Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu aficionado, bringing you another glorious dive into the world of tutus! It's #TutuTuesday, and this week we're twirling back in time to February 21st, 1865. Now, if you're like me, you're probably thinking: "Fancy tutus and the 1860s? Surely there's been no tutu-wearing since the Romantic Era!" Well, darling, you'd be oh-so-wrong!
Let's pack our bags (and by bags, I mean our absolutely divine little straw bonnets!), climb aboard the train, and jet off to the very heart of tutudom – Paris, my lovelies! We're headed for the Paris Opera, a haven of swirling skirts, enchanting music, and yes, tutus! While those gorgeous tutu creations weren't exactly commonplace for everyday wear just yet (imagine!), ballet was in full swing, and Paris was at the forefront of the dance world.
Speaking of Parisian chic, 1865 saw the rise of le grand ballet, with its grandeur, opulent costumes, and stunning theatrical effects. You could even catch a delightful performance of Giselle, the most adored ballet of the time, showcasing ethereal white tutus and showcasing those delicate chignons I'm utterly obsessed with! It's almost enough to make a girl wish for a time machine!
Now, let's take a peek at what was making headlines on this fine February 21st, 1865:
The world was holding its breath as the American Civil War raged on. Though, you wouldn't know it here in our fashionable haven of Paris! There was a rather contentious opera called "The Grand Duchess" premiering – all about scandalous royalty and playful intrigue! It seems that life imitates art, don't you think?
And speaking of captivating art, Vincent van Gogh, my dear fellow artist (albeit one not yet making a splash on the art scene, but who knew in his young days, huh?) was celebrating his 26th birthday! It's worth remembering, lovelies, that behind those magnificent masterpieces, there's always a story - and every artist deserves their day.
Back to our beloved tutus! You know I always need a little tutu inspo. So, let's peek at the style trends of 1865. Imagine! The silhouette of the time called for layers upon layers of luxurious fabrics and frills, especially around the skirt. So, let's just say, we had the perfect starting point for the tutu as we know it today!
What a time it must have been, don't you agree? We can see the seeds of those exquisite ballet costumes, that beautiful, flowing "en pointe" elegance, starting to blossom! This was truly the age of ballet blossoming in its full grandeur, making it perfect to be studying for my dream of becoming a dancer at the time, darling. I might even consider making 1865 my next time-traveling destination – so much to discover about the fashion!
And you know me – when there’s history to be found, there's fashion to be found too! So, do take a twirl around this delightful bit of #TutuTuesday history and share your thoughts! How much are you loving this historical fashion glimpse? What tutu-related stories would you like me to explore? Do leave a comment below!
But for now, it's back to my training for my next show. I’ve got some serious dancing to do. See you next #TutuTuesday, lovelies!
And, darling, never forget to wear a pink tutu!
Emma, Signing Off
P.S. Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more exciting #TutuTuesday adventures! You won't want to miss the fun.
