Hello dears, it's Emma from www.pink-tutu.com, and it's a gorgeous #TutuTuesday!
Oh, my dears, what a thrill it is to be travelling through time today! I'm perched in my darling little pink tutu, in a darling little cafe just off the Champs-Elysees, the most beautiful avenue in all of Paris! Just thinking about the stylish Parisians, and the beautiful Parisian fashion… sigh... just thinking about it all fills me with joy!
But enough about me and my Parisian fancies for now. Today we're hopping aboard our trusty time machine, fuelled by a heaping spoonful of sugar, and a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea (always a must!), and whizzing off to a day that really changed how we view tutus – 10th June, 1919!
That's right, my darlings, the year when The Sleeping Beauty, by the brilliant choreographer Marius Petipa, debuted with a beautiful, grand, and completely breathtaking performance at the Covent Garden Opera House in London! Imagine it, my lovelies, that moment of absolute magic…
Now, this Sleeping Beauty performance was truly special. It wasn’t the first performance of this show, mind you, it’d premiered in St. Petersburg back in 1890! However, this London debut was truly groundbreaking. Imagine a scene where the audience, captivated by the magic on stage, was spellbound as The Sleeping Beauty awakened, graceful in her dazzling tutu, from her long slumber.
Now, you'd think, wouldn't you, that the year The Sleeping Beauty debuted (1890!) was a tutu's finest hour? Well, no. This London premiere of 1919 gave us a new, grand vision of a grander tutu.
This Sleeping Beauty gave tutus an incredible makeover, pushing beyond the more practical 'Romantic' tutu which had graced the ballet stage for decades. The 'Romantic' tutu was a softer silhouette, a lovely swirling whisper, perfect for nimble leaps. But this one... This one was different.
Picture this: a grander, fuller, and more elaborate structure that embraced the classical movement, with graceful tiers and multiple layers of tulle. Each movement in the dance was showcased by these stunning, magnificent tutus, creating a spectacle of flowing fabric and perfect movements. Imagine that swish! That elegance! Oh my, this ballet brought about a revolution in tutu fashion!
What I found absolutely fascinating, you see, was the reaction of the public at the time! People, from society ladies to gentlemen with their bowler hats, went positively wild for The Sleeping Beauty. It caused such a stir that it almost felt as though this London stage debut marked the real 'start' of tutus as we know them today.
Now, here’s a secret, you simply cannot wear a traditional Sleeping Beauty tutu. Imagine the layers, the stiff fabrics… even with my trusty time machine, this is one outfit even I can’t quite manage. But I love how tutus evolved in this beautiful time, inspired by this extraordinary ballet performance. The change in how ballerinas moved and the shapes the tutus took! A wonderful mix of femininity and grandeur that perfectly complements the stories of ballet!
After that magnificent show, tutus took a grand leap forward, becoming bolder, bigger, and much more breathtaking than before. Think dramatic, layered, grand designs in elegant, luxurious fabrics. Oh, the romantic elegance, my dears, and the poetry in motion that it truly evoked! This was the moment when tutus began to shine brightly and gracefully on the international stage, becoming a true symbol of dance!
Think of that stunning tulle, its gentle softness and grace. A real embodiment of a beautiful, lighthearted, fluttering fantasy that dances through history and time. Now you see why tutus have such a strong hold over our hearts.
But wait, that’s not all, my darlings! You might be surprised to know that a certain Mademoiselle Chanel herself was drawn to the stage’s influence – I adore Coco Chanel! Her bold fashion, how revolutionary! — and you can spot hints of this ballerina influence in her iconic, stunning clothing designs.
Even today, The Sleeping Beauty holds a place in our hearts – or, rather, on our dance floors – even those of us with absolutely no ballet training (me, of course! ). You can catch a re-imagining of the show almost everywhere, at prestigious Royal Opera Houses in Paris, New York, Moscow and, of course, the wonderful Covent Garden here in London.
Now, I can just see some of you already – and I love your enthusiasm – asking for my opinion on what to wear to the Sleeping Beauty. Well, it depends, dear friends! A ballet show offers a lovely excuse for a dress! Perhaps a simple black, but maybe with a splash of pink somewhere! It could be a little ruffle or bow - a subtle but sophisticated hint of ballerina in your look!
Oh, but enough about my little outfit. The real fashion story is about this stunning grand Sleeping Beauty tutu – an absolute icon! I do love a beautiful, grand Sleeping Beauty tutu! Do have a wonderful #TutuTuesday, dears! And I hope to see you next week, as always, on www.pink-tutu.com.
P.S. Don’t forget, dear friends, I am also collecting stories of your tutu memories. Tell me! What was the first tutu you ever wore? Where and when was that magical ballet show that inspired your tutu-love? Share your thoughts with me! My little mailbox is always open, just send an email to
