Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler, bringing you another fabulous #TutuTuesday! Today, we're heading back to August 2nd, 1864, and trust me, the fashion scene was buzzing. I was lucky enough to catch the ballet performance of "La Fille mal gardée" at the Théâtre Impérial de l'Opéra in Paris, and let me tell you, it was a showstopper!
Now, I know what you're thinking - "1864? Tutues weren't even a thing then, Emma!". Wrong, my darling, wrong! The ballet world was already embracing the whimsical silhouette that we now know and adore. Of course, the tutus weren't quite the billowing clouds of tulle we have today. They were shorter, a little less frilly, and often made from layered muslin rather than tulle. Imagine a beautifully fitted bodice, a slightly shorter skirt, and all the grace and elegance you can pack into a dance. Pure magic, I tell you!
I must say, I did feel a tad underdressed amongst the Parisian ladies. You see, while I went with the traditional pink, they were decked out in their finest crinolines! Think structured silhouettes, massive skirts, and bonnets topped with feathers and flowers. The opulence was incredible! But what struck me most was the feeling of elegance that swept the room. We weren't just watching the ballet; we were part of a visual feast!
But the real star of the show, as always, was the dancing. "La Fille mal gardée," or "The Wayward Daughter," was a whirlwind of romantic story telling with clever choreographic moments. It's not surprising that it's still performed today - its charm is timeless!
Now, if we go back a few years to the 1830s, you'll find the tutus were more a full-length skirt and had quite a different construction than the short ones I've described. We were seeing more layering, experimenting with fabric, and a move towards the feminine silhouettes that really kicked off the tutu revolution. But hold your horses, dear readers, as this is all still quite the departure from the flowing skirts we see in ballet today. It all happened so gradually, like the unfolding of a flower!
It's interesting to note, too, that at this time, fashion wasn't just confined to the grand boulevards and opulent balls. The railway, that marvel of the modern world, was opening up travel for everyone, and with it, the possibility for fashion to move across the globe. And move it did! Paris, the center of the fashion world, was setting trends that were spreading like wildfire, reaching all corners of Europe, and even across the ocean to America.
The Victorians, oh they were so fond of their corsets, bonnets and lace. And I can't lie, I did fall a little bit in love with their style, although the restrictive nature of the corsetry did have me a little bit concerned! It seems ironic that a dancer would love the fashion of an era where movement was so restricted, but perhaps it's that juxtaposition that made it so alluring.
Of course, you can't discuss fashion without mentioning its price! Even in the Victorian era, staying fashionable was a game of luxury. Think of the hours and dedication involved in making all those layers of petticoats, skirts, and blouses! The fabric, the embroidery, the trim - the cost was astronomical! Even more so in the realm of ballet! You need not only a tutu that fits like a second skin but it also must move as fluidly as the dancer themself. We're talking an artistic expression beyond mere fashion!
To keep my own pink-tutu-wearing life on the go, I have to be practical! I supplement my ballet career (that’s the real job, don’t you know!) with some strategic dancing for donations. Think fundraisers, festivals, you name it. Sometimes I’m even lucky enough to be invited to teach a few dance classes! But it's all for the love of tutus, darling, all for the love of tutus!
And of course, the love of traveling by train! Don’t you just love those beautiful vintage carriages with their plush seats and romantic compartments? Perfect for soaking in the beauty of the landscape as you travel across countries! My latest adventure was through the charming hills of Derbyshire. There is just something about the quiet of the countryside that soothes my soul.
So there you have it, another wonderful peek into the world of tutus! This is the magic of history - reminding us that even though times change, the desire for elegance and grace will forever stay with us. And with my pink tutu as my constant companion, I can’t wait to share even more time travel adventures with you.
Don’t forget to join me next week, same time, same place for another thrilling #TutuTuesday! And don’t forget, pink is the only color, darlings, the only color!
Lots of love,
Emma.
x
