Hello, lovelies! It's Emma here from Derbyshire, your trusty #PinkTutu guide to the history of this delightful garment! This is post number 3291 on the www.pink-tutu.com website, and it's #TutuTuesday - time for another exciting journey through the evolution of this elegant and utterly fabulous piece of dancewear!
Today, we're whisking back to 22nd January 1895, to the grand stage of the Paris Opera. Oh la la! Can you imagine? I can just picture myself twirling amongst the dazzling crowds in a luscious, frilly, hot pink tutu! The Paris Opera has always been a mecca for ballet lovers - the grand ballet, the shimmering costumes, the atmosphere buzzing with the thrill of performance!
This was a particularly special time in ballet history - a golden age! Just last year, "La Belle au Bois Dormant" (Sleeping Beauty), a ballet in three acts, premiered here, set to the exquisite score of the masterful Tchaikovsky! You've simply GOT to catch it if you get the chance - it's one of the most enchanting performances ever, and the tutus - oh, they are positively stunning!
But let's rewind the clock a little... This date, 22nd January 1895, is special not because of the grand ballet happening at the opera. It's significant for another reason entirely. This was the day that the esteemed dancer, Anna Pavlova, a mere 17 years old, made her debut in the Imperial Ballet in St Petersburg. What a talent! She's truly revolutionized the ballet scene. And her outfits - divine! Just picture a perfectly honed dancer in a tutu, swirling and leaping like a beautiful butterfly in a shimmering whirlwind. Pure magic!
Speaking of magic, don't forget - you can relive a touch of this magical era right now. If youāre ever lucky enough to be in St Petersburg, you MUST visit the Imperial Ballet! The beautiful, intricate movements and the enchanting stories - ballet's ability to transport us to a different world, to another time, is simply unparalleled!
Now, how am I getting around on this fascinating time-hopping adventure? Well, I've found a tremendous love for the railway! These wonderful locomotives chugging through the countryside, transporting me from one extraordinary historical moment to another ā there's no greater way to travel, in my opinion. Plus, who needs boring car journeys when you can have an adventure on a steam train? And who wouldn't want a delicious picnic on the journey? Don't forget the champagne!
Talking of ādon't forgetā, I mustnāt forget to tell you about a little something special about January in 1895! Do you love shopping as much as I do? I've heard about this dazzling event, an event dedicated entirely to fashion - "Le Salon de la Haute Couture", held every January in Paris! Oh, imagine the exquisite fabrics, the exquisite colours, and the exquisite designs! Can you picture it? You have to catch this spectacular event at least once in your life. You won't be disappointed. I wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than a frilly pink tutu at this fantastic occasion! And my dearest readers, trust me - the pink tutu is definitely the āitā fashion piece right now. You just canāt go wrong.
Speaking of fashion, how can I leave you without sharing some delightful design news with you! As you all know, ballet's a constant inspiration for me, and this year in 1895 there is SO much beautiful ballet-inspired fashion around - just wonderful for finding inspiration for those magnificent tutus we love! And itās only growing more fabulous every single day!
This week I found myself at a vintage store (with all its fascinating fashion pieces), where I saw a design for a beautiful tutu costume, with layers and layers of tulle - so perfectly dramatic and glamorous! Imagine being able to twirl and spin and almost float across the floor in something so divine! Imagine those delicate and feminine ballet-inspired skirts, the intricate lace and those shimmering materials. You could practically wear this outfit anywhere, even outside the theatre - it would absolutely knock your socks off, (pardon the pun, ladies and gentlemen, but honestly - socks have nothing on tutus! They just donāt have that special je ne sais quoi.)
In keeping with my usual "get everyone into tutus!" mission, I decided to give it a shot! You know I've never been afraid to take risks (unless it involves getting into trouble... then maybe...but just maybe...!) I have to give it a try! My heart beats a little faster when I think about what it's going to be like to try a TutuTuesday experiment and venture outside my favourite tutu sanctuary ā the ballet studio - for the first time! This little daredevil here in a pink tutu on the London streets...oh my, imagine the stares. It's definitely going to be a ālook at meā outfit that will certainly get some attention! Iāll be reporting back next week on this experiment in all its wonderful, whimsical glory ā letās hope I make it back here in one piece!
But hey, whatās a little adventure without some drama? After all, the thrill of a little ānot sure if I can actually do thisā ā well, that's what it's all about! Who wouldāve thought wearing tutus could be so exciting, right? This #TutuTuesday, it's time for me to share my experiences and maybe even give some of you ladies (and gentlemen - come on, why not?!) a little nudge in the right direction when it comes to dressing your inner tutu girl (or guy)!
Remember, you can always get in touch with your inner ballerina. Thatās what makes these #TutuTuesday journeys so much fun! So what are you waiting for, loves? Find that perfect tutu that makes you want to leap and twirl like a real-life ballerina! Until next #TutuTuesday! Xxoo
