Hiya, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things fabulous and flouncy! It's Tutu Tuesday, and this week, we're travelling back in time to a most enchanting era. Oh, I do love a bit of time travel – especially when it involves tutus, of course!
Today, I'm standing amongst the gaslights and grandeur of Paris – a city absolutely buzzing with art and excitement. Oh, Paris has always had a certain magic, wouldn't you agree? Just look at those magnificent theatres! And speaking of theatres, wouldn't you know it, on this very date, 24th of March 1885, La Scala in Milan, the Italian Opera House that rivals the French opera in every way, was bursting at the seams! They were hosting a grand gala with music by my absolute favourite, Giuseppe Verdi, and one of my absolute favourite ballets, La Bayadère.
Let’s be honest, La Bayadère is a showstopper. Think stunning choreography, intricate details, and captivating storytelling. But something very special is going on today in Paris. As I am swirling amongst the Parisian crowds – let's just say there’s definitely a 'chic' factor to those crowds, shall we? This is THE PLACE to be for ballet, so I'm just dying to catch a glimpse of what the stars of Paris' Opéra are wearing, you know? I hear rumours they're experimenting with a whole new kind of tutus, something completely revolutionary… something called, hold your breath... * The tutu à la Princesse! * Isn’t it just too fabulous?!
Let's break it down: The Tutu à la Princesse – or, in plain English, the *Princess Tutu is nothing short of revolutionary. Think the grand tutus we see in today's ballets - those beautifully structured, billowing creations - but even grander. It’s all about layers and layers of tulle and net – enough fabric to float through the air with absolute grace. It's the ultimate tutu, an explosion of feminine elegance that brings the dancers right out of the corps de ballet and into the spotlight. Imagine how that must have felt! The freedom, the lightness, the complete focus on the dance!
So let’s talk about what the Tutu à la Princesse means for us today, over a century later! Drumroll it's what gave us that classical ballet style that everyone recognizes. The Tutu à la Princesse is the grand dame of the tutus. Imagine Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake...all these *gorgeous *tutus owe their *magic to that bold innovation in the late 1800s. We simply wouldn’t be twirling with the same flair without those visionary dancers and their stunning tutus à la Princesse !
But how did I get to see this all the way back in the 1880s, you may be asking?! It’s all about… Ballet, darling! It’s what keeps my Time Travelling Tutu Boutique running smoothly. You see, I make my way back to these exciting dates in history with my favourite ballerina costume on… a Tutu of course. I simply perform, collect donations, then with a twirl and a sprinkle of ballet magic, I’m whisked off to wherever and whenever I want! I even go on little adventures in different time periods while on my tours with performances for that added bit of oomph! Sometimes, it can be tricky, though – keeping my travelling pink tutu and hair bows safe can be a challenge! Especially when trying to pack them into luggage whilst looking fabulous in vintage Parisian dresses – trust me! But the beauty and joy I get back for the history and seeing those lovely tutus in their era makes it completely worth it.
While here, let’s get shopping! The beauty of the Tutu à la Princesse doesn't stop on stage! Just imagine the possibilities for the ladies of the time… Imagine being in the Parisian social scene with one of those fabulous tutus. Just think of those boudoirs, the dances, the waltzes... it's like a dream come true! But why stop at imagination?! If I could travel with more than a tutu I would absolutely pack one of the vintage-looking outfits and get to know these glamorous ladies and their tutus. If I can't pack an extra bag I have to just buy one! My heart belongs in the shop of Madame Rose and the beautiful clothing shops, I would just get lost in these Parisian shops, and let’s be honest, I wouldn't be caught dead in an era where we can't shop for beautiful items.
That’s all from Paris, ladies! Remember, there's no excuse to not wear your pink tutu. I've shown you time and time again that there is no era, no occasion, no location, where you can’t wear a pink tutu.
Happy twirling, darling!
Until next week,
Emma.
Pink Tutu: Always Twirling, Always Pinkwww.pink-tutu.com
Psst… Stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday for more magical trips through ballet history. And don’t forget to show us your own tutu style by tagging us on #PinkTutu! We love to see your creativity!
