Bonjour mes amis, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutu!
Today, we’re taking a trip back in time. Buckle up, because I’m hopping on the time machine – well, the Orient Express (with a few extra velvet cushions and some delicate tulle fabric, of course!) – to explore the origins of our beloved ballet tutus. This week, our journey takes us to the year 1869, to a date that will forever be etched in the history of dance: November 9th, 1869.
But before we delve into the past, let’s talk about pink tutus. My dear readers, I simply cannot emphasize enough the glorious joy of a pink tutu! They are simply magical. They bring a certain je ne sais quoi to any occasion, from the elegant ballets of the Parisian Opera to a stroll through the London park. The soft blush, the playful bounce, the utter sweetness – they embody everything I adore about the dance! Now, just imagine wearing a pink tutu to a ballet performance – pure joy! It is indeed my mission to have the whole world draped in the exquisite embrace of pink tutus.
Let’s now turn our time machine dial to November 9th, 1869. * What’s so special about this day, you ask? It’s the date when the Parisian ballet world exploded with the beauty of *the Romantic tutu!
Picture this: the Grand Opera House in Paris is bustling with anticipation, the stage illuminated by glittering chandeliers. The world is ready for a spectacle. Enter "La Source". It’s not just any ballet, dear friends, but a bold masterpiece of beauty and grace, designed by Marius Petipa. What set it apart? You guessed it: the dazzling new tutu worn by the exquisite ballerinas. The dancers now sported a revolutionary new style, with skirts layered and flowing, a delicate yet vibrant showcase of ethereal grace. This creation became a symbol of liberation and femininity. The ballerinas danced like never before, their bodies now a breathtaking kaleidoscope of movement under a billowing, romantic tutu! Imagine, a symphony of pirouettes and delicate leaps under the dazzling chandeliers, all encased in the elegance of a stunning, swirling tulle cloud!
My friends, you might think it's just a skirt, but the Romantic tutu changed everything. It unleashed the dancer's form, and let her take flight, like a swan in a celestial pond. The effect was magical!
I, personally, love seeing ballet at the Paris Opera. There’s something so magical about the grandeur of the building, the history that seems to seep out of the walls. It’s the perfect place to get swept away in a world of tutus, pointe shoes, and ethereal dancing! And I bet if I wore my pink tutu while wandering those grand corridors, I'd turn a few heads - or maybe even inspire a new choreography!
You see, it’s not just about the looks, my dear readers, although the Romantic tutu is undeniably beautiful. The romantic era marked the transition of ballet into a breathtaking art form, something even more graceful, more powerful, more expressive. Think about the ballerina as a creature of the sky, an angel with feathery wings gliding on the wind - that’s the romantic tutu!
After Paris, I of course have to hop on the Orient Express – the train with the most delicious food – and make my way to London to watch the dancers of the Royal Opera House twirl in their own enchanting interpretations of Romantic tutu designs! I often grab my favourite pink tutu from my vast collection and enjoy the magical atmosphere in London! There are some beautiful boutique shops to visit near the theatre as well. London, the city that never sleeps, never disappoints!
And wouldn't you know it? After my trip back in time to 1869, it is always fascinating to see how that initial, graceful flow has been adopted by contemporary dancers in ballets all around the world. They create magic, adding their own unique flair and personal touches with colours and layers!
Even I borrow some inspiration from the Romantic era to add that extra touch to my own pink tutu ensemble – maybe a splash of floral embellishment, a lace overlay – or I simply go for a stunning explosion of fluffy pink to catch attention at a dance party! I'm all for mixing it up, making my own statement and enjoying every second in my pink tutu wonderland!
Let me leave you with this, my dearest tutu lovers: Don’t be afraid to experiment, to express your own individual style. Be brave. Be bold. And above all, embrace the joy of tutus - it is magical and neverending!
Until next time, I leave you with this, remember:
A life without a pink tutu is just a story, but a life with a pink tutu is a whole new world, and who wouldn’t want that?
Keep twirling and keep spreading the love for pink tutus!
See you next Tuesday for more tutu history, with more pink tutus, more Parisian adventures, and more railway journeys!
Emma xo
* www.pink-tutu.com*
