Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back again with another delightful delve into the history of our beloved ballet tutu.
It’s Tuesday, which means it’s #TutuTuesday, and oh my goodness, you wouldn’t believe what I’ve just discovered! This week, I popped off on a little trip to the most wonderful city in the world - Paris, of course! – to take in a few exquisite ballets. Now, if there’s one thing I love more than a fluffy pink tutu, it’s a French ballet performance, don’t you agree?
As you know, I’m always on the lookout for a bit of tutudom history, and let me tell you, today I had an absolute peach of a time exploring some of the oldest, most opulent theatres and costume workshops. The atmosphere here is simply intoxicating, with a vibrant pulse that thrums with passion for ballet. Imagine, darling, a city that feels like one giant dance studio!
Today’s date? 6th January 1942.
It may sound like a mundane date, but let me tell you, this time period was filled with artistic fervor, especially here in Paris. Amidst the tumultuous world outside the theatres, there was a kind of quiet revolution happening in the world of ballet.
Imagine my delight, dear reader, when I stumbled upon an exclusive private viewing at the Musée de l'Opéra. They were exhibiting some truly extraordinary items - a glimpse into the past, right before our very eyes! I had to be a part of it, naturally, and this is where my heart went truly aflutter: imagine a room full of the most intricate and beautifully designed tutus from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, just waiting to be explored!
The oldest tutu in the collection was a simple, rather modest creation from the 1880s. The tulle was incredibly soft, a delicate, ethereal white with an airy, almost dreamy feel. I had to admit, for a moment, I thought of a fluffy cloud - or perhaps a cotton candy cloud, because how else can one describe the heavenly lightness of such an early tutu?
My favourite discovery, though, was a spectacular red velvet tutu from 1909. It was simply stunning – a perfect silhouette with rows of graceful ruffles, a glorious showstopper on its own!
This discovery, my dear friends, was my little epiphany. It wasn’t the actual date of 6th January 1942 that had me swooning – though I confess it had its own kind of romantic charm - but the way this period exemplified how the ballet tutu evolved with its surroundings, how it adapted and responded to fashion trends and artistic movements of its time.
Speaking of trends, my outfit today was a simple pink ballet tutu. You all know how much I love to show off my pink side and a classic, soft tulle tutu with beautiful ballerina-pink embroidery just seemed to fit this day perfectly. You wouldn't believe the amazing fashion shop I found on the way to the theatre! And it’s got some of the best accessories you've ever seen – not just the lovely tiaras I bought, darling, but even adorable little sparkly bags that looked like dancing shoes! I can't wait to show you all later on this week in my blog post for www.pink-tutu.com.
You’d be surprised, darling, what little gems one finds on such a seemingly uneventful date, if only you knew where to look. The story of the ballet tutu, much like any other fascinating story, is all about appreciating the small moments, the hidden details, and the subtle shifts that eventually contribute to something spectacular, like the evolution of this delightful piece of costume artistry.
As the Parisian skies painted the sky in stunning hues of lavender and dusk pink, I savoured a glass of pink lemonade (how very fitting, don’t you think, for a pink tutu-loving blogger?) while thinking about what a fabulous day this had been. There’s something very magical, very uplifting about getting to share this kind of discovery with you all. It truly makes this little pink-loving time traveller’s heart soar!
Remember to keep an eye on my blog, dear readers. My little pink tutu is always exploring, travelling, and discovering – whether it be at the most glorious ballet performances or quaint little vintage shops on a Parisian street, there’s a magical story waiting to be uncovered on any day.
And until next Tuesday, dear readers, keep dancing your hearts out and remember, always add a dash of pink sparkle wherever you go. After all, even the most mundane day can be transformed with the power of a pink tutu, right?
With love,
Emma xx
