Bonjour from Paris! It's your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday! This week, I've been whisked away on the magical train to Paris for a whirl around the theatre scene. Oh, how I do adore this city. So much inspiration for a tutu-lover like me. As we are on this voyage through history of the tutus (can't you see me in a fabulous train compartment - picture perfect pink tulle, natch!), I wanted to pop back to 1852, and I have to admit, it's a bit of a shocker! Not for the Parisian ballet world (everything's as gloriously extravagant as ever!), but for us tutu-wearers!
Why? Because my dears, the tutus are... well, a bit short! gasps Yes, you heard that right, no voluminous fluffy wonders, instead it was all about being short, light and with no layers upon layers of tulle! Shudders! This simply wouldn't do for my pink-loving tastes.
1852, for a real ballerina history buff like myself, is quite a crucial date, it was when the grand Marie Taglioni retired! Marie was absolutely adored and one of the leading lights of Romantic Ballet, her performance as the ethereal "La Sylphide" is the stuff of legends, and of course, with a perfectly white tulle tutu that took center stage!
As an absolute devotee of the dramatic, elegant look that we love so much, a bit of Parisian style from that era sounds more La Belle Epoque, rather than something you might see at a Parisian Theatre... Oh my! (And yes, of course, I will be wearing a sumptuous, layered, voluminous tutu when I go to see this show in my next trip back!)
While my journey back in time might be full of surprises (and let's face it, that train journey across the channel can sometimes be a bit of a shock), let's talk a bit about what else we can find in Paris. Oh, the clothes, the shoes, the hats! Such gorgeous designs and patterns... The most divine shade of blush pink popped up on some dresses in a little shop I found tucked away. Can't wait to design my own blush pink tutu for a Parisian performance! It will be simply heavenly, like a dream. I might have even indulged in a little shopping spree, picking up a beautiful lilac silk scarf - can't wait to wrap it around my neck! I simply must bring these new additions back with me and wear them for our upcoming Derbyshire Dance Gala! The Derbyshire folk must see how Parisians embrace style! Just imagine the whispers "Look, it's Emma in lilac silk, she’s so divine!" I will have all eyes on me... as if they could ever be anywhere else!
Back to the dancing itself - Paris in 1852 is a must-see, dear readers. They are already experimenting with the 'tutu' – what is sometimes called the 'skirt' (can you believe!) It is all about being a little less structured and the ballerinas are working hard to build in a bit more drama and movement with that beautiful floaty tulle. We're still in that transitional period between the Romantic Period, with the long, soft tutus that float like dreams, and what comes next, and frankly, my darling, my pink heart couldn't be more excited!
You can just imagine all the wonderful things happening now with the development of the 'skirt'. Soon, everyone will be rocking a tutu that can capture the perfect romanticism. I'll bet a hundred pound note that in 5 years, we will be seeing ballerinas on those stages looking even more amazing in an amazing tutus... (and I bet those tutus are going to be long!)
And who could ever resist that? The grand ballerina dancers who perform those romantic ballets need something more than just skill. They need something that sets them apart from the audience. Something that helps them float above it all. The Tutu, darling!
Now, remember this isn't just about ballet. This is a movement, it's a revolution! Pink, girly, voluminous tutus are all we need to take on the world. They are powerful, whimsical and incredibly chic, who doesn't adore those three words?! This, my loves, is the true magic of the tutu. Let's show the world what being a tutu-lover truly means. Get ready for the tutu revolution - everyone get yours on and spread the tutu love. And don't forget, follow me on www.pink-tutu.com for all my upcoming adventures - and remember to tag me in all of your pictures - I can't wait to see those amazing pink tutus around the world. I will even be posting a short video of myself twirling with a little demo on how to do a "French Tulle Turn" and a few top tutu tips. It's going to be divine! Until next Tuesday, don’t stop twirling! XOXO!
