Hiya, tutu lovers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, where we're always celebrating the glorious, swirling, pink world of tutus!
Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a time-traveling adventure to 6th September, 2005. It was a sunny Tuesday, perfect for twirling, and I found myself in the heart of Paris - the city of romance and fashion, a haven for tutus! Oh, and have I told you lately how much I love trains? The Eurostar zipped me right into the centre of the action, like a graceful leap across continents.
So, what happened on this momentous date? Well, in the world of ballet, the Royal Ballet was getting ready to grace the stage of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden with a performance of "The Sleeping Beauty". Can you imagine, tutus spinning, sparkly shoes tapping, and magical stories coming alive under the dazzling chandelier? That's a Tuesday night I wouldn't have missed for the world! I even managed to squeeze in some delightful Parisian shopping in between my ballet-related duties, finding some adorable ballet-inspired trinkets and a beautiful pale pink tulle scarf. Swoon.
Speaking of the "The Sleeping Beauty" ... Did you know it was this ballet that introduced the world to the full-length romantic tutu? It debuted in 1890, designed by Marius Petipa and Nikolai Sergeyev, featuring tiers upon tiers of delicate, soft tulle, so graceful and airy it's like a cloud. That tutu, my friends, revolutionized ballet and gave it the feminine elegance that we all adore!
Back in 2005, ballet was already bursting with iconic styles. Take a look at this stunning photo of Diana Vishneva, a dazzling ballerina, in the famous “Sleeping Beauty” tutu. This style is the quintessential Romantic era ballet look - big, voluminous, romantic, a swirl of perfectly chosen layers of tulle - just magical!
This era was a real treat for the eyes - the tutus were so captivating and a real step forward from the earlier ballet designs of the 18th and 19th centuries, which were often a lot shorter, stiff, and more utilitarian. Can you imagine a world of tight, restrictive costumes instead of a graceful dance in an airy cloud of tulle? The horror!
This romantic ballet style inspired by the tutu had a lasting influence. We see elements of it today in so many different tutus from all styles of dance – from the swirling classical elegance of the Bolshoi Ballet to the captivating athleticism of a modern contemporary tutu.
Speaking of the modern dance world - tutus still reign supreme! Sure, they’ve evolved - we have sleek, modern styles like contemporary tutus with layers that drape and move fluidly. But there's no denying, they all stem from those first glorious, voluminous romantic tutus of the past.
What can I say, ladies and gentlemen? The magic of tutus never fades!
On our next #TutuTuesday, we're stepping back into the history books again to uncover another amazing moment in the world of tutu history. Until then, keep twirling and remember: every day is Tutu Day in my heart! And don’t forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for some more tutu inspiration, and to tell us all about your favourite tutus and why you love them. Until next Tuesday, remember to embrace the power of a pink tutu. It can change your world!
Much Love,
Emma (In her fabulous pink tutu)
