Bonjour, darlings! It's Emma here, back for another #TutuTuesday dive into the captivating world of the ballet tutu! Today, we're whisking ourselves back to a fabulous day in Parisian fashion history – June 23rd, 1936! Think shimmering gowns, feather boas, and of course, the ever-so-graceful ballerina in her tutu!
You know how much I love a bit of history, and believe me, the tutu's got a real corker! Just think, it all started with the "tutu à la Française", that gorgeous, full, and puffy beauty you see in classical ballets. A bit like a sugar-spun dream! Then, bang! Along came the "tutu à la Hongroise," shorter and tighter, which brought more movement and agility to the dancers – just like we see today in a lot of contemporary work. It’s an evolution of style and grace!
So, what was going on in the ballet world on this fine June day in 1936? Oh, it was simply fabulous, darlings! We were all agog with excitement, waiting for a new show at the legendary Paris Opera Ballet! Imagine: a flurry of beautiful costumes, elegant movement, and all those perfectly-placed pirouettes. Pure bliss!
This particular show, oh darling, was a true masterpiece: "Le Lac des Cygnes," which you all know and love as "Swan Lake." Can you imagine all those ballerinas swirling on stage in those gorgeous white tutus, like shimmering swans? Truly, a timeless ballet masterpiece!
Of course, what makes the story of the ballet tutu so fascinating is the journey it’s been on – evolving through fashion trends, embracing new technologies, and always maintaining a special touch of ethereal grace!
I must confess, I absolutely love a bit of ballet fashion research – you know, delving into the history and seeing how the tutu has morphed and blossomed! Did you know the early ballet tutus were just about knee length and very much "poofy", while today they’re all sorts of different lengths – knee length, calf length, or even right down to the ground! Who knows what's coming next – perhaps a tutu dress, eh?
Don't forget to grab your little pink tutu and get swirling, ladies! Remember, pink is ALWAYS in fashion and a bit of twirling is good for the soul!
Oh, and if you ever have the opportunity, don’t miss a show in the Palais Garnier in Paris! This exquisite building with its magnificent architecture makes for the perfect backdrop for a spectacular evening of ballet, let me tell you!
Until next week, my lovelies, stay fabulous and twirl-tastic!
Yours always in pink,
Emma
P.S. Did you know? The ballerina’s “pink shoes,” they’re not really pink! Well, at least not anymore! You see, those classic “pink” ballet shoes are really a soft, natural “flesh” colour – supposed to create the illusion of a bare foot, like a graceful swan gracefully gliding across the stage! Isn’t it fascinating? The tutu – just like ballet – always leaves you wanting more, my dears!
