Greetings, darling readers! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, reporting live from the year 1889! As you know, every Tuesday, we delve into the dazzling history of the ballet tutu. So put on your dancing shoes, grab a cuppa (with lashings of sugar, of course!), and let's travel through time to the Parisian Opera House, where the world of ballet is truly abuzz!
Today, October 22nd, 1889, marks a momentous day in history, for it is the opening of the Eiffel Tower! Can you imagine the sheer delight of Parisian society - the glamour, the excitement, the incredible architecture, a symbol of the new age and the beauty of France! Imagine me, swishing my pink tutu amongst the fashionable ladies, taking in the awe-inspiring sight of this marvel of modern engineering! It makes me wonder if there's a special tutu out there with Eiffel Tower motifs, or maybe a tutu made entirely from metallic tulle. Just think, a tutu so glitzy and shiny that it catches the reflections of the sun as you dance!
But let's rewind a bit, back to the ballet, and specifically the tutu! I recently heard tell of a magnificent performance of "La Esmeralda", with the enchanting choreography by Marius Petipa, who happens to be quite a name in the ballet world, if I may say so! It appears that the ballerinas danced in lovely, flowing tutus that highlighted their graceful movements. Imagine the delight! It just goes to show, even then, these ballerinas knew how to make an entrance! A beautiful ballet and a showstopping outfit – a match made in sartorial heaven, I'd say!
And speaking of showstopping outfits, can we talk about the beautiful "Tutus du Style Impérial", otherwise known as "Russian" tutus? You've got to see them, darlings! This type of tutu is known for its billowing layers of tulle, giving an incredible, ethereal look – as though the ballerina is about to float right off the stage.
Remember those sweet little pink ballerina outfits you dreamed of as a child? This type of tutu was inspired by the same silhouette - the one with that classic tight-fitting bodice and those multiple layers of tulle flaring out below. What I adore most about this style of tutu is the romanticism, the sense of fairytale wonder, it creates. Just picture a ballerina performing with a whimsical air of innocence, like a fairytale come to life. I think I just might wear my favourite pink tutu tomorrow! I even plan on trying a new recipe: "Princess's Pink Tea Cake." Just imagine the taste of delicate buttercream frosting mixed with pink and white almond sprinkles - a true ballet ballerina delight!
But this style of tutu was not merely beautiful, oh no, it had a practical purpose too! Imagine a tutu so long and voluminous, with layer after layer, almost reaching the floor! It allowed the dancers a vast range of movement, those beautiful extensions, jumps and spins - giving them the perfect freedom to tell their story with every move! And let's not forget about those delicate little slippers, those enchanting tools, which were absolutely key for allowing the ballerina to dance and pirouette with grace! The way the tulle swirled around them as they moved was simply magnificent, captivating everyone in the theatre.
Now, I might be biased, as I have a great love for the grand ballet and its theatrical splendour, but the tutus during this era were really quite incredible, and their style continued to inspire, right through the turn of the century, inspiring ballerinas all over the world.
Now, my darling readers, have you got any tips for creating the perfect tutu? A tutu so exquisite it would even impress the ballerinas of the late 1800s? Maybe something adorned with lovely delicate flowers, ribbons or even sparkles? Share your thoughts below in the comments. You could inspire me, perhaps even lead to a new tutu invention! After all, creativity knows no bounds, and it's only by pushing boundaries, that we create a world filled with dazzling tutus!
Stay tuned for next week's #TutuTuesday, where we'll take another trip through time to uncover the fascinating history of the ballet tutu!
Until then, let's dance, let's dream, and most importantly, let's never stop believing in the magical power of a pink tutu!
Bisous, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
