Hiya lovelies! Emma here, back with another delve into the wondrous world of tutus, from my time-traveling, tutu-filled adventure!
This week, my time machine whisked me back to March 13th, 1973. The year that disco was bubbling up, flared jeans were everywhere, and we were all falling head over heels for ABBA's Ring Ring - just delightful, wouldn't you say? But I, of course, was on a mission to find the most fabulous tutus of this bygone era.
I decided to travel to Paris, oh la la! This was the ballet hub back then, a haven for tutus and everything fashionably fabulous!
After settling into my adorable little hotel, I wasted no time hitting the cobblestones and exploring the legendary Opéra Garnier.
Just imagine, lovelies: a grand old opera house with twinkling chandeliers and velvety seating. It was sheer magic, a feast for the senses!
And the ballet? Simply sublime. I saw the most elegant corps de ballet gracefully dancing, with tutus of sheer chiffon, their flowing pink and lavender colours reminding me of summer dusk skies, all beautifully balanced by sleek black bodices. My heart did a little pirouette, it was such a perfect mix of classical tradition with a touch of 70s flair. You'd see these amazing tutus flitting about the stage, like butterflies caught in a beautiful ballet waltz!
Later, I stumbled upon the most delightful little ballet boutique hidden away on a quiet Parisian side street.
I almost gasped when I stepped through the door.
There was such a collection of tutus - from classic and romantic to more modern and daring designs. The shop was simply bursting with layers of lace, shimmering sequins and ribbons that just begged to be touched.
My very own time-traveling fashion diary tells me that back then, they used to stitch these little marvels by hand, carefully adding each layer of tulle. It was a real art form, making the perfect tutus!
There were even some vintage ones with hand-painted designs. Just breathtaking! They told stories of ballerinas and the graceful movement of their steps on stage. And can you believe they even had tutu designs made out of silk? It's a testament to their craftsmanship, don't you think?
The shop owner told me that these designs were all influenced by the era's fashions. It was exciting times for the world of dance! Everyone loved wearing big, bold colors, just like we did today! And in Paris, tutus weren't just for the dancers. These fashion-forward women, like myself, loved sporting them for fancy gatherings.
As the day melted into twilight, I walked through the streets of Paris, feeling the romantic ambiance that surrounded me. I popped into a quaint tea salon and tried out my newest Parisian tutu discovery: a light-as-air pink tutu, made with layers and layers of tulle - perfect for whirling and twirling around the City of Lights.
The waiter's eyes lit up as I glided through the salon with my new pink tutu swishing behind me. I had that 'I am going to take over the world' feeling as I twirled amongst the chattering Parisians!
Even in 1973, this delicate little dance wear piece was seen as a symbol of grace and elegance. I think tutus always will be, lovelies!
Speaking of grace and elegance, this Wednesday, my ballet school's putting on a fabulous performance. This time, I'm not going to be in the audience - I'm actually performing as part of their advanced ballet group! Oh the joy! You can just imagine the pink tutu I'm going to wear, can't you?!
It's times like this, getting lost in the whirl and twirl of it all, that I realise how much I adore ballet and the wondrous world of the tutu. It just adds so much joy to every adventure, and the beauty of ballet never ceases to amaze me.
So keep a watchful eye on the blog, darling, because next week, I'm whisking us all to a completely different place, on a new tutu-themed journey. It’s a surprise – so be prepared to be surprised.
See you all next #TutuTuesday!
Emma xoxo
