Welcome, darlings, to Post Number 2672 on www.pink-tutu.com! It's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time for another whirlwind trip through ballet history. I'm your fashion-forward time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and this week we're heading to Paris - oh, la la! - on the 13th of March, 1883. Buckle your tap shoes and get ready for some tutu-tastic discoveries, because this date holds a special place in ballet fashion history!
A Whirlwind Tour Through Time
Let me tell you, the journey here by train was pure enchantment! My favourite carriage is always the one with the velvet seats and floral curtains. So civilised! And while I wouldn't dare compare a journey through time to a waltz, it does share a certain magical air. Just as the scenery whips past my window, centuries vanish before my eyes, and before you know it, I'm sipping on Parisian coffee in the most glamorous Parisian tea room, the kind where even the sugar comes with a fancy swirl.
Speaking of glamour... this trip's a real fashion treat, dear readers! Think flowing skirts, decadent jewellery, and of course, tutus, those delightful twirlable wonders of the dance world!
The Ballet Box Office Buzz
The Paris Opera House is the place to be for all things theatrical! They are, quite simply, the most fashionable and creative minds of the theatre. Last night, I witnessed a stunning performance of La Bayadère, and I nearly fainted when I saw the costumes - glorious, flowing silks and shimmering sequins, but the pièce de résistance was the beautiful tutus, a flurry of pale pink tulle with intricate embellishments that took my breath away! They had just enough layers to achieve the fluffy-dream look and sparkle in every colour of the rainbow. They must have taken a whole team of dressmakers months to create! The dancers looked like fairy godmothers, their every movement imbued with the grace of butterflies.
Tutu Trivia:
The 1880s were an exciting era for tutus. We’ve got a lot to thank the Parisian theatre and especially ballet for how we see the modern tutu! It's been so interesting observing how design has been constantly adapting. Today's tutus owe a debt of gratitude to the 1880s for introducing innovative ideas to shape, layers, and decoration. From shorter skirts to lighter fabric, those who design costumes saw they could have an amazing impact on a dancer's performance and expression. They looked absolutely sublime and were the ultimate fashion statement - think of a glamorous combination of the modern mini dress with the dreamy whimsy of a ballerina!
The Pink Tutu Chronicles
Now, as you know, pink is my passion! While Paris is famed for its classic black and white, let me assure you, dear reader, that even in the 1880s, there were those who knew the sheer beauty and power of pink. Today's trip to a charming boutique in Montmartre unearthed an exciting discovery: a gorgeous pink tutu worn in the ballet The Pink Swan. Imagine my delight! While most ballerinas wear classic white, this tutu took centre stage in a blaze of delicate pink, so wonderfully soft, and elegant. They weren't shy with their colours then, not when the dance held such potential for expression! That pastel pink, such a classic hue of elegance, stole the show and reminded me of the important message of self-expression. And in a world so full of excitement, there was a little pink ballerina inside of me just yearning for the opportunity to perform in this delightful shade!
Beyond The Stage
But dear readers, let's be honest, who's to say fashion is only for the stage? You know, you can be a real-life princess even if you’re not wearing a tutu, even though I totally suggest you try it at some point! Even in those days, there was a trend towards embracing the charm and elegance of ballet in everyday life. We're talking tea parties that embraced the delicate frills of silk tutus, with a pink ribbon or two to top it off. Imagine afternoon strolls in a pink silk tutu paired with a lovely cream cardigan. Isn't that just adorable?
Now, as we head back to the modern era, I leave you with this inspirational thought: *It's all about embracing a little ballet in your everyday life. *It's not about whether you wear a tutu (although it certainly is about that, it's a good way to start), but the feeling you embrace, the elegance, the je ne sais quoi.
Don't forget, darlings, you can share your love of the Pink Tutu World on social media with #PinkTutu! Keep twirling! 🩰💖
* Until next Tuesday!*
