Hello my darling dears! It's Emma here, your pink-loving, tutu-wearing time travelling blogger, bringing you a special edition of Tutu Tuesday. Buckle up buttercup, we're about to take a trip back in time, specifically to August 23rd, 1864!
Oh, what a magnificent year this was, my loves! You know me, I'm a creature of history, so I just had to see the ballet scene firsthand, and I wasn't disappointed! The whole world seemed to be twirling, leaping and pirouetting. From Vienna to Paris to, of course, my own darling London, there was ballet everywhere you looked.
Imagine my delight, darling, to find myself on a particularly delightful Tuesday (yes, even back then they had a Tutu Tuesday!), nestled amongst the grand ladies of Paris, their shimmering silk gowns sparkling like the city lights. It was at the Opéra Garnier - a theatre absolutely breathtaking in its grandeur. The gilded ceilings, the velvet seats, it was all pure Parisian glamour!
Now, you might be wondering, darling, what the ballet scene was like back then? Well, you'd be absolutely astonished. Think Auguste Vestris, think Marie Taglioni, think the ethereal La Sylphide, the very embodiment of romantic ballet. A real Belle Epoque in ballet, darling, an era of light, delicate, romantic pieces where tutus played a prominent role. Imagine ballerinas gracefully gliding across the stage in clouds of tulle, like floating, ethereal fairies. You'd see this enchanting style every night at the Opera Garnier. The sheer spectacle, the intricate costuming - it's no wonder it's a style I still love so much, don't you think, dears?
But how do we tie in those beautiful tutus, darling? Well, let's dive a bit deeper. Back in 1864, the classic tutu shape was already in its formative years, evolving from the earlier versions. Gone were the voluminous, layered skirts. Instead, imagine a flowing cloud of fabric, a perfect circle that skimmed the ballerina's figure, just the right length to let the legs twirl and leap, a dance with the air itself!
You can just imagine, darling, how perfectly a ballerina's leg would soar when dressed in a magnificent pink tutu (just a little sneak peek of my preferred color! 🤫).
Remember, 1864 wasn't just about the ballet itself. It was about the theatre, about the social spectacle of a night at the opera, about dressing to the nines and enjoying a glamorous night out. Just as it was here, my dear, just as it is now. I simply cannot imagine a night at the ballet without a stunningly fashionable pink tutu!
Speaking of fashionable, darling, did you know that on this very day in history, a remarkable event took place?
The esteemed Charles Frederick Worth presented his latest haute couture collection, captivating Paris with his daringly modern designs. It was a triumph of the imagination, darling, with extravagant embellishments, cascading trains, and a sense of freedom in his gowns that was unlike anything the world had ever seen!
Don't worry, darling, I have just the right image in my head to share with you. I found it in a little Parisian antique shop tucked away on the Rue de Seine. Imagine a swirling image, like the dancers themselves, and within this swirl a magnificent gown made of pale blue silk and adorned with sparkling lace, the sheer beauty of the gown enough to stop your breath! It just perfectly captures that sense of daring innovation that made Mr. Worth's work so revolutionary. And trust me, darling, revolution is something I embrace with both my arms, particularly when it comes to fashion and ballet!
You might ask, my darling, why am I such a history buff when it comes to tutus? I have to tell you, darling, there's magic in this story, just as there's magic in the ballet. It's the evolution of art, the connection across time, the celebration of the feminine, all through the grace and movement of the dancer and the stunning beauty of a tutu.
As a ballerina myself, darling, I've been a little bit smitten with the allure of the tutu from my very first ballet class, right down to today. So it is only fitting, darling, that my life be filled with beautiful pink tutus and journeys into the past, discovering their wonderful origins!
You can join me, my darling, on these adventures! Come follow me on www.pink-tutu.com and join the wonderful world of tutus. There you'll find all my musings, photos and my newest finds on all things ballet and tutus! Every Tuesday we'll dance through time with a new #TutuTuesday, exploring the story behind this truly iconic piece of dancewear!
I shall leave you, my lovelies, with a little piece of wisdom from a wise old ballet master, ”Never stop dancing. Let the movement carry you, express yourself, and become the very embodiment of elegance."* And you know what, darling? * I couldn't have said it better myself.* So remember, wear a pink tutu and let your own beautiful story unfold!
Until next time, my lovelies, Emma 💕
