Hello dearies! It's Emma here, back for another fabulously pink #TutuTuesday and our time traveling jaunt through the history of the beloved tutu.
It's June 15th, 1993, and guess where I've found myself today? Why, Paris, of course! You wouldn't catch me travelling anywhere else when talking tutus, would you? I'm at the Palais Garnier, the Opera House of all Opera Houses. It's absolutely dripping with history and just brimming with that classic Parisian elegance. Imagine me, in my stunning, hot pink tutu, amongst the grandeur of it all!
Speaking of my pink tutu, darling, how lovely it is today! We have got to celebrate a colour so divine. Why, just look around the Palais Garnier; it's full of exquisite detail, all sorts of grand colour, from crimson reds and rich golds, to soft creams and luxurious browns. And there, right in the centre of all that opulent splendour, is my divine hot pink. Pink's like the icing on the cake - a beautiful, flamboyant touch of fun and whimsy in a world of refined grace. You can be elegant and daring all at the same time!
Right then, let's talk about today's historic moment:
June 15th, 1993: The day Giselle was on stage at the Paris Opera Ballet!
Can you believe it?! A classic ballet, a ballet that helped solidify the image of the ballerina's skirt and made it the quintessential costume it is today. Giselle premiered in 1841 and it's been charming audiences ever since, just like the ever-stylish pas de deux. That's right, dear readers, it's those iconic romantic and elegant dances in ballet that you adore! It’s all down to this enchanting ballet, folks!
What does this tell us about tutus?
- They’re timeless. From the late 1800s to 1993 and onwards, the tutu is a constant. We just love its graceful lines and delicate air. It embodies beauty and romance, and lets those lovely, graceful leg lines shine!
- It's about telling a story: The ballet Giselle itself is filled with beautiful moments, but its costume, its tutu, is a story of itself! The length and flow of the skirt is key, expressing everything from delicate innocence to despairing loss and strength. The choreography is even tailored around this enchanting piece of dancewear. How fantastic!
- The perfect choice for Paris: This stunning city loves its ballet, and what's more elegant than a ballerina dancing in a graceful, floating tutu on the hallowed stage of the Palais Garnier? I bet that Giselle was enchanting for all.
I spent the whole day touring the building. Just seeing the elegant stairs and stunning architecture was a total dream! Then, I sat down for the show, soaking in every exquisite movement. All those intricate steps! I love how the costumes perfectly reflect each emotion – you'd have to see it to understand! And oh, I loved the feeling of it all – the incredible stories and beautiful costumes!
Now, where does our darling tutu story go next, you may ask? Well, the 1990s were a time of wonderful creativity for tutus, as the modern ballet world experimented with colour and new designs, using more daring shapes, patterns and textures. We can thank those incredibly imaginative and talented designers for what we wear today!
Do you remember watching dancers like the magnificent Sylvie Guillem? Those stunning leaps, the beautiful artistry! She was a big hit and popular figure throughout the 90s! It was a real era for creativity!
That brings us to our next stop, dearest! Next week, we are headed to New York, that vibrant, dazzling metropolis, and the American Ballet Theatre for some truly incredible tutu experiences, you just wait and see!
Until then, stay twirling and, of course, keep rocking those pink tutus! They look gorgeous on everyone.
Oh, and let me know in the comments where you'd like to travel with me next! I'm off to get my very best pink tutu, the one with the sequined ribbon! And perhaps buy another one – they just go with everything, you know!
Yours in tutus,
Emma xoxo
P.S. Don’t forget to share your tutu pictures with me on my Instagram @emmapinktutu! I'm dying to see them!
