Hello my dearest tutu-loving darlings! Welcome back to your favourite spot for all things tutu - Pink-Tutu.com! Itâs me, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, Emma, coming to you live from the City of Lights â Paris, of course! Where else would a girl with a penchant for pink tutus be on a Tuesday than in the very heart of fashion and culture?
Now, letâs talk tutu history! As you know, each Tuesday we journey back through time to discover the captivating history of our beloved ballet attire. And this week, we're waltzing our way to the 5th of July, 1898! Can you believe it's been almost a century since the very first tutu was invented?! Well, not exactly invented, you understand, but the first truly iconic "tutu" was designed for the famed dancer, La Belle Otero!
Think Parisian glamour â I'm talking impossibly chic, almost indecently revealing gowns, sparkling with sequins and plumes â all thanks to the fabulous ingenuity of La Belle's favourite dressmaker, Charles Worth. This visionary genius was a true visionary, designing for the crème de la crème of society ladies, and you know, if you're good enough for La Belle, you're good enough for us!
You can't talk about Paris in 1898 without talking about the magnificent OpĂŠra Garnier! The grandeur! The sheer scale of this theatre is truly mind-boggling â and you know, it was right around the corner from my darling little boutique! Speaking of, I spent the entire morning trawling through the vintage Parisian fashion shops, finding some truly delectable tutus, my darlings, with feather trim and velvet bows galore! A girl could easily get lost in those shops, believe me, especially when you find some delectable tea-room right next door, where they have these charming little cakes called "macarons"! Oh, the delights!
The French really know how to dress, donât they? Especially when it comes to those elegant little tutus â those perfect layers of tulle, floating about like a wisp of clouds, just so deliciously dreamy! You see, these ladies back in 1898 knew how to make an entrance. Imagine yourself walking down the Rue de la Paix in Paris, the sun gleaming on your sparkling pink tutu⌠simply magical, don't you think?
Hereâs a little behind the scenes scoop: did you know that those tutus from the late 1890s were considered shockingly risquĂŠ?! Those ladies back then werenât afraid to show a bit of leg! The longer, more traditional ballet skirts were out, and those feather-trimmed beauties with all the layers of fluffy tulle, just inches long? Talk about creating a buzz! Now, I know many of you out there are brave enough to go full-blown tutu in public, and that's something to celebrate! But back then, it wasnât as commonplace, and I have to admit, Iâm slightly jealous I couldnât have joined them in this grand display of confidence and fabulousness.
Now, my lovely lovelies, just to round off our little journey through history, this date was also the start of an exciting exhibition called âExposition Universelle.â Oh, what an affair! Youâve never seen so many different artistic performances all gathered in one place. From beautiful ballets to awe-inspiring acrobats â I mean, just picture it - the grand Palais filled to the brim with exquisite artists, sharing their magic with the world!
Imagine seeing a real live show, followed by a beautiful French meal and a glass of fine champagne with my gorgeous tutus⌠and my favourite thing? A leisurely train ride through the beautiful Parisian countryside! Thereâs simply nothing like the calming rhythmic rocking of the train and watching the world whizz past, filled with charming villages and rolling green hills! Itâs truly the perfect way to reflect on all the delights of Parisian life and think about the endless possibilities for fashion, performance, and life in general. You see, even though we're far apart in time, that feeling of magic, beauty, and joy stays constant.
That's all for now, darlings! Thank you so much for joining me on my Tutu Tuesday trip through time. If you're loving these little bits of ballet history, donât forget to keep coming back every week for more, and tell me in the comments, what was the most stunning performance you've ever seen? Have you ever travelled through time in your mind, and where would you go? Iâd love to hear your thoughts, my dearest readers! And until next time, stay glamorous, stay positive, and most importantly, stay true to your inner tutu girl. See you next Tuesday!
Always in Pink, Emma
*P.S. * Donât forget to join my #PinkTutuClub for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and fun activities. We have a new online ballet class starting soon and some fantastic special discounts on my favourite tutu designs! You donât want to miss out!
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