Helloooo my darling tutu lovers! Emma here, back again for your weekly dose of all things tutu! I'm typing this up from a gorgeous Parisian café, tucked away on a cobbled street, just a hop, skip and jump away from the Grand Palais. Why Paris? Well, you'll just have to keep reading! 😉
It's Tuesday, 24th November 2009 and guess what?! It's also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women! We've come a long way, haven't we? It’s amazing how the world's perception of femininity has shifted. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty darn proud to be a woman! And you know what's even more powerful? Celebrating our individuality, expressing ourselves through colour, and yes, you guessed it… rocking a pink tutu! 💪
Today's #TutuTuesday blog is extra special as it's dedicated to celebrating women and their extraordinary role in ballet history! Who doesn't love a bit of glitter, glamour and, of course, a dash of pink tulle?!
So let's travel back in time… all aboard the Tutu Express! 🚂
I’ve been hopping around various eras, soaking up all the fascinating history that goes hand in hand with tutus!
This week, we're heading back to the Victorian era to the late 19th century, a period that saw the emergence of a certain iconic ballerina… Anna Pavlova! ✨
Known for her grace, artistry, and absolutely stunning stage presence, Pavlova was the quintessential ballerina of her time! With a tutu on! Imagine being so famous, so adored, that you travel the world showcasing your talents - that's the kind of power Anna Pavlova held!
This is what she wore:
Remember those fluffy, layered, romantic tutus? That was Pavlova’s signature style. I'm talking layers and layers of tulle, which made her look absolutely ethereal! And her pointe shoes? Just breathtaking. They made the dance seem even more effortless! 🤩
Pavlova wasn’t just a brilliant dancer. She was a visionary artist, pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" ballet. Her impact was felt on the design of tutus, particularly her fascination with shorter, more movement-centric styles.
Now, what did she have in common with our #TutuTuesday pink tutu? The colour was still mainly used in costumes for other performances but with time... pink tutus... they are just around the corner! Just you wait... we’re getting there. The tutus were there, the performance was there, but not the pink. 🤫
Now, the year is 2009. This week the fashionistas are making bold statements, too. Paris is buzzing with all sorts of fashion shows, so I have to pop in to see what's hot off the catwalk! 😉 Who doesn’t love a trip to the beautiful city of Paris? It's known as the “City of Lights” and for good reason! There's just an indescribable energy in the air, that’s almost tangible. Maybe it's because the streets are lined with the most incredible, trendy boutiques filled with luxurious clothing, or perhaps because I can indulge my shoe addiction without any guilt - whatever the reason, it’s magic!
This trip was no different, as the City of Lights is absolutely abuzz with activity and events like:
Le Mondial de la Danse at the Palais de Congress de Paris and at the Palais de Chaillot where all of the most talented dancers across the globe battle it out! I couldn't help but think… how do these young performers have enough time for a bite to eat, let alone a proper nap! I feel like the queen of resting so my day is set to take a trip to see the "Danse" and get myself comfy and glamorous at a chic restaurant near the River Seine.
My dear friends, this is just the beginning! The Tutu Express is set to take off next week and I have so much more to share! There are many more Tutu Tuesday history trips in the works! I am truly looking forward to sharing all of these fabulous discoveries with you.
Until next Tuesday! Keep twirling and dreaming in pink! ✨💖
Yours in Tulle,
Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com*
