Bonjour, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things twirling, pretty, and pink. Today is a very special #TutuTuesday, as we're diving deep into ballet history! Buckle up your shoes, grab a cuppa, and get ready to travel back in time with me – we're going to Paris!
My goodness, can you imagine life in 1873? The air is filled with the sound of horse-drawn carriages clattering over cobbled streets, and everyone's sporting incredible bonnets and long flowing dresses. The women, I must tell you, are absolutely resplendent. And the fashion? Oh my! The elegance, the detail... we really should look to the past for a little inspiration, wouldn't you say?
Of course, this is the time of ballet history - you know, the one I adore, where graceful dancers in glorious costumes bring stories to life with each breathtaking move. Oh, the wonder! Just imagine the shimmering satin and the delicate lace! The sheer volume of fabric in those skirts - heaven.
11th November, 1873... This was a day for spectacle in Paris. I can almost picture the crowds thronging to the Grand Opéra for a show. Can-can was all the rage then, full of playful and daring leg-kicks and flirty fun. This wasn't ballet ballet, not in the sense we see today with pointe shoes and stories woven through each gesture, but it certainly brought a sense of dramatic energy to the stage and set the tone for the next 100 years of performance!
What makes this date so special is its significance in ballet fashion. It's about a mere three years since Marie Taglioni stunned the world with her legendary dance, "La Sylphide", performed at the Opéra Garnier, clad in a soft and breezy tulle dress - a completely revolutionary look! Think airy and weightless, almost a whisper of fabric compared to the opulent court dress of the time.
You can bet, dear reader, the Parisian crowds went wild. This revolutionary new style – let's call it the ballet tutu, for the moment – captured the essence of a graceful bird, soaring on the stage and flying through the air. *And, oh darling, the effect it had on the audiences, oh, the effect! * This new design was light and fluid, allowing the ballerinas to move freely and tell their stories through every graceful twirl.
In the beginning, the tutu looked more like a wide and puffy skirt, layered in rows of gauze and lace. Today, it still echoes this, but it's evolved, with dancers today taking inspiration from the 19th-century but making it all their own. But can we imagine life without the ballet tutu? A dreadful thought, don't you think?
I'm here for every kind of tutu – ballet tutu, party tutu, everyday tutu... let's make pink tutu-wearing the next trend, darling! Don't forget to wear pink. It makes everyone look so vibrant! You could wear your favourite colour, of course, and, of course, you should choose the tutu that best suits your personality! But a pink tutu is so feminine, playful and elegant – what more could we ask for?!
You can be sure to see a pink tutu featured in a new video that will be up soon! There is an enchanting ballet to enjoy in my city.
The thing is, darling, wearing a pink tutu is about so much more than just a dress - it's about freedom, expressing yourself, and unleashing the beautiful spirit within you. So, take a twirl, feel the wind in your hair, and let's create a world where every single one of us is wearing a pink tutu, twirling with confidence and joie de vivre!
Emma xx
*P.S. Don't forget to check out our exclusive Tutu of the Week giveaway – head to our Facebook page for details on how to win your very own gorgeous pink tutu, perfect for your next twirling adventure! *
