Bonjour mes amies! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-loving, time-traveling ballerina, and I'm so thrilled to be back with another Tutu Tuesday! Today, we're jetting off to the City of Lights, Paris, to see what kind of sartorial delights await us on May 21st, 1872!
Imagine stepping off the train at Gare du Nord, my dear darlings, a beautiful train ride I tell you, the countryside whizzing past, a symphony of colours and a gentle breeze through the open carriage windows. Arriving in Paris, the energy crackles like a beautifully choreographed pas de deux, filled with the whisper of silk gowns and the delicate click of heeled boots. Now that's a beautiful sound, right?! The air smells of croissants and roses, and I'm instantly drawn to the grand Parisian boulevards and their fashionable stores, my heart palpitating with excitement. Oh how I love the feeling of a brand new Parisian hat resting on my head, the flutter of tulle, the soft swish of a silk gown... Paris always excites the ballerina in me, like a grand pirouette on a perfectly polished floor!
Now, if you're picturing a world of long, heavy skirts, well, my dears, you're not entirely wrong! But let's not forget that even then, Parisian fashion was about creating an ethereal elegance - a delicate grace - a sense of movement, all things we ballerinas know well. But in this era, we're not seeing much in the way of "tutu" as we know it! Think layered underskirts of cotton and linen, which, though not as billowing as modern tulle, do give that slight puff and ethereal quality, particularly when the wearer is walking, waltzing, or twirling. Think of the French countryside with fields of billowing white wheat dancing in the breeze! Don't we all want a touch of that flowing elegance in our dresses and tutus?
Let me tell you, my dear friends, fashion here is in the midst of a change - like the start of a graceful adagio, where movements become ever more intricate and delicate. There are whispers of things to come, and while the silhouette remains "rounded," and I don't see too much tulle yet, there's a shift in the fabric, in the layers, and that to me, means the tutus are waiting to dance into the spotlight!
Today in Paris, ladies are still very much clad in their bustles - remember that magnificent cloud of fabric, often stuffed with all sorts of interesting things to give that voluminous, almost rounded silhouette? I dare say, it must have been tricky to walk in those but let me tell you, the way these dresses are worn and their fabrics feel, all hint at an underlying sense of dance - think long graceful moves that look elegant and relaxed at the same time! I often wish I could try on one of these, even with my modern ballerina strength and poise!
And then there are the crinolines! You know, those glorious underskirts that gave those fabulous gowns their impressive shape, and it's here, my dears, that we see the early hints of the future "tutu" - that elegant movement. It's like a tiny, controlled explosion of grace, the fabric swirling and swirling... almost like a beautiful ballerina spinning! Can you imagine the soft swoosh as you dance and twirl in these gowns? Just divine.
Imagine chiffon, silk and delicate lace. These are the textures of dreams. And, can you imagine a whole Parisian room full of tulle tutus and ladies whirling around each other? If I had my time traveling way and some special magical powers, it would be amazing, but maybe I'll let my imagination take the wheel! Perhaps when I am wearing a big fluffy white and pink tutu, a little sprinkle of tulle dust will sprinkle from my tutus and we can have a whole room full of beautiful ballerinas dancing with soft rustling fabrics, a ballet of dreams and delight!
For May 21st, 1872, itâs still very much about âThe Empress's" and "The Queenâsâ fashion that holds sway. They dictate the length of the trains of these magnificent dresses, how the collars are worn and even how tightly the lace should be tied. But what I love about Paris, dear reader, is how that fashion influence transforms with a touch of French panache - a delicate flick of a hand that transforms the rigid and elegant into a vibrant, spirited whirlwind. The ballet isnât quite ready to take centre stage, but those who dare, and take inspiration from the dancers and those lovely ballerinas on stage, well, they know a beautiful thing is brewing. Itâs exciting isn't it?
And of course, while we are talking of Paris, Iâd be remiss if I didnât mention the ballet! Now, let's talk about what's happening on the stage - oh the delight! Youâd likely be able to see something like âLa Fille Mal GardĂ©eâ (âThe Unruly Daughterâ), which is all about playful fun and charming energy â very close to what weâre all about on our Pink Tutu Blog, dancing and dreaming, and sharing laughter. This is the perfect place for us, my dears. A ballet about breaking free and creating a dance all your own!
Oh my! If you could see the expressions on the faces of the ballerinas, youâd know they are living in that exciting point between two movements â the old way and the new, and thatâs when inspiration grows. Itâs in these fleeting moments that a whole new fashion can emerge, like the final twirl at the end of a stunning ballet! You can just feel the spirit of it all as the dancers' tutus move, the music starts up and the spotlight comes on - just picture the stage, so much glitter and beautiful light, the graceful forms and expressive faces - that is what moves fashion! We just have to keep that thought, like a balletic arabesque in our hearts and weâll create our own dancing style.
But back to Paris, 1872... If I've managed to entice you with this little glimpse into fashion in the City of Lights, then do hop onto your favourite vintage frock and journey there in your imagination. Just imagine yourselves twirling amongst these beautifully dressed Parisians and you might just see that tutu trend peeking from under the folds of their garments - the delicate dance is about to start, and with it, we see that the next fashion chapter, in my heart, belongs to us! The beautiful tutus!
So, keep your tutus tucked close and your dreams dancing! And, if you're heading out to your favourite ballet performance today, take a moment to see if you can see a bit of Paris and all its history in your ballerinaâs dancing and outfits. You never know, you might see the first spark of our tutu-filled future shining in the light of that beautiful spotlight!
Au revoir, Emma xx
PS: Please don't forget to share your favourite #TutuTuesday thoughts and memories with us! And of course, remember that with each tutu, you make a positive statement about dancing, expressing your inner-self, and the magic that lies within. Let's make the world pink, tutu-ful, and dancing in this new chapter we are beginning!
