Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, bringing you another fabulous foray into the wonderful world of ballet tutus. Today we're travelling back in time, not by carriage or zeppelin, oh no, but by the magic of time travel, all courtesy of a magical pair of ballet shoes I picked up in a quaint little antique shop in Derbyshire. Today's stop, my darlings, is none other than Paris, and the year is 1894, the very year my dearest grandmother was born. Talk about a timeless treasure!
Now, let's all be honest, Paris is synonymous with fashion. And we all know that ballet has a seriously fabulous impact on the world of fashion. Even the Queen wears tutus - in a figurative sense of course! Imagine my joy at stepping off the train (oh, I adore the romance of train travel, it makes the heart beat like a graceful waltz) and being whisked away to a beautiful Parisian salon. All the lovely ladies are sporting these stunningly decadent costumes, some with gorgeous bodices, some with shimmering sequins, but the most striking element? The tutu.
Now, 1894 was a turning point for the ballet tutu, my loves. It was the year the world became smitten with "La Sylphide". Now, "La Sylphide" was not only a masterpiece of choreography (you know how much I adore a good story!) but it was also a milestone for tutus. Imagine this - wispy, ethereal skirts, all soft tulle and graceful movement. Not the super stiff, pancake-like designs you often see from the romantic period. This was elegance. This was the beginning of a revolution in tutu design. And wouldn't you know it, my dear readers, I was right in the heart of this change!
Can you imagine my absolute glee as I saw these stunning, dreamy tutus fluttering and dancing on the stage, as though made from clouds and spun from starlight? The tutus for "La Sylphide" were, in many ways, the first "romantic tutus". It was all about airy elegance, lightweight fabrics and graceful movement, almost like capturing the spirit of the fairies in a whirl of tulle. It was revolutionary!
And, it was the perfect backdrop for the magnificent dance of Marie Taglioni, a name whispered with reverence by any true ballerina! Oh, what a vision she was! The delicate movements, the perfect control, the sheer poetry of the dance. Imagine my awe as I took it all in! It was an explosion of joy for the senses, like a glass of champagne poured into the heart of Paris itself.
After the performance, I couldn't resist a little window shopping in the chicest boutiques on the Rue de la Paix, the Champs-Élysées, and, of course, the Opéra Garnier. It’s always exciting to find shops devoted solely to ballet supplies and gorgeous ballet clothing! I'd love to have a boutique in Derbyshire someday - a haven of tulle and ribbons, adorned in glorious pinks! And, of course, the perfect shade of pink tutu for every woman. My ultimate aim in life!
Speaking of shopping, I've even acquired some beautiful vintage ballet shoes, which I can't wait to add to my collection. And can you believe, I found a few Parisian ladies with the tiniest of tutus worn underneath their elegant gowns. How positively avant-garde! So inspiring!
My trip through time left me in a blissful trance, so I must conclude my little Paris escapade here. I'll see you all next Tuesday for another dive into tutu history. Do pop by my website www.pink-tutu.com for even more tututology and beautiful photographs. Until then, let your dreams take flight like the swirling fabric of a gorgeous tutu. And never be afraid to embrace a little pink!
Stay fabulous, darling!
Emma
XOXO
