#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1901-10-22

Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday all about the glorious history of the tutu! It's a chilly October morning in Paris, but my heart is warmed by the gorgeous pink tutu I'm twirling in, it's perfect for the crisp air.

I've just been on the most magnificent train journey from London, I adore those long journeys, and it seems like everyone loves a bit of sparkle too. The whole train was alive with the anticipation of the ballet performance, you could just feel it. It was almost like we were all dancing along on the train! The French really do have a certain joie de vivre when it comes to fashion and the arts, wouldn't you agree?

Speaking of Paris and sparkling tutus, today is the 22nd of October, 1901. And it's time to dive into the enchanting world of ballet history! It's rather thrilling to think we are at the dawn of a brand new century! Today, darling, I'm going to talk about a certain dancer - Anna Pavlova, she was the toast of Paris, the embodiment of elegance and artistry. I'm squealing with excitement as I tell you that today, she’s being acclaimed in Paris in her new and most stunning ballet role: a ballet called ‘Le Cygne’ which, of course, means "The Swan," she has enchanted everyone! Now imagine that graceful bird made into a delicate ballerina form, that’s Anna! I heard that the audience just couldn’t stop gasping with excitement, and they simply adored the choreography of Michel Fokine, with its romantic air. Anna in a feathery costume - so beautiful! The press has gone mad for it and for her, everyone is praising it, oh my goodness! Le Cygne will probably become one of the most celebrated ballets of all time.

You know I can’t resist the excitement, I just had to pop into the theatre today and see for myself - that lovely Parisian theatre, oh how glamorous. Anna really was magnificent and her movements… truly poetic! They are talking of her beauty all over Paris, what a queen! I had to, naturally, go straight to the most fabulous Parisian millinery shops to buy the most stunning hat! What can I say, darlings, it simply goes with every tutu - and you know how I love to see all the glorious tutus.

But darling, do you think it's time to get more adventurous with our tutus? Now that I'm wearing my little pink tutu with my gorgeous new hat I feel like I could wear one to go to the theatre, the shops or even to a picnic - I just know I’m not the only one! What’s stopping us from going the full ‘Tutu-ing’ way of life?

And just because I have some serious girly girl tutu cravings (and some of those lovely shop window displays are truly gorgeous - especially that gorgeous pink tulle! Let’s chat about that amazing Parisian department store “La Samaritaine” , oh what a place! It opened in the year I was born 1870! Imagine that: twenty-two whole years of gorgeous clothing, perfumes, silks, jewellery…the works! I swear to you, I would not come out for months, it has so much lovely fashion and all the colours.

If I could find one exceptional pink tulle (that one special tulle!), it’s gonna go straight to my seamstress, I simply have to make more gorgeous tutus for my dance routines and… (don’t you dare judge!) for everything else, for life is too short to not twirl!

Well darlings, I shall leave you with this little gem - what I know to be fact in all things tutus! Tutus really were made for dancing. That lightness, that elegance, that freedom … That’s the thing that I just love the most. And maybe - just maybe it is that very quality which brings so much joy to every ballet fan, in every town and every city, right across the world.

Tutu on!

See you next Tuesday for my next #TutuTuesday, when I’m going to discuss another history of tutu moment...I shall reveal all on Tuesday in my next blog.

XOXO,

Emma

P.S The most delightful shop - Galeries Lafayette , is just a few shops along from La Samaritaine and they are also amazing! It feels like every day is a new celebration in Paris and we love it! And I simply love the excitement of all the theatres at the beginning of a new year – just watch those theatres in Paris and look at the dresses...gorgeous.

A note for those wanting to visit France: Do visit, it’s a beautiful country - the trains take you through some fabulous landscapes and don’t miss a chance to watch ballet - but get a ticket first!

Also if you like shopping do pop along to “Les Grands Magasins" *it will be an exciting place, a real joy, with an exciting fashion buzz about the place, the best for shopping - there is a fantastic display of colourful and modern designs and that lovely je ne sais quoi (what do you say to that) that is so very French, isn't it just lovely? I just love shopping and all the fashions of the Parisian department stores, just lovely. The best bit is I can go to a show every evening in this beautiful, cultured city, there is just so much choice of fabulous ballet and theatres!

I’d love to hear your thoughts - and I simply love to hear of your #TutuTuesday too so let's be fabulous, I’ll be back here on Tuesdays.

Remember… I want everyone to wear a pink tutu …