Welcome back, my lovely Tutu-ites! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and I'm thrilled to be back for another #TutuTuesday. Today, we're going on a little time travel adventure, back to the year 2001, specifically the 27th of February. Get ready for some fashion fun, some history of our beloved tutu, and a bit of reminiscing about a time when things wereā¦well, a little bit different.
Now, you'll probably find this a little hard to believe, but way back then, wearing a tutu in everyday life wasn't quite as acceptable as it is now! Don't get me wrong, people still loved ballet, and ballerinas still graced the stage in those magical creations, but wearing a tutu to the local coffee shop or popping out for a pint at the pub ā it just wasn't done! How incredibly sad, don't you think?
My Fashion Journey: Through the Time Warp!
This week, I've travelled back to Paris ā oh, the fashion! The atmosphere! It's a little like stepping into a time capsule of Parisian chic. š«š·
You'll be surprised to know, the Ballet de l'OpĆ©ra National de Paris was having its opening night this week, showcasing āA Midsummer Nightās Dreamā. How delightful to be part of the excitement ā though my pink tutu felt a bit out of place among the stylish evening gowns and suits. Imagine ā they looked at my tulle as if it was straight from the set! Perhaps a tad less Ć la mode then than now. Sigh. I must admit, though, my vibrant pink tutu did spark some conversations with the elegant ladies.
Anyway, it just goes to show how fashion can evolve. Back in 2001, even the trendiest of trendsetters probably didn't think about strutting around in their favourite tutus. It's good to see things changing! Who would have guessed that tutulisation, as I call it, would take the world by storm? Itās just one small example of how our love of the past can shape our future, don't you think? It's our own little way of ābringing back the pretty!ā
Tutu History: Digging Deeper!
Let's go back in time to 1832! Can you believe it, tutu enthusiasts? That's when our beautiful ballerina favourite first appeared in public. Before then, dancers wore much more cumbersome attire! Think tight-fitting gowns, floor-length skirts, and those rather elaborate hats. Imagine having to perform in those heavy creations! Our bodies were a lot less free.
Luckily, Maria Taglioni decided enough was enough, and voila! The first tutu graced the stage at the Paris Opera. Can you imagine the gasp of the audience! This revolutionary new style freed the body, highlighted the movements of the dancer, and, well, it looked oh-so-much more delicate and ethereal. This simple, short and romantic design truly marked the beginning of our own journey. And from there, it continued to evolve! Today we see tutus in various styles, lengths, and even colourways. Some even dazzle with glitter and sequins.
You can imagine me, obsessed as always with all things tutu, diving right into this piece of ballet history. In the Parisian library ā you know I love those, tucked away in a little corner of that incredible city ā I uncovered some wonderful, vintage photos and designs of those very early tutus. I am going to post them on the Pink-Tutu website later today. Oh, I just canāt wait for you to see them!
A Little Twist of Pink
You know, here's something really interesting ā pink didn't become a truly popular colour for tutus until the late 20th century. I know, I know, hard to imagine our world without it, but it's true! Before then, tutus tended to be shades of white, pale ivory, or a deeper, more dramatic black. Pink was seen as too āsweetā for the seriousness of ballet! Well, they certainly underestimated our ability to be both elegant and bold! It's like saying a little girl shouldnāt wear a red tutu - what nonsense! You know I love to rebel against the rules! That's why I love wearing a pink tutu everywhere. It's my personal little act of rebellion! It makes me happy, it gives me a sense of self-expression, and it just seems to brighten the day for everyone around me!
Sharing the Tutu Love
Do you remember back in the early 2000s, when ballet classes were all the rage? You couldnāt go out without seeing a cute ballet bag or even spotting ballet shoes peeping out of someoneās gym bag. So many girls dreamt of becoming ballerinas! And there I was, front row, at the Royal Opera House, taking notes on the exquisite costumes and tutus! Iāll always love the Royal Opera House. There is an aura in that building that gets me every time! And I can just hear the strains of a favourite Tchaikovsky score and the elegant footfalls in the perfect timing that the ballerina has. Ahhhā¦. Even better is taking to the stage myself for my performance. The crowd, the applause, the flowers ā that feeling of magic never gets old. As they say, āthere is no greater magic than the magic of theatreā. You know, thatās how I fund my time travelling - a performance here, a ballet there. The world is my stage!
But you know what, my favourite part of it all is? Itās watching people wear tutus and seeing the pure joy and empowerment on their faces. Tutu Tuesday has grown so much ā I mean, you could hardly walk down the street last week without seeing someone in a tutu! From ballet street dance performances to local theatres across the UK, itās truly wonderful to see how many have embraced our motto - āYou too can be a Tutuiteā. I'm even starting to get requests to go to the Derby! Imagine that - The Derby! Such an iconic British event. I must admit I'd love to wear a pink tutu at that ā perhaps a special custom one with tiny little horses on the tulle. Hmmā¦
It really is quite extraordinary, what can happen when people put their heart and soul into a shared passion. From the elegant stages of the Paris Opera House to your very own backyard ā we all can find a reason to embrace a little bit of ballet magic! Tutus arenāt just for dancers; they're a way of life, a celebration of self-expression and joy. Donāt be shy to put one on and let it be your way of saying, āIām here, and Iām happy!ā
So there you have it, another week of #TutuTuesday! Make sure to follow us on the Pink-Tutu website! Next week I'm heading back to another time period to uncover another delightful piece of tutu history! In the meantime, be brave, be bold, and rememberā¦ always be you. But in a pink tutu, of course! š
Yours in tulle and sunshine,
Emma
P.S. Do let me know what you would like to see on a future #TutuTuesday! Send me a message on Pink-Tutu.com, or leave a comment in the blog!
