Welcome, darlings, to Post Number 1741 of my weekly #TutuTuesday adventure! This week, I've set my time-travelling tutu down in the vibrant heart of Paris, the undisputed capital of dance and fashion! I absolutely adore coming to this city – it's the ultimate playground for any ballerina with a penchant for pretty things.
As I sit here in my rose-pink tulle confection (naturally!), I can hear the strains of Offenbach's La Vie Parisienne emanating from a nearby theatre. The city is bursting with operettas and theatrical delights, a true feast for the senses!
Today, 9th May, 1865, marks a significant date in ballet history – although not one that would directly influence tutu design! It's the birthday of Émile Perrot, a celebrated choreographer. However, his influence on ballet in the mid-19th century was quite significant.
A World of Romanticism and Revolution
Remember, dear readers, we are smack-dab in the heart of the Romantic ballet period, where beautiful dancers glide across the stage en pointe, their movements as light as feathers. These elegant ladies in their long, billowing tutus were the epitome of femininity and grace.
It’s fascinating to think about how the ballet world changed just a few decades prior. Think about the stiff, restrictive costumes of the early 1800s, and then look at the freedom and movement we have today, all thanks to the likes of Marie Taglioni and her contemporaries who pushed the boundaries.
The tutus we see today owe much to those early pioneers, although they are still constantly evolving. The crinoline, an important feature in the romantic ballet, became smaller as time progressed, revealing the legs more prominently. By the 1850s and 60s, the romantic period had blossomed with all its flourishes. There was the Paganini (long skirt gathered with a frill, seen in a La Sylphide variation), then the "bell-shaped" tutu in the Ondine ballet, with a gathered and very full skirt. These were still very flowing but a more delicate version of the earlier creations.
And it’s no surprise, given that fashion and ballet are so intrinsically linked! Fashion trends in Paris, with its bustling boulevards and its ateliers filled with the finest fabrics, heavily influence what appears on the dance stage. And vice versa!
Tutus: A Legacy of Feminine Glamour
These gorgeous, ethereal tutus, with their flowing, feathery, tulle layers, perfectly embodied the feminine ideals of the Romantic era. It wasn’t just about dancing, it was about the magic of illusion, the ethereal and the impossibly delicate. The costumes allowed for movements that would have been inconceivable only a few decades earlier.
I can still recall my first foray into a Parisian ballet - the opulence was absolutely breathtaking! And it all started with those amazing tutus! The way the dancers glided and flowed across the stage, their tulle cascading like a river of moonlight...it took my breath away.
Shopping, Sightseeing, and Ballet
Since my trip is also about shopping, of course I couldn't resist visiting some of the chic boutiques on Rue de la Paix and the Grands Boulevards. I am on the lookout for the perfect shade of pink lace to adorn my own collection of tutus – the shade has to be a bit more daring, just like me, of course!
I couldn’t resist taking a jaunt to the famous Palais Garnier. It was constructed in the late 1870s, so it was still in the process of being built, but even today it is stunning.
After a busy day, I’m going to unwind by attending the premiere of an opera at the Palais Garnier! There's a reason they call Paris the City of Lights, darling. It's a whirlwind of activity and culture - and my ultimate inspiration for a perfect tutu.
Until next #TutuTuesday, I'm off to enjoy this exquisite ballet!
*Remember: a tutu is more than just a piece of fabric - it's an expression of beauty, grace, and history. *
Keep it Pink, Keep it Fun, and Keep it Twirling!
Your Faithful Tutu Traveller, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
