Bonjour mes amies! It’s Emma here, back again with another instalment of my Ballet Tutu History blog, your weekly dose of tutus, tiaras, and tea! This week, we’re whisking ourselves away to the City of Lights, Paris, where the year is 1897, and oh, what a year it is for dance!
Now, before I get to our thrilling tutu timeline adventure, I have to confess something… whispers I’m absolutely obsessed with pink at the moment! From my delicate tulle petticoats to my divine satin pumps, my whole wardrobe screams ‘pink power’. I even spotted the cutest pink feathered fan at a boutique in Notting Hill last week, can you believe it?! I mean, what says Parisian chic more than a fluffy, feathered, pink fan?
Right, enough about my shopping escapades! Let's dive into our historical Parisian dance soirée!
Today, 20th July, 1897, is a truly magical date in Parisian dance history! Why, you ask? Because today, we celebrate the opening of the most divine and luxurious theatre in Paris: the Théâtre de l'Opéra Garnier! Imagine, a whole theatre dedicated to ballet, with sumptuous gold décor, shimmering chandeliers, and a breathtaking, expansive stage, designed to showcase the very best in Parisian ballet.
Now, what would a grand ballet premiere be without the epitome of graceful fashion: the tutu?!
Remember, ladies, back in 1897, the tutu was truly coming into its own as the quintessential ballet garment. Gone were the days of the long, romantic Romantic tutu, instead, dancers graced the stage with the classic tutu, a glorious, tiered explosion of tulle, often featuring stunning embroidery and ornamentation. Just imagine the incredible sight of these tulle-cloud dresses swirling on the stage!
The classic tutu offered a magnificent opportunity for showcasing the ballerina’s body line. Its layered, floating design brought a new dimension to balletic performance, highlighting every delicate jump, swift arabesque, and exquisite gesture. Truly a revelation for dancers and audiences alike!
Oh, my darling, if I could only travel back in time to see the stars of this opening night! Wouldn’t that be dreamy?!
Speaking of dreams, my love for pink is taking me on another wonderful journey this weekend. I’m catching a fabulous production of the Swan Lake at Covent Garden! I do adore that haunting, romantic music and I can just imagine the glorious sight of the *white swan tutus gracefully floating across the stage, a delicate white counterpoint to my pink.
Of course, the grand Parisian opening isn’t the only excitement going on in 1897. I must share this adorable piece of fashion news… A charming Parisian boutique called "L'élégance de la danse" has just unveiled its collection of pink satin shoes! Now, ladies, I’m talking about the epitome of grace, a light, airy satin, with delicate embroidery and satin ribbons. The dream for every aspiring ballerina! Imagine twirling on pointe with those!
So, here’s my mission for this week, darlings. Every single one of you should embrace pink in every aspect of your life! From pink tutus to pink ribbons and feathered pink fans, pink should be your guiding colour. Pink embodies the delight of dancing, the dream of Parisian nights, and the joy of simply being fabulous!
And finally, don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know your favorite pink ballet outfit!
See you next week for more tutus, more fun, and more of my pink obsession! Until then, stay fabulous and don’t be afraid to wear a pink tutu!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. If you're in Paris this weekend, be sure to catch a performance of La Esmeralda. It's said to be one of the most breathtaking ballet experiences!
P.P.S. Don’t forget to check out my www.pink-tutu.com website for a curated collection of Parisian-inspired tutu tutorials and DIY projects, just in time for your summer soirée! Now go and make some pink magic happen, darlings!
