Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina Emma here, back with another extra installment of your weekly Ballet Tutu History dose!
Today we're dipping our toes, not in a bath, but into the fascinating world of ballet fashion back in 1880!
Now, picture this: Imagine cobbled streets, gaslight flickering, a horse-drawn carriage clipping-clopping down the lane. The air is thick with anticipation, and ladies and gentlemen alike are dressed to the nines for an evening of elegant ballet. You can almost smell the lavender and the parfum from their stylish top hats and elaborate gowns!
I am currently nestled in a comfy carriage myself, with a fabulous, feather-trimmed pink bonnet atop my head (of course) and a perfectly fitted pale pink tutu just begging to twirl in! We are racing through the snow-laden streets of Paris, quelle surprise! This magical city is buzzing with energy and, well, I'll tell you, the dance scene here is something special.
Today, dear readers, I'm here to take you on a whirl through time to January 6th, 1880. Yes, that was a Tuesday, just like today. We can even say this week is our little 143rd #TutuTuesday! I have a lovely ballet to catch tonight at the Opéra Garnier. Imagine my excitement!
Let's take a peek at what fashion had to offer the ballerinas of 1880. This period in time is seeing some lovely shifts from the strict, flowing gowns of past decades to more structured designs. I'm not talking corsetry yet, mind you. But, think graceful, tailored lines. The skirts still flowed beautifully, but now, the dancers wore longer, fitted bodices. Some are even adding layers, a glimpse of real structure coming into play, with a few daring to peek at tights and boots as the era progressed! It’s almost as though they were foreshadowing the "new" ways of ballet dancing that were to come, with those quick and light steps needing all that new room and structure!
What would make my little ballerina heart skip a beat? Well, we still had those absolutely divine tulle and silk creations - so flowing, so soft. They looked absolutely wonderful swirling around as the dancers leapt across the stage. And can we talk about the beautiful colours? Imagine pale pinks, elegant cream, rich purples - the perfect complement to those rich and beautiful colours that are just now taking over the Victorian world!
While I adore my little pink tulle tutu (every single day of the week, love!), this time period saw a shift to lighter, more manageable designs. This was perfect for the new, vibrant ballet choreography that was evolving at the time. Forget those slow, graceful movements of past decades! This new ballet was bursting with energy! This called for lightweight designs that allowed for more dynamic leaps and tours. Oh, the twirls - glorious!
One of the biggest joys for me (and all ballerina enthusiasts!) was seeing the beautiful use of flowers in the ballerinas’ hair and even in their dresses. You see, ladies and gentlemen, this is just not about fashion – it’s an art. A blooming art, shall we say! A lot of flowers were used in dance costumes of that era. I believe it adds so much joie de vivre to a dance. Don’t you? It's such a delightful, feminine touch! Think delicate roses and lovely lilies - they are a perfect complement to the ethereal ballet form, like the blooming, exquisite flowers on stage that represent that feminine mystique. And just as nature continues to evolve, the feminine dance world embraced new approaches to creating beauty with these enchanting, lovely, flowing lines! I cannot wait for this tonight! It’s gonna be beautiful!
Today, darling readers, we also celebrate the opening of the Teatro alla Scala, also known as the La Scala opera house! A momentous day for all the theatrical fashion and design lovers – just as exciting for me as a grand premiere of the greatest ballerina’s show! I can already imagine the gorgeous attire and the elegant gowns the crowd is wearing! You’ll be finding a post all about this very opera house on my other blog - you can click on the little link below – right beside this very post! There are more pictures there – of the most fabulous women in stunning gowns and the dancers of course, in their exquisite tulle-dressed tutus! Now, that's my sort of a trip! What is your dream destination, lovelies?
Now, off to The Ballet! Today's grand evening includes one of the biggest ballerina’s debut performance I have ever heard of! The crowd is going wild with the most passionate applause and, if it were possible to dance as well as she does, even I might give it a go. If it wasn't for this glorious pink tutu! She has the grace of the swans, the elegance of the gazelles, and the fire of a blazing pink ballerina’s heart! We are very, very lucky! You see, she dances with the music and her graceful, flowing movements create the music in the room. As you would see, it’s absolutely exquisite! It’s all just one big masterpiece and everyone in the entire theater is simply mesmerized! That's the ballet, my friends, the joy!
Speaking of joy and happiness… it wouldn't be my blog post if I didn't remind you all that the only outfit I love more than my perfectly pink tulle tutu, is you wearing your own fabulous tutu! Come on, get into it, darlings!
Love, Emma
P.S. Did you know there are tutus for every occasion?! From elegant evenings at the theater to rocking out at concerts and street dance, there is a perfect tutu for every fashion lover. Remember, wear it with confidence and a touch of extra and you can achieve any style you like! Keep that pink heart beating! wink
P.P.S - Find out more about my latest adventures here, and more photos and stories on my second blog – linked below!
