Greetings, my darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing guide to all things tulle and twirling. It’s #TutuTuesday and time to take a journey through the captivating history of the ballet tutu!
Today we're whisking back to the 6th of May, 1879, a date brimming with the sweet smell of Parisian perfume and the whisper of silk. I'm just dying to tell you about what a delightful time this was for the ballet. Picture it: a time of grand opera houses and ornate ballrooms, where the air buzzed with excitement before every curtain rise.
From Derbyshire to the City of Lights
This time, I'm feeling that wanderlust, the need for adventure. The trains have just started pulling in on a grand scale, and they have the power to whisk us away in style! And where better to be on May 6th, 1879, than the beautiful city of Paris? I've taken the train down from Derbyshire, it's such a delight to watch the world flitting by from the window as we speed onwards towards the glamour of Paris. I've got to get myself to the finest shops - I have the biggest craving for lace and ribbon! There is simply no comparison, for quality, colour, and beauty to the French ribbons - it is like they are woven from a dream! I know that once I am here I am bound to come home stuffed with beautiful finery and a huge pink suitcase bursting with pretty tulle and ribbon galore. My pockets will be a little bit lighter, and my little Derbyshire village home will feel a bit more like a mini Paris, for a time, after I get home, anyway. I'm picturing those dreamy pastel colours against a background of pale pink tulle...
Now, I wouldn't dream of a trip to Paris without visiting the Opèra Garnier and taking in the performance that's gracing their stage this night - oh! to watch the graceful dancers swirl! My goodness, even back in the day, they wore their tutues with such confidence, even with so much lace, fabric and tulle that the skirts billowed and puffed out to nearly double their width. But such grace and finesse.
A Touch of History for Tutu-Lovers
It’s the end of the Romantic period, darling, so if you happen to be in the theatre tonight you will be treated to a vision of flowing tulle. The Romantic period was an exciting time, and the dancing matched this grand period's feel. They danced with long graceful movements. There was nothing fast, furious and angular about this - oh, but the dramatic emotions these beautiful dresses expressed in this dramatic dancing - the love, the loss, the longing and the pure and innocent desire...
But enough about the past! I have a lovely picture I’d love to show you, just for fun… this beautiful dancer is a vision in a soft shade of tulle. Her name is La Guimard, the dancer of the Opèra Garnier in Paris... it is the kind of photo you get caught staring at - a truly exquisite lady who wore her tutus with a beauty of spirit that bewitched everyone. Her performance last night was simply magic, like something straight out of a beautiful fairy tale - I felt as if the floor had opened beneath my feet and I was swirling in another world!
A Tutu-ific Look
Speaking of ballet, I couldn't go on a Parisian adventure without some gorgeous new pieces, now could I? I've been so excited I had a dress made, especially for my trip. A darling soft pink shade of the prettiest satin and with my special touch, naturally - tulle! This time, darling, the fabric, as I've already said, is a touch more on the romantic and grand scale, flowing out with yards of swishing tulle for the dress to make a truly perfect feminine design! Oh my, I'm truly a fashion queen for the day, wearing a little pink tiara too. What's a ballet loving girl to do, especially when on a trip to Paris? It's all about the fashion, and for today, darling, the pinkest fashion. My little tutu will of course, always be my absolute favourite. But this time the big, bright colours - that we have to look at and look at - it’s truly amazing to see this trend. It’s the Belle Époque darling. and everyone seems to be having a grand time! We have entered an age of optimism and extravagance... a time of such grandeur and sophistication. I would love to meet with the fashionistas and designers - I want to ask them - 'How do you manage to keep pushing those fashion boundaries - I don't even want to think how many spools of ribbon were used to make some of these creations - my eyes just glitter! **
Coming Up Soon -
As we're exploring the past this week, keep your eyes peeled for the next post! It will be another fantastic ballet tutu journey, all set for next Tuesday!
Until then, may your tutus twirl and your hearts be filled with the joy of dancing. Don't forget - #PinkTutu is all about getting every single person wearing one, no matter the size! Keep those needles moving and fabric swirling!
And do tell me, darlings, what are your favourite fashion trends this week? Leave me a comment below - I’d love to hear from you.
All the love,
Emma, your Tutu-obsessed blogger!
www.pink-tutu.com
