Hello darlings! Welcome to this week's #TutuTuesday, where we're going on a time-traveling journey through the wonderful world of ballet tutus! And oh my, this week is extra exciting - because it's Paris! Paris is such an inspiring place. It is a city brimming with style, elegance and history!
Oh and speaking of style...look at this beautiful, baby pink, frothy and full tutu. It's my dream tutu, found in an adorable boutique here in Paris and just had to have it, even though I already own an enormous amount of pink tutus!
So settle in my darlings! Grab yourselves a pot of Earl Grey (I have just acquired the most exquisite china teapot at the Les Halles Market this morning, simply divine!)
Tutus and the 1950s
Let’s take a little time machine ride back to July 16th, 1957. Oh, how glamorous and stylish everyone is!
Think... Audrey Hepburn, crisp cotton frocks, poodle skirts, * Jackie Kennedy in her impeccable A-line coats. This was a wonderful period for fashion, I have to say. You simply can't go wrong with a stylish and chic skirt. And *it's an especially fantastic time for tutus. Tutus were already on the upswing! There's a renewed fascination with classic romantic ballet styles and it's showing up on stage and on the street. Tutu's in the 1950s are *beautifully layered with yards upon yards of tulle. Think *The Sleeping Beauty. ** Such fairytale charm!
We're at the beginning of a glorious dance era and I feel like my favourite ballerina Margot Fonteyn could have twirled through this day! I must find a show to see, as we shall shortly see that Paris is a most vibrant centre for all things dance. I've always thought about taking lessons at the Opéra Garnier...
But what makes this date special?
As I travel back in time I'm like an enthusiastic little squirrel collecting nuts, always collecting exciting details to tell you about...and it so happens that on this day a beautiful little ballet theatre opened here in Paris - called Le Petit Théâtre de la danse, right near Le Marais and the Marais District is such a lovely place with its cobblestone streets, charming cafe's and antique boutiques!
What’s that you say? I can't travel in time, you say, of course darling, I'm *imagining all of this! But you have to allow yourself to dream otherwise you are only half living darling!
* Ballet, Couture, Fashion, Travel, and more*
Paris is like a whirlwind of enchantment. Imagine yourself in the audience at Palais Garnier (the stunning Paris Opéra House that’s like a grand marble and gilded palace in itself!) Now picture the iconic Russian Ballets * They were legendary during this period and brought incredible artistic expression and incredible dramatic costumes!** Those costumes, of course, often included gorgeous tutus. What else is happening?
Here are a few snippets about Paris that may intrigue you darlings :
* Paris in the 1950s saw fashion house Dior* (Dior has the best colours in my opinion-especially pink, obviously), creating its *"New Look" with cinched waists, full skirts, that, like all fashion, influenced how clothes for everyone were styled.
* Ballet shows at *Le Châtelet and the Opéra-Comique. This is the height of the Ballet's golden age (it just doesn't get any better, ever if you ask me). The ballet was such a big thing it was everywhere! * Paris is *at the very heart of the ballet world, in 1957
Paris... oh how I love it! The sights, the smells of delicious bakery goods...the romance!
Travelling to Paris by train...in pink, of course
It's been a most enchanting train journey - my compartment is lovely with damask upholstery and little floral-trimmed cushions!* I had time to relax in my travel-worthy pink tutu...I even brought a spare! ( I've been learning the steps of the iconic pas de deux from Giselle-it's so graceful and inspiring!) Giselle is such a romantic and slightly haunting ballet...a classic! Of course, *no good ballerina ever goes anywhere without at least two pink tutus ** ( just in case one of the tulle ruffles gets caught in a wheel! - one should always be prepared!)
Looking Forward: Pink Tutus and Tutu Inspirations
And, *I want to end this *TutuTuesday by encouraging everyone to wear a pink tutu! That is my lifelong mission. Tutus don't discriminate against ages. A tutu makes everyone feel *joyful and whimsical. *
You can twirl to your heart’s content, darling! Pink tutu's bring everyone * together.* * If you love pink and you love ballet... * I would love to see your pink tutu's in the comments! * I believe you will all love my Ballet Tutu History blog too!
Next Tuesday, we're back to exploring the fantastic and sparkly history of ballet tutus...because a ballet tutu is not only for the stage, darlings it’s for life.
*See you all then and remember *...it's #TutuTuesday!
Emma,
Founder, The Pink Tutu blog
www.pink-tutu.com
