Hello darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, back for another dose of #TutuTuesday! Today we're taking a trip back in time to 1892, and oh my goodness, it's simply divine!
This week I travelled to Paris, a city absolutely brimming with fashion and artistic flair. You can practically smell the excitement in the air! Did you know Paris is the undisputed hub for dance, especially ballet? And guess what? Today marks the birthday of none other than the incredibly talented dancer Vaslav Nijinsky! This incredible artist would go on to grace the stage with his unparalleled grace and captivating charisma, changing the landscape of ballet as we know it!
Just imagine, this day, the year 1892. Little Vaslav was just starting to take his first steps (literally) and already captivating everyone around him with his charm. This, my dears, is what I call star quality!
Now, as much as we adore celebrating dancers like Nijinsky, we must acknowledge that in 1892, tutus hadn't quite reached their full glory. The long, voluminous, flowing tutu we all adore - that darling was still in its infancy. The ballerinas back then danced in tutus that were a bit... shorter.
Imagine, my dears, if you can, a skirt of white gauze that grazed the knee. Not quite the swirling spectacle we see on stage today, is it? But do not fret! We’re approaching a fabulous period where the tutu begins its grand transformation, soaring towards the dramatic length we admire. This journey is filled with delightful twists, turns, and some spectacular leaps in fashion!
While we're in Paris, we simply must explore the Opéra Garnier. This grand, glittering spectacle is simply divine! It's home to the Paris Opera Ballet, which, in this year, is celebrating its illustrious 200th anniversary! I simply couldn't resist squeezing myself into a performance. You can imagine the gorgeous costumes, the music, the dazzling moves... it was breathtaking. I nearly fainted with delight!
Speaking of dazzling costumes - do you know what my absolute favourite thing to do after a visit to the opera is? Shopping! The city is practically overflowing with exquisite fabrics, delightful hats, and - of course - tutus! I purchased the most beautiful powder blue tulle from a shop near the Palais Royal. You just have to see it, it’s like spun sugar. My darling, I might just add a few ruffles... just for fun!
Of course, my travels would not be complete without a touch of romance. Today, the charming and dashing Prince Albert is celebrating his birthday in nearby England - which reminds me, dear reader, of my own Derbyshire roots. This Prince is as renowned for his charming smile as he is for his exquisite taste in everything... from art and literature to architecture and fashion. He even designed a beautiful carriage for his lovely Queen Victoria! They make quite the pair. A touch of romance and grandeur for the century, eh?
Now, speaking of grandeur... It’s absolutely astounding what a magical era this is for the arts, isn’t it? From grand operas to delicate ballets, from Victorian romances to the rising stars like Vaslav Nijinsky... There's simply something in the air. Perhaps the exciting inventions, the grand ideas and passionate spirit are all influencing our tastes?
Let me tell you, even I can't resist the pull of creativity! You can be sure I’ll be writing tons about all of it, starting right now on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com. And don’t forget to follow me on social media for some gorgeous visuals. We can continue this journey together, through time, through fashion, through beautiful ballet.
Until next Tuesday, dearies, stay stylish, stay strong, and dance your heart out!
Your Emma, xoxo
P.S. #TutuTuesday, Remember to read my earlier post, Number 3167 on "A Romantic Tour de Paris."
You can see how the tutu has changed so much in such a short time, and you may just catch glimpses of the wonderful ballerina Sarah Bernhardt. This was also the year she made the decision to retire from dancing!
Until next week darling readers, and Happy Dancing, Emma
*P.P.S. *Don't forget to leave a comment. I’d love to hear about your adventures!
