Greetings, darling Tutu enthusiasts! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-clad time-travelling ballerina, and I'm so delighted you've joined me for another #TutuTuesday!
Today we're twirling back to the 16th October 2007, a date buzzing with energy in the ballet world, particularly for those of us who adore the graceful swirl of a tutu!
Before I whisk you off to this magnificent year, let's do a little dance through the past! Tutus, those glorious frills of tulle that make a ballerinaās movements so exquisite, didnāt always exist! Shocking, I know, but before the late 1800s, dancers performed in longer skirts. Can you imagine?! Imagine trying to chassĆ© in those cumbersome affairs! Thank goodness the imaginative mind of Marius Petipa came along and realised dancers needed to be able to soar through the air, and the glorious tutu was born!
And just when you thought a tutu couldnāt get any better, in the 19th century came the romantic tutu, made of tulle with frills at the bottom. Ah, what a masterpiece of fashion history!
Now, back to the vibrant year of 2007! Oh, darling, the year was overflowing with ballet excitement. For those in New York, the Metropolitan Opera was abuzz with the iconic "Swan Lake". London, the cultural heart of our world, held the glorious premiere of āA Midsummer Night's Dreamā. And across the channel in Paris, the OpĆ©ra National de Paris was captivated by the fiery brilliance of āThe Firebirdā. My diary, filled with tickets and travel plans, just wouldn't shut! It was simply a dazzling era for ballet!
Of course, as an expert tutu enthusiast, the main draw for me on this particular date in 2007 was the arrival of a brand new book on the history of ballet! "Ballet: A History in 100 Steps" was all the rage. Such a beautiful blend of ballet history and breathtaking photography ā you just had to have a copy! It sat so gracefully on my bedside table alongside "Tutu Tales" and "The Magic of Ballet", all of which were in the midst of sparking my passion for ballet.
Oh, the joy of the ballet world in 2007! It reminds me so much of the present day ā the enthusiasm, the sheer beauty of the movements, the elegant costumes! But then, thereās also the allure of vintage tutus, you know, the ones you find at antique shops, slightly worn with faded tulle. They are practically a glimpse into ballet history, a piece of fabric infused with the spirit of generations past! Don't you simply love a bit of history intertwined with glamour?
Remember darlings, don't let your days be dreary! Embrace life's moments of sheer beauty. A pink tutu may not change the world, but it certainly brings joy! It reminds us to embrace every opportunity for artistry and to remember, as we stand in the wings ready to take centre stage: every performance is a story in the making.
So, what do you say, darling? Are you ready to embrace a tutu today? Or perhaps you'd like to head down to your local ballet theatre? There's a beautiful ballet show, filled with a magical, elegant ballet story and maybe even a fabulous tutu on a talented dancer waiting for you!
Whatever you choose to do, remember to enjoy life, one twirl at a time. Until next #TutuTuesday, stay radiant, darling, and donāt forget your pink tutu!
With love and twirls, Emma
P.S. Did you know, darlings, that Derbyshire, where I call home, has a beautiful tradition of dance? Itās where the Derbyshire Dance, also known as "Country Dance" is celebrated, often in elaborate costumes and full of lively moves! I even spotted some very enthusiastic Derbyshire dancers dressed in tulle in 2007! You could say that our regionās dancers have always had a connection with tulle, even if it wasnāt quite the tutu we know and love! And if you ever happen to be in Derbyshire, you absolutely must check it out. Itās a lovely sight to see.
