Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, here! 👋
Today's #TutuTuesday takes us back to 3rd April, 1990. It's a day steeped in the romance and glamour of ballet, a time when the world was buzzing with the beauty of dance. And wouldn't you know it, it's a Tuesday, making this an absolutely perfect day for a blast from the past on my Pink-Tutu blog! 😉
I landed myself right in the heart of Paris - the city of love, fashion, and, you guessed it, ballet! The air crackled with the thrill of a new season at the Paris Opera Ballet, a company so prestigious, its dancers are practically royalty! ✨
Now, you all know I'm a sucker for a bit of history, so I decided to visit the Musée Carnavalet. It’s an amazing place that celebrates the city’s history through a collection of stunning objects and paintings. While the exhibits focused on various aspects of Paris's past, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the display of theatrical costumes from the Belle Époque era! 🎭
Imagine it, my darlings! Silky, flowing gowns, dramatic feather headdresses, and the most gorgeous tutus! Talk about an inspiration! There were all shapes and sizes – puffy, frilly, with elegant swoops of fabric and stunning decorations – it truly blew my mind! And it’s thanks to that era, ladies, that our iconic tutu as we know it, got its start. 💖 It was in 1894, with Marius Petipa's ballet 'The Sleeping Beauty', that the classic, symmetrical, knee-length tutu became synonymous with the world of ballet. 🩰
Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Parisian fashion back in 1990! 👗👠 Think bright colours, bold prints, and sleek, stylish outfits! Parisian women knew how to dress to impress! From chic blouses to pencil skirts, everything was effortlessly elegant – just like a perfectly placed pirouette. 😉
Speaking of stylish, I must share a little story with you…
Earlier that day, I decided to go on a little shopping spree in Galeries Lafayette – one of the most gorgeous department stores you could ever imagine! Think sprawling, glass-domed ceilings, decadent chandeliers, and aisles upon aisles of clothes and beauty products! Heaven for any fashionista like me! 😍
After indulging in the divine scents at Guerlain and treating myself to some fancy French pastry, I finally landed at the couture floor! Now, that's where you find those one-of-a-kind pieces that make your heart sing! 🤩
There I was, browsing through racks upon racks of designer dresses and suits, when a little voice interrupted my thoughts, "Do you like tutus?" It was a young girl with bright, curious eyes and a mischievous grin. 👧🏼 "I’m a ballerina," she continued. “My mom says they're inspired by real-life ballerinas!”
I’d found a fellow tutu lover, and, with my own tutu twirling beneath my frock coat, I launched into a whole spiel about ballet history. That little girl’s face lit up! You’d have thought she’d just met the Sugar Plum Fairy herself!
I'm a firm believer in spreading the joy of ballet! 🥰 So I told her about the famous Paris Opera Ballet that performed that night, gave her my autograph, and told her she needed to have a pink tutu. We chatted away until her mother came searching for her – with a smile, the mum joined us to chat ballet history for a while. 🤩
As a gift, I made the little girl a special little tutu from some extra fabric I had tucked away in my bag. 🎁 I love leaving a little piece of ballet magic in each place I visit! And seeing her delighted face reminded me exactly why I travel through time – to inspire, share, and create. 💖
My darlings, the Paris Opera Ballet that night, was just magical! 🪄 The dancers moved with such grace and power; their tutus flowing like a whisper – it really was like watching a dream come true! 💖
That evening, I wandered back through the enchanting streets of Paris, a feeling of deep joy settled upon me. My little ballerina, the grand history of dance, and my pink tutu – the perfect blend of Parisian flair and tutu love. It's these moments, dear readers, that remind me of the magic we all have within us, and the importance of embracing our passions and chasing our dreams!
So, I say to you – dare to dream big, chase your passions, and remember, every day is a good day for a pink tutu! 💗
Catch you next week with more #TutuTuesday adventures! 👋
Love,
Emma x
P.S. – For more ballet history, visit your local library, museum, or dance school! 🏛️🩰 There’s a whole world of magic waiting for you. 😉
