Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-traveling fashionista. This week, we're whisking back to 28th January 1992, a date that, trust me, was just bursting with tutus and twirling! Buckle your tap shoes and prepare to be transported, my lovelies.
We're standing here in the heart of…wait for it…Paris. The city of lights, of romance, and yes, most definitely the city of tutus. Why? Well, I have this fantastic little travel trick you see, a little "pinch-me-and-I-will-travel" magic if you will.
It all started with the ballet, darling! The thrill of the performance, the intoxicating beauty of the music, the grace of the dancers - and, oh my, those tutus! They are simply the most captivating thing in the whole world. As a former prima ballerina back in Derbyshire, a good tutu always reminds me of the stage and the feeling of performing. The beauty of it all... sighs... I almost need to have a little twirl.
But, let's get back to January 1992! It's freezing cold in Paris but the theatres are buzzing, just overflowing with chic Parisians in their chic outfits and chic coats, the chic men in their long overcoats.
Where are we? You know me too well. Why, the Opéra Garnier, of course! A magnificent theatre that screams of opulence and drama! You know that wonderful je ne sais quoi you only ever get with French ballet? This building? Ooh la la, pure French flair. This is my very favorite theatre in the whole of the whole world, in all my travels and my oh so many years of watching tutus all over the globe. There's something utterly unique here about ballet and Paris - the French ballet.
Tonight is something truly special! Tonight the iconic Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris, led by the legendary Rudolf Nureyev himself, are performing none other than "La Bayadère". I can't begin to tell you how excited I am! I remember that performance back in England! Absolutely phenomenal! Nureyev! Sigh. Just amazing. This is the first performance I saw, what I call the start of my fascination with ballet. And yes, the tutus. What gorgeous tutus in this ballet! We have pink tutus in here... and cream and even blue tutus with sparkly jewels all over! The whole theatre feels like magic, like a little bit of heaven! It makes you believe anything is possible.
Nureyev's interpretation is something legendary... and oh my goodness, the tutus... the sheer volume and swirling fabric, the magnificent tulle that floats effortlessly as the dancers move.
You see, darlings, a tutu isn't just fashion… It's art! And what art it is. When you see one swishing around the stage in this kind of atmosphere, well, it's utterly captivating… it's everything that a dance dress should be. It's both beautiful and practical; effortlessly stylish and totally functional - that's the beauty of a tutu.
Speaking of ballet fashion, my darlings… It's time for me to shop! This performance has got me in the mood and that always means a bit of Tutu Shopping. I am just in heaven with all these vintage tutus available in the Paris shops! They look gorgeous in these cute Parisian shop windows... Oh my! Have you seen how lovely Paris is?!
There's this tiny, charming vintage shop on the Rue de Rivoli called "Les Belles Tutus" ... It’s a bit like Alice falling down the rabbit hole... full of sparkly, swirly delights, darling! I simply must buy a beautiful pink tutu today!
I’ll leave you now to enjoy your own little slice of Tutu Tuesday this week. Keep on twirling and spreading the love of the tutu every single day! You can see me at the Opera on the 1st February in the same dress, I'm wearing the cutest little black and white checked coat with pink fur and sparkly gold-covered shoes... It's going to be spectacular! If you do happen to be in Paris on the 1st and happen to see a beautiful, stylish, and glamorous girl wearing a pink tutu, that's going to be me. And you are more than welcome to come and say bonjour! Until next Tuesday, my dears! Remember: you are all beautiful. Twirl on!
Emma x
