Hello, my lovely tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday, where we journey through the dazzling history of our beloved ballet tutus! This week, we're waltzing back in time to the 16th of August, 1898 - and let me tell you, Paris is positively bursting with joie de vivre!
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, I do love a good village fête or a stroll through the Peak District. But nothing beats the vibrant energy of Paris. Just the thought of the charming Parisian streets, the scent of freshly baked croissants, and the endless Parisian boutiques, filled with exquisite fashion, makes me want to spin a pirouette!
Today, we’re standing outside the Opéra Garnier, a majestic building, draped in an aura of elegance and grandeur. You could feel the thrill in the air as the carriage doors clattered open, letting out ladies with extravagant bonnets and gentlemen sporting splendid waistcoats, their steps quickening with anticipation. A true celebration of the finer things in life - something we can definitely learn from, my dears!
But it’s not just the beauty of the building or the people that's making my heart flutter. It’s because tonight is a special night! It’s the opening night of a brand new ballet production by the great Marius Petipa, one of the giants of the ballet world, you know! The air crackles with the excitement of anticipation for what lies in store!
This date in history also holds another special place in my tutu-filled heart, dear readers. You see, I just adore how fashion has evolved over the years and 1898, believe me, is no exception!
Can you imagine a dress with a long, billowing skirt made from ethereal layers of tulle, soft and light as a feather? Picture it - a breathtaking dance, graceful movements…oh, what an inspiration! These are the early days of the Romantic era tutu.
I’m feeling the same exquisite delicacy reflected in the pastel colours, the soft drapes, and the lace-edged trims so fashionable today in Paris! It’s not about covering up - it's all about emphasizing movement, making the ballerinas glide effortlessly on the stage like the soft petals of a rose.
But what’s that? Someone has brought to my attention something fascinating! As I’m admiring a woman in an extraordinary floral patterned gown with an intricate ribbon bodice (a must-have this season!), a kind gentleman, who tells me his name is Charles, tells me something truly delightful!
He whispers, "You should have seen the costumes at yesterday's fashion show, miss! A lady in a tutu the colour of a blossoming cherry, paired with the most beautiful pink satin bodice, stole the show!"
And the crowd went wild, he says! You see, my darlings, ballet is no longer confined to the opera house! It’s starting to make a big splash in fashion, even influencing everyday wear - such a wonderful change for our beloved ballet!
That was such an exciting little piece of gossip! Even if this little bit of "ballet-infused fashion" wasn't the focus of our discussion for today, I still wanted to share it with you because of how it makes my tutu-filled heart flutter. I just love how we, as a global community of tutu-lovers, share a special bond that unites us!
As I soak in the energy of the Parisian night, I have a sneaking suspicion that this little piece of ballet fashion history will influence so many designs in the future, especially when it comes to my favorite thing - the pink tutu. I'm so eager to see how it'll inspire the designers and how this colour will inspire ballerinas for years to come!
So remember my little darlings, as you dance through the streets of Paris, or any other part of the world for that matter, don't forget - pink is a colour that embodies love, passion, and of course, beautiful, whimsical tutus. It is a colour that can light up any room and can certainly inspire you to take those dance steps and follow your dreams. It’s definitely what we want to achieve! The more pink tutus out there in the world, the brighter, more joyful our lives will be!
Now, tell me, have you got your pink tutu on today? Or maybe, a pink dress with a lace trim and a long flowing skirt - so that everyone can feel the delicate touch of a ballet-inspired look in everyday life! I am so curious to hear all about your outfits, so do write me a comment below, dear readers! I will be waiting for you at the beautiful pink-tutu.com website, with an open heart (and, of course, a tutu!)
Stay elegant, stay bright and see you all next week for another #TutuTuesday!
Your Pink-tutu loving friend, Emma
