Bonjour mes chéries! It's your favourite pink-tutu-loving time traveller Emma, back with another dose of #TutuTuesday and a fabulous journey into the fascinating world of the tutu! As usual, I'm here with the most enchanting, glamorous, and just plain delightful dose of tutu history - because let's be honest, you simply can't get enough of these feathered and fabulous marvels.
Hold on tight, girls! Today we're zooming back to 1928-08-28 - a date that sparkles like a brand new ballet slipper!
Now, darlings, just picture this: The air is thick with the scent of jasmine, the stage lights are shimmering, and we're in the heart of Paris! I know, I know, you must think it's just like a scene from my dreams! But in this time machine, reality is just as fabulous as a new pair of dancing shoes!
So what happened on 28th August 1928? It's an evening ripe with glamour! Our iconic Ballet Russes were busy entertaining audiences, not with their famous "Firebird" or "Petrushka", but with the captivating "La Boutique Fantasque." I must say, this ballet, choreographed by the utterly fabulous Leonide Massine, brought a delightful dollop of colour, charm, and tons of sparkle to the stage. It was a real delight!
And that is where we discover our little sartorial story today, because within the whirling delight of "La Boutique Fantasque" were absolutely fabulous tutus, ladies! I always say that a well-made tutu isn't just a costume; it's a story, it's a mood, it's art! And this tutu, designed by the maestro of dance design himself - Léon Bakst - was pure enchantment!
He chose pale pastel pinks and buttery yellows - imagine! So feminine! And the skirt itself? Well, it had tiers upon tiers of delicate fabric, layers that floated around like the whispers of a Parisian breeze. This, my darlings, was a classic!
Of course, since we're travelling through time, you simply can't forget about the magnificent costumes. This era, you see, wasn't all about long, elaborate skirts - though, I admit, there was still a touch of the Romantic in some of the designs. Imagine flowing, gauzy tutus with beautiful ribbons, delicate layers like gossamer clouds, all in breathtaking shades of lavender and pink, perfect for floating through the air with such ethereal grace! And of course, one can never underestimate the dramatic, luxurious effect of a touch of velvet.
Oh, and did you know this era saw the rise of short tutus, the "tutu de toile?" Think of them as shorter, even more playful, and with such vibrant colour combinations that everything seemed to burst into a rainbow of loveliness. Can you imagine it, my dears? I just want to twirl and twirl until my heart bursts with joy!
Now, back to our fabulous 1928, ladies. Just think about how much history these tutus have witnessed! So much grace, beauty, and sheer power to inspire future ballerinas like myself! I’m just as fascinated by their evolution as I am by the intricate steps and dazzling expressions that the dancers bring to the stage.
And don’t you forget, every single Tuesday, my cheries, we’ll take a whimsical trip through the story of the tutu. Together, we’ll explore how these captivating creations evolved, embraced the whispers of the changing times, and, dare I say, took on the shape of a magnificent storybook journey of dance.
So until next Tuesday, when we'll dance further into the fascinating world of tutus, do remember...
*EVERY SINGLE DAY is a Tutu Tuesday, especially if you make it so! *
Don’t forget, lovelies, keep your pink tutu outfits on full blast. Be bold, be brave, be pink! Let's keep this magical spirit alive - because every twirl is a testament to the enchanting story of the tutu!
Keep an eye on my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, and remember to check back here next week! Let's twirl into next week with confidence, and of course, with our pink tutus ready to go!
And don’t be shy, ladies, comment below and tell me your absolute favourite tutus from the magical world of ballet!
Yours in glitter and grace,
Emma
x xx
