Greetings from Paris, my dears! Iām writing to you today from the City of Lights, surrounded by the scent of pastries and the rhythmic tap of feet on cobblestones. Oh, and don't forget the divine cacophony of chatter in various tongues and the joyful strains of a street accordion playing the 'Can-Can!'
Yes, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, Iām on another whirlwind tour! This time I'm on a mission to discover more fascinating tutu history ā because, well, what's life without a little tutufied education, eh? And today's date, January 7th, 1986 is brimming with sartorial secrets.
It's Tutu Tuesday, darlings, and today Iām sharing a special peek into the evolution of the most enchanting of dance garments. Grab your favourite cuppa and your best fluffy pink cardigan - youāre going to want to settle in for this one.
The year 1986: The Decade of Tutu Drama! Oh, 1986! That year was simply epic for ballet! Think puffy sleeves, bold makeup, and all those daring tutus! It was like the fashion world itself had twirled right onto the stage. Imagine, my darlings, tutus taking inspiration from theatrical drama rather than just ballet. It was a groundbreaking era! And it wouldn't have happened without a few key developments I'm going to share with you today.
First, a tiny confession: this date just happens to fall smack-bang in the middle of the worldās most exquisite ballet performance of the year, happening right here in Paris. The Paris Opera Balletās grand gala, a performance packed full of star dancers, shimmering gowns, and tutus to die for! * And of course, * I wouldn't miss it! The air crackles with excitement here - the buzz you get before a phenomenal ballet performance, that thrill in your toes when you know the magicās about to start! (Do you feel it, too?)
But let's rewind just a moment. Because the real beauty of tutu history is how it happened, not just where it is right now.
So, picture it: Paris in the 1980s. A city bubbling with artistic energy. New choreographers were experimenting, pushing the boundaries, and, of course, creating new styles that would become synonymous with the era. The dance world embraced these innovative moves - and you can bet your best ballerina bun on it that the tutus had to follow!
One such trailblazer was the phenomenal Rudolf Nureyev, an artist with a vision. (How lucky we are he wasn't afraid to shake things up a bit, eh?) Nureyevās daring choreographies weren't just revolutionary, they were audacious, taking tutu design with him! He used dramatic colour palettes, intricate patterns, and unexpected lengths ā oh, the thrill of the unexpected! - a trend that took the tutu world by storm.
Think about it: Gone were the traditional ballet staples. The pure white, the fluffy classical silhouette ā they were making space for the unconventional! And these twists weren't confined to Paris, either. Weāre talking New York, London, everywhere! It's this kind of creative energy that gets my heart pumping, and Tutu Tuesday is all about embracing it.
Oh, darling, here we go! I am bursting with a vision of those Parisian stage lights glittering down on a performance so enchanting, itāll make your heart skip a beat. Remember the name, Nureyev - and that date 1986 will always stand for daringly different design. I can feel my pulse quickening just imagining the tutusā¦ so much fun!
You'll want to look at these tutus ā so don't forget to do your research after this. I always say, āEvery week is tutu history!ā
It is vital for us all to take inspiration from this moment in tutu time, darlings. So, let's embrace the spirit of change, let's embrace colour, and most importantly ā letās embrace tutus, my loves!
The best thing about history is that you never know what youāll uncover next, and I cannot wait to see what Tuesday brings. Remember, you can follow my weekly journey on pink-tutu.com. That's pink-tutu.com! Let's stay tutu-licious!
Oh! And remember, don't be afraid to express your unique style. You, my dear, are an inspiration in yourself, a tutu masterpiece ready to be created! Tutu love,
Emma.
P.S. I've been on a shopping spree! I cannot tell you how exciting it was! So many pretty stores, all packed full of exciting dresses and, of course, tutus. Did I tell you I picked up an adorable blush pink silk tutu, a tiny thing to add to my collection, it's positively dreamy, I will show you soon. And, guess what! Iāve found the most darling new boutique. I simply had to visit it - full of amazing outfits, jewellery - oh my! They even had these adorable hair clips, the most stylish ballet-inspired accessories you've ever seen!
* P.P.S. Youāve got to believe me, it's all about the details, and I've got the latest ballet trend scoop from Paris! Those fabulous little pearl necklaces - the sort that look just like *pearls! I snapped them all up - oh, what a fantastic buy they will be!**
P.P.P.S. Did you see what I found at that little Paris bakery this morning? It's a delicate, meringue based tart! ( pause for dramatic emphasis) ā¦* *Pink, my dear, *pink!!! *And it's called *rose meringues. So chic, donāt you think? And it tasted just as heavenly. Oh! What is life without these delicious Parisian indulgences? A *total tragedy for sure, donāt you think?*
