Hello darling tutu-lovers! Welcome back to another edition of #TutuTuesday, my weekly journey through the fascinating history of the ballet tutu! This week, we're whisking ourselves off to Paris, a city synonymous with chic and, of course, ballet. It's July 24th 1951, the air is thick with the scent of freshly baked croissants, and the sun is reflecting off the Seine in all its glory. It's a perfect day to indulge in a little bit of French elegance and, naturally, some fabulous tutus!
Post number 6239, darlings! I can’t believe we’ve come so far! Every week, you fabulous lot are showing up and that is making my heart dance! Let’s hop aboard that time-traveling tutu train and see what ballet-ific marvels await! 🚂 🩰
Now, if we were to step into a Parisian theatre on this very day, we would see ballerinas gliding across the stage in costumes fit for a princess! Imagine this: wispy tulle, delicate lace, and vibrant colours that wouldn’t be out of place on a catwalk. It was the golden age of ballet, and the tutus were as flamboyant as the dance itself!
But let’s rewind the clock a bit. In 1951, we’re firmly in the era of the Romantic tutu, a creation that swept ballet into the world of fairy tales and whimsical beauty. These tutus were longer, flowing down the dancer’s legs and creating that magical, almost ethereal, look. Think ballerina swirling like a gentle breeze, or perhaps a flower dancing in a summer meadow. Romantic tutus weren’t all about romanticism though, they were about freeing up the movement, giving ballerinas the room to move and soar.
You might be wondering how I got here. I might not be a princess, but like my dear Marie Antoinette, I do like to live the good life! You see, my life revolves around the most magical thing in the world: Ballet! And thanks to some very kind patrons and sponsors who just love my blog and performances (and possibly my fabulous tutus), I am able to travel to the places that made ballet history. It is, as the French would say, magnifique!
My travel fund is filled with my hard-earned performance money (you know, being the ballerina is the most demanding, rewarding job! 😅 ) but don't worry my dear tutu lovers, my sponsors love my ballet, my fashion choices, my travelling and of course, you fabulous lot reading my blog, you make my life a ballet of happiness. 💖
Now, to bring us back to our current location, I am in love with Paris! So much so, that I am doing some serious shopping for new tutus. It's absolutely irresistible here, everything is chic, oh la la! I know you, my fellow tutu-enthusiasts, love fashion too! I even spotted some utterly divine floral fabric that I can’t wait to add to my tutu collection! I bet a pink tutu in a Parisian floral pattern would look oh so sophisticated on any dancer, and perfect for the ballets in a stunning Paris garden! 🌻 🩰
But hold on! This blog wouldn’t be complete without an exciting historical moment, a special event on this very day! This July 24th, 1951, saw the unveiling of the “La Belle Hélène” by Jacques Offenbach at the Theatre des Champs-Elysées. 🎼 What a performance, what costumes! What beauty and grace. This is exactly what this day is all about! And the fashion! It was like a magical, twirling vision of Parisian glamour! It was pure elegance. I felt a shiver run down my spine, it was so glamorous, such an extraordinary time for dance. You can just imagine, dear reader, the breathtaking elegance of the women dancing in these romantic tutus.
Oh, my darlings, Paris truly does feel like the heart of ballet history! I can just imagine a tutu-loving woman of 1951, twirling on the cobblestones, smiling under the Parisian sun. Maybe, even just for a moment, wearing her dreamy pink tutu and feeling a touch of elegance and fairytale magic.
Tutu-tip of the day! Why not find some beautiful vintage fabric and make yourself a beautiful romantic-era tutu? If you're anything like me, there's no better way to spend a Tuesday night than indulging in some homemade tutu creations! I bet you can make your own beautiful romantic style tutu, all that beautiful, fluffy, tulle, perfect for dancing and whirling like a real-life fairytale. It's easy peasy. Don’t forget to show me your creations! 🩰
Oh, darling! It’s getting late in Paris! It's time for this ballerina to take a dip into a decadent chocolate mousse while daydreaming of those stunning tutus. Thank you for joining me for another fantastic #TutuTuesday! I'm so happy you love my blog and these fantastic history posts. 💖 It is such a pleasure sharing the magical world of ballet with you. Now go forth, wear your tutus, embrace your inner ballerina, and don’t forget to check back for next week’s adventure!
*Until then, happy tutuing! 💖 *
Emma
(This blog was written in the UK, hence some UK English references and phrasing. If you want to modify further with any other requests, please let me know!)
