Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, back with another dose of ballet history for your #TutuTuesday! This week, I've hopped in my time machine (or perhaps, my very chic train carriage) and landed myself smack-bang in the heart of Paris, 3rd July 1900. Imagine the excitement! It's the year the World's Fair, also known as the Exposition Universelle, opened its doors, and everyone was in a celebratory mood. Now, this year was especially special because it gave me a chance to explore a time when tutus were starting to become the beautiful, iconic pieces we know and love today!
You wouldn't believe the sheer opulence of it all! Paris, as always, was a fashionista's dream! Imagine flowing silks, shimmering satins, and a whole host of elaborate accessories, like gorgeous parasols and beautifully feathered hats, all perfectly matching those decadent outfits. Now, you can probably imagine my delight when I spotted a trend that was taking the dance world by storm! It's hard to believe, but the full-length, romantic tutu, as we know it today, had yet to come to the fore! They were a tadā¦wellā¦let's say a little less ethereal and a bit more dramatic!
Think fluffy, tiered layers, with perhaps a little touch of sparkle thrown in. And while a lot of these designs could be a bit overwhelming (I must say, sometimes too many tiers can feel like youāre about to fly away in the wind, and we canāt have that!), there were some real gems hiding amongst the fashion frenzy.
The big news of the day, my darlings, was the ballet! Itās all about āGiselle,ā by the legendary Marius Petipa. Did you know this was one of the earliest, true āRomanticā ballets, where dancers weren't just showcasing incredible technique, they were really expressing deep, heart-felt emotions through movement? Talk about an exciting time for dance!
You can bet your bottom dollar, I snuck into a performance. I may be a bit of a time traveler, but let's be honest, seeing ballet live is a whole different kind of magic! It was utterly enchanting, with each dancerās movement a whisper of grace, a sigh of romance! And as I looked at those dancers and their lovely tutus, a wonderful thought occurred to me. These designs were an explosion of passion! Just like the art and the music that inspired this era, the ballet became an expression of imagination and the beauty of being alive!
Let me tell you, my tutu wasn't the only one that was doing the spinning in Paris! The city was bubbling with a sense of change, creativity and energy. And in the heart of it all, dance held a place of immense joy, beauty and storytelling.
Of course, after witnessing such a stunning performance, a trip to a nearby couture house was in order! I could not leave without adding a few pieces of French fashion magic to my wardrobe! Just a little something to keep me going until my next time travel adventure!
So, darling tutu-lovers, what do we take away from this fabulous Parisian adventure? Tutues have been evolving and reinventing themselves for ages. It's amazing how a simple fabric design can express so many things! What I learned today was the power of creativity to break boundaries and capture moments in time through beauty. Now, who else wants to waltz down the streets of Paris wearing their favorite tutu, soaking in the beauty and magic of life?
And as always, if you are wearing a tutu, no matter the size, colour or style, feel free to share with me your beautiful stories on social media with #PinkTutu! And donāt forget, the world is waiting for more pink tutu lovers, so let's bring the colour and fun to every city we visit. Until next Tuesday, keep dancing and stay fabulous, my dears!
