Greetings, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! 🩰💖 It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveler, back for another enchanting #TutuTuesday journey through ballet history!
As you know, every Tuesday I hop aboard my trusty, time-traveling steam engine and journey to a new era, all for the love of the tutu! This week, I found myself in the year 1999, a truly vibrant and glamorous time in ballet history. Let me whisk you away to the Parisian stage!
The air hums with excitement! We are at the Palais Garnier, the grandest, most magnificent opera house in all of Paris! It's just about to kick off the world premiere of a new ballet - La Mer by Maurice Béjart! Can you imagine the energy, the excitement! The audience are already standing to applaud as the lights come down and the dancers take their places in the most intricate and elegant tutus I've ever seen! Imagine my delight as the opening notes fill the air and these beautiful women take to the stage, flowing like silk in their pastel-hued tutus. Absolutely mesmerizing!
Now, we have to delve into a little fashion history, wouldn't you agree? As you all know, the tutus are so much more than just frills - they tell a story, a story of artistry and design that spans centuries. So, imagine my fascination to discover the evolution of this beautiful garment. Back in the early 1800s, ballerinas were barely twirling in knee-length skirts. You see, this little outfit wasn’t designed for flight! Think Maria Taglioni, the famous Italian ballerina, gracefully taking to the stage in the year 1832. She donned the first romantic tutu - the 'tutu romantique', a longer, romantic style. They are the first to feature a longer, flowy skirt, reaching just below the knee, which allowed for the first truly beautiful and ethereal ballets.
Now, if you imagine you're in the theatre, with the ballet dancing all around, the dramatic swirling tutus - well, you see, these delicate forms were so influential that in the years that followed, the Romantic tutu gave way to the now-iconic 'tutu classique' that you see today. And do you know, you wouldn't be wrong in imagining tutus with a darker colour pallet, black being extremely popular and prominent during this period, it represented both evil and dramatic power! You must know, even within these tutus, the dancers have found their power, a power of poise, grace, and, dare I say it, liberation!
This period around the 1800s was really the time that cemented tutus in the cultural and fashionable world, wouldn’t you agree? After that, it's been tutus galore! But just remember - tutus weren't just for the grand opera stage! I'm so grateful that even the street performances, the dancing that took to the public squares were so often decked out in our favourite frilly apparel! Can you imagine how stunning that must have looked!
So what else was happening on November 16th 1999? Well, that very same day the musical masterpiece ‘Notre Dame de Paris’ hit the Paris stage and captured hearts, making waves for this gorgeous rendition of the famed literary story, what a truly extraordinary day for ballet and musical theatre.
I have to say that a day filled with such inspiring dance moments feels truly magical! Even when I journey through the ages, it's that passion for movement, those beautiful stories told through graceful gestures, that continue to resonate and enchant! It’s why I travel all through time! To watch dancers as they express emotions through elegant movements! The emotions that are captured so exquisitely through every twirl, every grand jeté, every subtle sway! Oh, and speaking of tutus… I had a lovely visit to the famous Moulin Rouge on the Champs-Elysees and enjoyed the beauty of the showgirls' shimmering, flamboyant feathered costumes. They've even become more elaborate and detailed than ever.
After all, who can resist the captivating elegance and artistry of the tutu? I’m glad I got to step back in time for such a special evening!
Stay tuned, my dearest tutu lovers! Next Tuesday, we're venturing further back in time to 1955 - it's a year full of exciting developments in ballet and even more reason for you to wear a pink tutu - maybe you’ve got a party you're attending and are looking for that special little piece of costume that’s going to make you stand out? Who better to inspire your outfit than the ultimate tutu-lover? Remember, wear your pink tutus, explore your passion for ballet and dance, and never, ever let anyone tell you that wearing pink tutus isn’t cool - it is SO COOL!
Until then, happy twirling and remember, my dear friends - *the power of the pink tutu is limitless! *
XOXO Emma 💖🩰 www.pink-tutu.com
