#3223
Greetings, dearest readers, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! As usual, I'm your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu aficionado, Emma, here to take you on a whirlwind journey through the history of the most glorious garment ever invented: the tutu! Today we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to 10th October, 1893! Fancy a journey on the Orient Express with me, darling? We’re going to the heart of ballet's world, to Paris, for some enchanting historical insights into the wonderful world of tutus!
Parisian Elegance
I must admit, Paris in the late 19th century was just so elegant. The men with their top hats and tails, the women with their beautifully billowing skirts and delicate bonnets - pure chic! Now, when I say "billowing skirts," you know I can't help but think of the gorgeous tulle that started appearing on Parisian stages. This year, on this very day in October, was a bit of a biggie for the tutus, darling!
(And remember, my dear readers, if you see me looking over my shoulder a bit, I'm just checking that my little tulle puff isn't slipping out!)
The Dawn of the Romantic Tutu
Let me take you back in time, to a place where ballets like La Sylphide (you know, the one with the mischievous, ethereal creatures, always twirling in white?) and Giselle (that one's about the tragic love of a village maiden, oh, the drama!) were captivating audiences. It was during this Romantic period, darlings, that the tutu started gaining some real ground!
Before the full-fledged tutu we know and love today, there were what they called the "tutu à la grecque". They looked a bit like flowy gowns, more of a full skirt than a tight fit. Imagine layers and layers of white tulle, sweeping around the ballerina's legs in a soft and delicate embrace. Just divine!
The tutus of 1893 weren't exactly the super-short, super-dramatic things we see today. It's quite remarkable how things have changed! For this particular date, a little more leg was on display, thanks to a slightly longer skirt, skimming just above the knees. A daring move at the time!
Fashion and the Dance
It's not all just swirling, graceful movements and airy tutus, though. Fashion definitely plays a vital role! Just picture a scene: delicate ribbons, elegant velvet, and luxurious silks used in costume design. It all comes together beautifully to enhance the magic of the performance.
Speaking of performances, this week I saw a truly breathtaking rendition of "The Nutcracker," at The Royal Opera House in London! Oh, those Sugar Plum Fairy tutus, in a lovely lavender, just made my heart flutter! The beautiful shimmering pink sequins and the tulle, perfectly crafted to make the dancers' every move look like a whimsical dream! It’s this exact reason that the tutu was such a perfect match for ballet: because it amplifies the beauty of every leap and spin!
#PinkTutuThoughts
Darling, as always, the best part of the Tutu Tuesday blog posts is when you write in with your questions and musings! This week, I was absolutely charmed by one of our readers from New York, asking how to incorporate the delicate ballet spirit into everyday life!
Well, my dear, I must tell you, I find this to be an excellent question! I find that a touch of pink in your outfit is just the thing for a daily dose of ballet inspiration! Pink, darlings, is simply the colour of confidence! A pink ribbon tied in your hair, a bright pink bag to carry your shopping, or even just a hint of pink lipstick can be just what you need to add that graceful charm to your day!
But the tutu... ah, the tutu! It’s not just a fashion statement! The true essence of a tutu is in the freedom, in the movement, and the joyous, energetic expression of oneself. And really, can't we all embrace that spirit? A tiny sprinkle of "tutu spirit," shall we say, in your everyday? It’s just what we all need to be a little lighter, a little more graceful, a little more playful!
So, dear readers, I’ll be seeing you again next Tuesday! Until then, do pop in your pink tutus, spin a little, maybe have a spot of tea and some delicious scones!
Until then, happy twirling!
P.S. Let’s hear from you! What is your dream tutu design? Which colours inspire you most?
And don’t forget, dear readers! Follow the links below to take advantage of this week’s wonderful Pink-Tutu.com offers!
