Bonjour mes amis!
Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, and it’s another glorious Tutu Tuesday! Today, we're diving into the fascinating history of the tutu - the symbol of grace, femininity, and a little bit of whimsy!
Now, imagine me, in a luscious shade of pink tutu (because let's be honest, pink is simply the colour!), gazing out over the bustling streets of Paris on December 18th, 1866. What a time to be alive! This is a world bursting with artistic vibrancy, a time of changing fashions and exciting artistic innovations.
Can you believe this? This week marks the 157th anniversary of a significant milestone in the ballet world! On this very date in 1866, a little masterpiece known as La Fille mal Gardée was given its first performance. This charming ballet tells the story of a young woman trying to find love against the wishes of her stern mother. But, it wasn't just the story that made waves!
It was the dance. Specifically, it was the way the dancers moved in the choreography created by Jules Perrot, and, in doing so, showed off a then brand new, oh so elegant form - the tutu.
Now, my fellow ballet enthusiasts, remember - this was way back in 1866, before tutus were as common as pink lemonade (and by the way, is there anything more delightful?). They were still a relatively new thing. So this performance marked the first time the world saw the tutu not just as a playful costume, but as a dynamic symbol of expression!
In this performance, the dancers wore knee-length tutus with lots of billowing layers. You see, by wearing such tutus, these wonderful women were able to move in new ways! The graceful steps and pirouettes flowed like water, making them look utterly weightless. The layers, light and breezy as clouds, captured the wind, bringing this sense of effortless grace to the art.
The performance itself was a joyous event! It was all about love, laughter and music. The story of the girl trying to break free from the restrictions placed on her life and follow her heart. It spoke to all of us - a girl can dream, and we can fly. We saw this not just in the dance but in those magical layers of the tutus, symbolising freedom of movement, freedom of expression. It resonated, oh yes it did, with so many!
Speaking of freedom of expression - where did my train of thought go?! Ah yes, we're celebrating pink and our beloved tutus this week! To mark the occasion of La Fille mal Gardée, you all simply MUST get into your best tutus, especially those gorgeous, fluffy, pastel pink ones.
After all, the beauty of the tutu - as we saw with this revolutionary performance in Paris - goes beyond the fabric itself. It's a symbol - a celebration of our dreams, our ambition and our ability to take flight, just as those ballerinas did back in 1866!
It reminds me, when I’m waltzing across time, it’s important to be the pinkest, fluffiest ballerina I can be, and always, always carry those beautiful dreams close to your heart - your very own, pink tutu filled with them.
So, on this beautiful #TutuTuesday, why not channel that vibrant energy? I'd love to see your stunning pictures! Tag #TutuTuesday and @PinkTutu so I can admire your fab looks! Don't forget, you can join us every Tuesday over on www.pink-tutu.com for more tutu tales and stylish updates.
Until next time, my dears, dance with joy! And never forget the magic that you can bring to the world - one twirl at a time.
Au revoir, Emma xx
