Post #2692
Bonjour mes chéries! Welcome back to Pink Tutu.com! I'm Emma, your resident pink tutu aficionado, and it's Tuesday which means... drum roll please... it's #TutuTuesday! This week we're taking a trip through time to discover the history of the tutu on July 31st 1883, which coincidentally happens to be the very day I'm writing this blog post! How amazing is that? Time travel is simply wonderful, especially when it allows me to visit a bygone era where tutus are simply exquisite.
Stepping Back In Time:
I arrived in Paris, a glorious, bustling city full of fashion and excitement, right on July 31st 1883. Let me tell you, the city of lights doesn't disappoint, especially for a tutu-loving girl like myself. My first stop? Naturally, the grand Palais Garnier Opera House! It’s like stepping into a gilded dream! The grand chandeliers, the ornate decorations, the sense of excitement… simply intoxicating! It’s here in this magnificent opera house where we begin our story…
A Tutu Tale:
The 1880s were an exciting period for the world of dance, my dears! Ballerinas weren’t just performing in those grand theatres - they were pushing the boundaries of movement and expression. Imagine this - flowing chiffon skirts with a whisper of a silhouette, showing off every elegant leap, every delicate pirouette! Talk about glamour! It’s a far cry from the voluminous, puffy tutus of previous decades! Think a light breeze, delicate and feminine, and you’ve got yourself the tutu of 1883.
But How Did We Get Here?
The ballet tutu as we know it, didn't appear overnight. Back in the 1500s, dancers wore elaborate costumes that flowed like streams of colourful fabric. But the 1830s saw a revolution with Marie Taglioni, an iconic ballerina who famously donned a tutu that, wait for it, reached her knees! Imagine that, such a daring move! Marie brought a sense of lightness and grace to dance and her new look transformed the ballet scene, inspiring more delicate and shorter tutus over the next decades.
The Tutu Today
While the 1880s were a key turning point in the evolution of the tutu, this classic dancewear has undergone many transformations over the decades! From the Romantic tutus of the 19th century to the more elaborate, statement-making designs we see today, the tutu has always been synonymous with grace, artistry, and, of course, absolute beauty.
Finding My Tutu Twin
Before I bid you adieu today, I wanted to tell you all about my visit to La Belle Époque, a Parisian boutique filled with such fabulous fabrics. This place was like a dream, brimming with gorgeous materials, silks, chiffons… everything a tutu enthusiast like myself could desire! And the prices were incredibly affordable too! Imagine a whole fabric shop in your living room, full of glorious fabrics for creating your dream tutus! It’s so wonderfully inspiring, I almost made a purchase myself, but ahem, I have a train to catch!
The Tutu Trip:
Remember my aim, my dears, is to inspire everyone to wear a pink tutu. I'm off to St Petersburg this time next week! If anyone is around and has some grand plans for me, I'd be most delighted to be of assistance! Maybe a visit to the Hermitage to admire some beautiful tutus of the 19th Century, or perhaps an opulent afternoon tea in a stunning grand cafe! If you see me, I’ll be in the most elegant pink tutu I can find – hopefully, it will make everyone embrace their inner pink tutu aficionado!
That’s it for this week’s #TutuTuesday, my dears! If you want to learn more about the fascinating history of the tutu, just leave me a comment below! And, as always, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram at @pinktutu.com I’d be most delighted to share my journey with you. See you next Tuesday, for another exciting episode in our #TutuTuesday journey!
