Hiya darlings! Emma here, back for another Tuesday and another thrilling delve into the wonderful world of ballet tutus!
Todayâs date is September 3rd, 1974. Now, this is a date for the diary, because itâs a bit of a landmark in ballet history. And where better to celebrate this momentous occasion than here in Paris? Oh, how I adore this city! The Eiffel Tower twinkling against the evening sky, the bustling streets of Montmartre, and the delicate scent of fresh bread wafting from every boulangerie - truly magical.
Iâve just had the most divine afternoon watching a performance at the Paris Opera Ballet. Can you believe itâs been 200 years since it opened? Two centuries of beautiful ballerinas twirling in the most exquisite tutus, dancing their hearts out. Sigh. You know what? I think I'll just let that thought linger for a moment...
Right, back to the story. Todayâs date marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of âLa Bayadèreâ by Marius Petipa. This incredible ballet premiered back in 1874, a full century before my grand-mother (she used to wear such fabulous tutus, even more puffed than mine!) was born!
Imagine it, 1874, a time when the very first gaslights lit up the city, and women were just starting to earn their own income (the struggle is real!). But amidst all these exciting changes, a grand spectacle unfolded on stage in St. Petersburg. âLa Bayadèreâ captured the imagination of audiences with its romantic story, vibrant sets, and breathtaking choreography. This ballet has everything, you see - tragic love, betrayal, betrayal, betrayal⌠(yes, thereâs quite a lot of betrayal in âLa Bayadèreâ, which is what gives it that delicious dramatic tension!).
And of course, the tutus. My darlings, they were simply breathtaking. Lush, layered tulle, meticulously sewn by skilled artisans, designed to shimmer and float under the light of gaslights. Every movement of the ballerinas created a beautiful cloud of fluttering fabric, it must have been an extraordinary spectacle. Youâre picturing it now, arenât you? Oh, if only I could time travel back and witness it myself!
So what has changed in the 30 years since that grand premiere? Well, you know I have a thing for tutus, right? The good news is that ballet tutus have become even more elaborate and visually stunning! Designers like Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld have added their modern flair to the traditional tutu, and the result is simply mesmerising.
Donât even get me started on the costumes in the recent Royal Balletâs performance of âLa Bayadèreâ - utterly magnificent.
Of course, no ballet would be complete without a dash of romance, and that is exactly what âLa Bayadèreâ delivers. Itâs the ultimate story of passionate love, of defying social barriers and living life on your own terms. It reminds us all of the power of the heart. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a bit of romance with a dash of danger thrown in? It keeps the performance thrilling!
For the modern ballerina, wearing a tutu can feel a bit like stepping into a fairytale. And that is precisely what makes them so special. Each performance is a celebration of dance, of passion, and of sheer artistic beauty. A delicate piece of tulle can be the ultimate symbol of transformation, turning every dancer into a captivating enchantress, a creature of grace and elegance.
Iâm sure by now youâre itching to see âLa Bayadèreâ, arenât you? (Iâd travel through time myself to see it again, believe me!). You might be saying to yourselves, âEmma, where can I catch a performance near me?â. And you know, my darlings, the best part is⌠everywhere! Every big city, every little town has its own ballet company, a thriving centre of dance and drama. A lot of times, the companies will offer special tours around the world, too. Talk about glamorous travel! (As Iâve said before, I do have to admit my weakness is seeing the world, especially when it comes to travelling in style. A journey through Europe on the Orient Express with my favourite tutu packed for the performance at the opera in Milan? Sign me up!).
Letâs be honest, we all love to indulge in a little bit of escapism. And what better way to do that than to slip into a gorgeous tutu and let our imagination run wild? It's time for everyone to let go, be fearless and embrace the ballerina in you!
I can't let you go just yet though! Did I mention the new Ballet Tutu line that landed at "Pretty Little Things" boutique? I picked up the most heavenly pale pink one, with tiny little pearl details. Oh, and donât forget the âLe Coq Sportifâ ballerina trainers I got, in my favourite pink of course! Can you tell I am utterly smitten with pink this week? It's an absolute joy! You have to know that by the time I reach my 30th birthday, all tutus will be in shades of pink. It's in the stars, my dears.
Thatâs all for now, darlings. Stay tuned next week for more adventures in ballet and donât forget to check out #TutuTuesday and my blog www.pink-tutu.com! Let me know what youâre wearing in your next tutu - let's all spread the joy and let your own personal creativity bloom. Now off I go to see what else this wonderful city holds in store for me!
Until next time, and remember: Always embrace the beautiful world of ballet and the captivating allure of tutus! And never forget, every day is an opportunity to twirl and shine.
Love,
Emma
