Greetings my darling tutu-loving lovelies! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back for another dazzling #TutuTuesday dive into the enchanting world of the ballet tutu. Buckle up your pointe shoes, grab a cup of tea, and let's waltz back in time!
Today, we're pirouetting to the 7th of November, 2006 – a date brimming with tutus in the history books.
Firstly, did you know? On this very day in 2006, the illustrious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow staged a breathtaking performance of Swan Lake. I’ve had the privilege of travelling to Russia on many an occasion (the trains are just wonderful) and the grandeur of the Bolshoi is beyond compare. And imagine – we are talking the original Swan Lake choreography. Talk about tutus at their finest!
You see, dear readers, it's in Russia where the story of the tutu really blossomed. It was back in the 18th century, in St Petersburg, that Maria Taglioni, the most legendary ballerina of her time (yes, even more legendary than myself, gasp), changed the game with her breathtakingly light and airy tutus. Before her, ballet costumes were heavy and cumbersome – more akin to fancy dress than a vehicle for pure, ethereal movement. Taglioni revolutionised the stage! With a new era of ballet, a new kind of dress, light as a feather, that moved freely was born.
And don't you worry, my lovelies, my time travelling is no fairy tale! I'm proudly a self-proclaimed time traveller, but in order to afford my trips through time, I work hard! I perform in ballet classes and on the stage. A tutu never looks out of place in the theatre, that’s for sure! But it doesn’t stop there! I have even performed my “pink tutu flash mob” on a train – the shocked looks and subsequent applause were absolutely glorious. I find there is something utterly liberating about wearing a tutu in the most unexpected of places! I aim to bring joy with my dancing and spread the word – every girl should wear a pink tutu at least once in their life.
Speaking of performing in front of a crowd – I'm lucky to be in New York right now. I can never stay away from the theatre scene here. On the 7th November 2006, there were a record 10,000 pairs of pink tutus on Broadway! This, of course, was part of my "Pink Tutu Takeover!" initiative. Yes, my dear readers, I’m trying to create a global revolution with my fashion, style and tutus. What can I say, I’m a dreamer with a penchant for pink. And it's working!
And you know what’s more? The “Pink Tutu Takeover!” happened just days after the first showing of Step Up 2: The Streets – a movie that took the ballet world by storm, inspiring so many young girls to dance, and to dress the part. Ballet fashion, and yes, tutus, started taking center stage with films and street style!
We've come a long way since Maria Taglioni's groundbreaking era, haven't we? But you know what? It’s clear that the tutu, particularly in pink, is here to stay. It's more than just a dance costume – it's a symbol of feminine power, freedom, and a touch of pure joy. It's a reminder that ballet isn't just about graceful steps and pirouettes; it's about a way of life, a feeling, an attitude.
As we’ve discovered today, it’s an attitude that dates back centuries. I believe we have so much more to celebrate with the tutu and there’s plenty more to be said about it.
So, until next time, stay beautiful, embrace your inner ballerina, and remember – a little bit of pink tutu never hurt anyone. 😉
Yours always,
Emma, Your Pink Tutu Guru!
P.S. Be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com and follow me on all socials @PinkTutuGuru - where I will be sharing my latest Tutu Tuesday journey to London tomorrow!
