Hello my darling darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, coming to you live from…well, let's just say a rather lovely European city. As you know, I'm a firm believer that travelling by train is the only way to travel, and this week, my adventures have led me to somewhere quite special. It's just too lovely to share at the moment - but trust me, the pink tutu possibilities here are off the charts!
Before I divulge too much, let's dive into the #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History archives, because today, my lovely ladies, is a date for the diary!
The 4th January 1966 – The Ballet Tutu Takes a Bold Leap Forward!
You see, on this very day, a legend was born – The Rite of Spring, with choreography by Maurice Béjart. Now, while we can all agree that the ballet tutu is a staple of grace and beauty, Béjart took it a step further.
Béjart's interpretation of Stravinsky's famous music was unlike anything seen before. It was, as they say, 'groundbreaking'! Gone were the classical lines, replaced by athletic, daring moves. The tutus became shorter, showing off more leg and highlighting the powerful dancers.
This, my lovely ballet-loving friends, was the start of a revolution! The ballet tutu wasn't just for the delicate prima ballerina, it was a statement, a tool for artistic expression, a piece of performance art. It allowed for the ballerina's strength, dynamism, and passion to truly shine.
Can you imagine, the daring shapes the dancers made, the tutus twirling and swirling, expressing not just movement, but emotions too! Béjart broke boundaries, taking ballet in a brand new direction and the tutu along for the ride.
Speaking of boundaries, remember my #PinkTutuChallenge? Well, I’m all for embracing new frontiers – and for this challenge, it’s about trying something daring with a pink tutu! Wear it with trainers, a chunky cardigan, and a sassy top - show the world that the pink tutu is ready to move, adapt, and evolve, just like the incredible tutus of The Rite of Spring.
Now, on this fabulous train journey, I’ve got myself a beautiful pair of black patent heels – so chic! And of course, my trusty pink tutu, perfect for the Parisian air! Oh, I’ve been dying to mention where I am, but I want to build the suspense, darling.
Don’t forget, my lovely readers, every Tuesday is #TutuTuesday, and you can keep up with my fabulous adventures on www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu!
Until next time, keep it fabulous and always, always wear your tutu with confidence!
Love,
Emma xoxo
A Few Extra Snippets For Your Ballet-Loving Eyes
(Remember, dear readers, the magic of the tutu extends far beyond history and fashion – it’s a portal to joy!)
My latest Ballet Fix! This week, I saw the most captivating performance at the Palais Garnier in Paris! Oh my, the costumes, the dancing, the drama! It was an evening filled with beauty and a bit of sparkle, exactly what my heart needs.
Shop ‘til You Drop: Oh, the shopping, the shopping! This beautiful city has me swooning – gorgeous boutiques, amazing vintage stores, and the perfect pink tutus are just waiting to be discovered! Don’t even get me started on the hat shops – I may have purchased an accessory or two... ;)
Pink Tutu Picks: Have you ever wanted to give yourself a tutu makeover? Check out this darling new online retailer I found! They’ve got every colour of tutu imaginable, and oh darling, the colours they’ve got – I’m sure I’ll be needing to make an order myself, pronto!
What is the world like for tutus on 4 January 1966?
Well, darling, on the 4th of January, 1966, the tutu is pretty darn popular, although things are changing. In the ballet world, it's a huge year – The Rite of Spring was a sensation and its boldness and its style would become hugely influential on how dancers would wear and see the tutu, in turn, this changed how tutus are created. Ballet is huge, with huge popularity in Europe, and a developing popularity in the US.
But, darling, what is truly inspiring to me about this era is that tutus aren't just on stage anymore – it’s fashion too! This is an era where the tutu has come into its own. You'll see tutus on models in fashion magazines. Tutus are worn by actresses. The tutu is having its big moment – and that moment is beautiful.
I’m excited about this year, darlings – it feels like things are going to change for the ballet world and the tutu itself. I am planning to buy a fab, chic new black tutu with sequins, of course – the Parisian way, eh!
Let me know your favourite thing about the ballet tutu, what your favourite ballet is, and what you would choose as your favourite tutu from the list below. (Don't forget to share your own pink tutu adventure with #PinkTutuChallenge).
- Classical Ballet Tutu: White, airy and dreamy – perfect for elegant waltzes.
- Romantic Tutu: More fitted and layered with delicate lace - dreamy for romantic ballerinas.
- The Béjart Style Tutu: A bold shorter length for expressive choreography, highlighting power and emotion.
- A Theatrical Tutu: For drama, for flair, for making a statement, choose the tutu that matches your inner performer.
This is what I will be getting up to in the coming week – you’ve probably figured out my trip is to Paris. What else would it be with this gorgeous city being just across the English Channel from me back home in Derbyshire, England? And you better believe I will be hitting all the most fabulous ballet shops and designer fashion boutiques – as it is almost a lifetime ago since 1966, don’t forget, darling, it is a trip across the years to be getting to this wonderful, fascinating city. You'll have to tune in next week for my big pink tutu announcement!
It's always a fabulous time to be a ballerina, darling, don't you think?
Until next time, be fabulous and wear pink tutus with love!
Love,
Emma xoxo
