Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Tuesday, and you know what that means… #TutuTuesday!
Today I’m bringing you right back to 1991, with a trip to Paris! The City of Lights and a dream for any tutu-wearing lady, especially when it comes to ballet. This month, on April 23rd, the Paris Opera Ballet were in rehearsals for the legendary Giselle!
That’s right – those romantic swishing tutus, the heartbreaking tale, and all those incredible arabesques you see in ballet lessons are a part of history. And it's all thanks to this incredible masterpiece!
My latest adventures in time-hopping had me catching the last train to Paris and making a beeline for the Opera House. I felt like I’d stepped out of a time machine into the middle of a historical movie! You know I just had to find the perfect pink dress for the occasion. I mean, when in Paris, you have to wear something special! I picked out this amazing pink frock from a tiny boutique with ruffles and sparkles – absolutely perfect for taking in a ballet rehearsal!
Watching the Paris Opera Ballet, it’s clear that ballet, like the tutu, is a timeless dance. And, my fellow tutu lovers, who knew that on this very day in 1991, one of the most talented ballerinas was prepping to perform her iconic role in Giselle? It's no wonder she became a legend. The power and elegance of her performance, the expression of the story through the way she held her tutu and the movement, and the utter grace of it all… well, it was magical.
And speaking of elegance, oh, the tutus! Paris is such a fashion forward city and it certainly shows with their ballerinas. They weren’t just using the classic tutu - they had so many unique styles - they had romantic tulle tutus that swept around them, and crisp, sharp, modern designs made of lightweight fabrics that moved beautifully under the lights. You just can’t find these kinds of unique designs anywhere else.
You know I can’t resist getting my hands on something special in Paris! While there, I discovered this beautiful boutique on Rue Saint-Honoré with all sorts of unique, handmade tutus for all the dance enthusiasts! Some of the ladies have really let their imaginations run wild with designs in gorgeous bright colours! The tutus have been redesigned in amazing new colours. Think emerald green, coral, vibrant yellows – it's just delightful to see! And they weren't afraid to add a touch of glitz! We all love a little shimmer, don’t we?
I was amazed to see how people of all ages loved dancing - ballet wasn’t just for girls! There were children wearing little tutus and young boys dancing with the girls! They'd laugh and run around in their costumes! It reminded me of the time when I used to wear my pink tutu all the time, even to play! Oh, the joy! And that’s what ballet, and a good tutu, are really all about - the love for movement and dance.
Speaking of dancing, I even spotted a street ballet troupe outside the opera! They performed to beautiful traditional music, with everyone holding flowers to hand out to the audience. I've always said, who needs to wait for the theatre for ballet? It was fabulous to see everyone sharing the love for dancing - such great inspiration! Even those of us who can't dance have to admit how charming and sweet these impromptu performances are!
You know me – I always love to make connections and talk about our shared love for ballet! It was so delightful chatting to some lovely dancers outside the Opera house, finding out how much they loved what they were doing. It reminded me of how much I enjoy getting to know all of you! Every story about our collective love of tutus, from around the world, and all different times, just keeps making #TutuTuesday all the more special!
But you know, it isn’t all just about tutus and performances! My dear fashion-forward friends, I have to share a little fashion inspiration with you - my top tips for this week.
Firstly, don't underestimate the power of a bright pink tutu! Just like the Paris Opera dancers, there’s a classic reason it's used so much - it really shines on the stage! And that’s why I can’t help but be drawn to this color – pink just pops on the dance floor! The best thing about tutus is how versatile they are! I saw many of them in my little trip around Paris being paired with casual outfits like jeans or even trousers – just throw on a denim jacket, a bright colored scarf, and a sparkly pink tutu and you’re all ready for an exciting ballet class or performance. Or go for a pink shirt tucked in with your tutu for a cute outfit that's ready for some serious pirouette action!
This week’s must-have for a tutu enthusiast? A glittery pair of ballet flats! You just have to have a cute little pink ballet flat - the perfect finishing touch to your tutu ensemble. They are both adorable and incredibly practical.
There’s nothing quite like catching a live ballet performance, you really get a feel for the artistry, especially with the tutus - it’s all so beautiful!
That’s it from me this week! Don’t forget to grab your favourite tutu, dress in pink, put on your dancing shoes, and go dance around! I love seeing you rocking your tutus – share them with me on our Pink-Tutu Instagram!
See you next week for another #TutuTuesday!
Until then, dance on my dears!
Emma.
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