (I must confess, even in 1856, I managed to find some lovely pink ribbons in a charming little haberdashery! Such exquisite silk!). But let's get back to that incredible performance. Le Corsaire took the Paris Opera stage by storm, showcasing some spectacular feats of athleticism from the dancers, particularly in the stunning tutus worn for the 'odalisque' dance. Now, before we get too carried away, it's important to remember this wasn't your modern-day tutu, darling. It wasn't short and flirty, like our modern versions, oh no. It was longer, more like a ballet skirt with a lot of gathered layers. You might even say, a 'mini' version of the romantic era tutus we have been swooning over for so long. But even though the design was different, the effect was pure magic! Imagine the sheer volume, the gentle movement of the layered fabrics, as the dancers twirled and leaped with such elegance! Sigh.
Speaking of sighing, dear readers, Le Corsaire wasn't the only treat I found myself indulging in on this journey back in time. Shopping for a new pair of ballet shoes in a charming little boutique just off the Rue de Rivoli was an absolute delight! I must say, even though fashion was more restrained in 1856, there were still glimpses of the dramatic flair we love! And can you believe, even back then, Paris was already a haven for everything that's pink. My goodness! Every store, it seemed, was filled with delightful, blush-tinted frills and bows, exactly like a little piece of my own personal heaven!
Speaking of delightful treats, darling readers, did you know this historical day is actually the anniversary of the famous pastry madeleine, and wouldn't you know, this delectable little treat, known for its iconic, slightly shell-shaped design, has long been an integral part of French life and such a beautiful treat! Just imagine nibbling on a madeleine in a bustling French cafe as you watch the world go by. (It's a bit like having one of these lovely sweet treats in your hand when watching a delightful ballet performance. Perfection.)
As you may have guessed, I fell completely enchanted by Paris, even in 1856. The energy of the city, the architecture, and yes, even the fashions! Even before tutus went mainstream, there was this underlying romanticism and desire to dance, which you could sense in the air - a tangible reminder of just how powerful dance truly is. This was just the first whisper, the first hint of this powerful dancewear.
Remember, dears, my aim in life is to get everyone to wear a pink tutu! (Don't worry, if you aren't so keen on pink, I encourage you to try any color! A splash of red? A dash of yellow? It’s your moment, my dear, own it!)
For this particular journey, I went by train. The speed and the elegance, the chugging of the steam engine, the gentle sway of the carriages... there is nothing like a trip on the train! A proper time-traveling adventure always involves train travel. (My favourite carriage to travel in is one with lots of lovely comfy seating.)
Now, dears, back to Le Corsaire. It wasn’t just about the tutus, it was a spectacle to be seen! This fabulous, romantic ballet has become such a ballet classic, a favourite on the stage for centuries now, and one that makes me wonder about all the other beautiful tutus that came after it! As I say every #TutuTuesday: it’s such an adventure to look back on this long and incredible dancewear journey, with a simple but striking piece like the tutu - it was a revolution, it was magic, and most importantly, it's here to stay, my loves! So get those twirls going, those pirouettes ready, and go out there, wear that fabulous pink tutu and rock this dance world!
Until next time, my darling dancers! Stay tutu-ful!
Love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
