Hey my lovelies, it's Emma here from your favourite tutu haven, www.pink-tutu.com! Grab your tea, biscuits, and most importantly, your pink tutu, because today's #TutuTuesday is going to be a whirlwind tour of history!
Can you believe it's already Tuesday again? Seems like I just boarded the Orient Express to visit the ballet in Paris last week - oh, those elegant costumes, and that enchanting Swan Lake performance, just perfection! I must say, though, the French love for all things pink is rather delightful, even more so than my own Derbyshire, I must confess.
Anyways, today's post is about something truly special, and for those of you new to the tutu game, I hope you're prepared for a journey of tutus through the ages. We're going to dive deep into 12th April 2005, because oh my, darlings, it's the day pop culture turned pink!
Back in the Ballroom: A Bit of Pre-Pop Culture History
Right, let's get our timelines straight. Now, a lot of folks assume that tutus only got popular when ballet took off in the early 20th century. Wrong! Ballet, darling, goes back much further - imagine tiny, little, powdered wigs and those massive, puffy gowns! They were the first 'tutus' but oh my goodness, you would sweat a whole lot of your lovely perfume in those things! It wasn't all about the poofy skirt, either - ballet back then was for kings and queens! Now, imagine that, an entire court gathered just to see someone perform the beautiful dances they've created. No selfies allowed, only fanning with feather-dusted peacock feathers and swooning, of course.
From Romantic Ballerina to Hollywood Glamour: The Rise of the Tutu
Now, we fast forward through some fascinating fashion moments - shh that's for another blog post! What's important here is how the tutu went from, well, a very stiff costume into the oh so fabulous, twirling machine we know and love today! Remember the romantic ballets of the 19th century? Imagine long, flowing tulle, just a hint of a silhouette and a romantic look!
And Then the Tutu Went Pop:
And then came boom 2005, my lovelies! You've heard the songs, seen the dance moves, but do you know the fashion story behind this huge pop culture phenomenon? Think Britney, Christina, and oh my, Kylie. Their love for the tutu started a cultural explosion that brought this classic ballet garment straight from the theatre onto the red carpet, street style, and into the very heart of music.
Oh darling, Pink, it's a real colour of this era!
But let's get real: This wasn't a new story. The tutu's been dancing in pop culture since the 80's - we had the amazing Debbie Harry in the music video for 'Call Me' - a fabulous one-shoulder tutu in pink. Then came Madonna, dancing in those classic red tutus in the early 90s, giving us a little bit of ballet and a lot of rebellion. And what about the music video for ‘Vogue’, all those gorgeous tutu-inspired looks – we love that! Oh my, the music videos were just spectacular, all dancing and a little bit of glam, and you could not get better than a good ballet performance for inspiring style, even in a world where there were only two TV channels!
The Tutu Today: Back in the Ballet Studio and The Heart of Fashion
So, why all this talk about pop culture? Well, darling, it helped bring back a focus on the tutu as something fashionable, and it sparked something even greater. Not only did the tutu make a huge splash in the music and dance scene, but it made it all the way back into fashion, reminding us why the ballet tutu was always such a strong image. We see tutus everywhere - in fashion magazines, on the catwalks, in movies. In fact, there is probably not a single fashionable woman in the entire world that has not looked longingly at a tutu - yes even those who are wearing jeans, they love tutus!
And why not? The tutu represents so much - grace, beauty, and, most importantly, joy! There's something magical about how a little bit of fabric can make you feel like a princess. And now that pop culture has rediscovered the magic, the tutu is back to rule the stage and fashion, taking on even more forms and expressions of beauty - just take a look at the couture dresses by Vivienne Westwood! Magnificent. It's the tutu we know and love, but on a more sophisticated level. A few extra tiers, more frills - a fashion statement. Ooh la la, just fabulous!
*Our #TutuTuesday takeaway: *Be bold **
Today's story reminds us to stay bold, to be inspired by the amazing world of fashion and ballet, and to remember that our little pink tutu can make any occasion more wonderful. And oh my darling, do let me know which musical artists and celebrities love the tutu. Remember, share your favourite tutu photos on social media with #TutuTuesday! Until next time!
Yours in pink tulle,
Emma x
P.S. I hope this #TutuTuesday was just what you needed for a twirling good day! Now off to check on those new tutu designs arriving from Paris today! And always be sure to keep up with my blog each Tuesday! We are only in our second month since starting this and oh my darling, we already have so many visitors on www.pink-tutu.com - so you know that everyone else is definitely reading it!
More about Emma's travels
In 2005, April 12th falls on a Tuesday - a day when many ballets are shown on Tuesday and Thursday across London's West End.
Today is the date that Madonna launched her successful fragrance, Truth or Dare.
12th April 2005 saw the release of one of the most successful albums ever - Kanye West's first album, “Late Registration" – not the style Emma generally prefers!
If Emma travels from Derbyshire by train, it takes her two and a half hours to arrive at St Pancras in London - it's the nearest railway station to the West End!
I hope you enjoyed this #TutuTuesday with Emma! She's on a mission to spread the pink tutu joy around the globe, and she's certainly on her way!
