Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog, the only blog dedicated to celebrating the glorious evolution of the ballet tutu! It's your girl, Emma, your trusty guide to all things tulle, sparkles, and tutus. This week, let's journey to Paris, where it's always the perfect time for a little pink tutu chic. I've travelled back in time, straight to the Belle Epoque, the beautiful, artistic and flamboyant period from the 1870s to the 1910s. And boy oh boy, this era truly makes me feel like a ballerina princess!
Now, it's 20 July 1909, and I'm wearing my brand new pink tutu from the grand boutique at La Belle Jardinière (it’s so swoonworthy, they've really outdone themselves!). This exquisite little number is crafted from layers of diaphanous silk, which, I'm so excited to share, is now all the rage! This is a dramatic, almost magical, departure from the cotton tutus of the past, and allows for more intricate layering. Oh, my darlings, you just have to see the shimmering, sun-catching sparkle it creates on the stage!
As you all know, my favourite thing is a great show. This week, I’ve found myself in the midst of Paris, in that fabulous Palais Garnier Opera House (you all must have seen it - such majestic architecture!). And, today, my eyes were treated to a most divine performance, “Le Pavillon d'Armide" by Marius Petipa (how divine, right?)
Speaking of shows, today is also the first anniversary of one of the greatest ballets of all time: "The Rite of Spring", which, for me, is the definition of ballet grandeur! Imagine, this stunning production features some of the most incredible tutus: layered and sculpted and made with a huge volume of tulle and lace. My dear, there’s truly no finer sight than seeing those stunning tutus on the dancers.
It wouldn't be right to leave Paris without some time dedicated to shopping, of course! The beautiful ladies of the Belle Epoque are just as crazy for pink as I am! This vibrant, bold colour really symbolizes freedom and youth. It’s even fashionable for young ladies to wear all pink ensembles and the men, believe it or not, even sport the colour as their tipping points. Now that’s fabulous!
So, let me tell you a little bit about the shops that were gracing the city today! Galeries Lafayette is still one of the largest, and is full of wonderful and inspiring French fashion and couture. The window displays are out of this world. This is truly an amazing time to be living in Paris for fashion, even the department stores, like Au Printemps are offering all the latest trends! You've never seen so much feather boa in your life! I could buy all of it and just drown in feathers and tulle! And oh my goodness, all these elaborate dresses are the most magnificent thing! Some of them have these gorgeous bustles in the back that look like delicate birdcages, oh darling, the detailing is utterly perfect. And those bodices! With satin bows and velvet ribbon - the possibilities are endless. It’s a truly beautiful and expressive time for all women, both on stage and off.
Oh, darling, the one thing I will always cherish about Belle Epoque Paris? The glorious Parisian women in all their flamboyant, fashion-forward splendour! And of course, you can't forget about The Eiffel Tower! That iconic structure is truly a thing of beauty and something all tutu-lovers must see at least once in their lives. And it has that most divine pink hue on a perfect day! It’s so lovely, it could easily have been a Parisian muse in the most fabulous ballerina costume - heaven! Oh, but darling, my train is leaving the station and I can't be late to the next big ballet!
See you all next week on #TutuTuesday. Don't forget to pop by my www.pink-tutu.com site for all the sparkly fun!
Love and tulle, Emma, Xox
