Hiya lovely lot! It’s your girl Emma here, fresh from another amazing adventure, and ready to take you on a tutu-ly delightful journey through time.
Today's #TutuTuesday takes us right back to the 8th of May, 2012. That’s right, a little over a decade ago – still in the realm of living memory! Can you believe it? Back then, we were still obsessed with Gangnam Style and getting ready for the London Olympics, which is oh-so-fitting as today’s journey will be a grand trip across the Channel! We’ll be heading over to Paris – the city of love, pastries, and, of course, fabulous ballet!
As we boarded the train, a beautiful French-inspired midi skirt danced in my mind. My head was filled with all sorts of thoughts about the past: Who were the ballet dancers of this era? What were their favourite tutues like? What were people dancing to? And, most importantly, were there any opportunities for pink tutu action?!
To get us started, let’s flash back to 2012, the year of "Black Swan" and the iconic tutu that stole the show! That year was a peak time for ballet in the media – it was everywhere! And there's no better place to get that ballet fever going than the grande dame herself, Paris Opera Ballet. So off we went!
Stepping into the glorious Opéra Garnier, the birthplace of many a legendary tutu, we were immediately whisked back in time! Imagine, ladies, intricate gilded interiors, grand staircases, and the scent of old books mixed with a hint of bergamot. Absolutely divine! It felt like being transported into a storybook, and oh, the excitement bubbling up inside!
Before I dive into the tutu history, let’s not forget that Paris, just like the rest of the world, was celebrating fashion in 2012! I made a bee-line to Galeries Lafayette, the epitome of Parisian elegance, where the displays were a true testament to that year's fashion – bright colours, bold patterns, and oh, those amazing statement earrings. I scooped up some gorgeous pieces: a coral necklace that wouldn't look out of place in a ballet costume, and a floral silk scarf, perfect for adding a touch of femininity to a casual outfit.
Of course, we couldn't go to Paris without experiencing the magic of ballet, right? We headed to the Palais Garnier to see "La Bayadère", an enchanting spectacle. The sheer artistry and skill of the dancers left us speechless – and speaking of speechless, I was swooning over the white tutus. They flowed gracefully as the ballerinas pirouetted across the stage, and everything felt magical!
Here’s a fun fact: "La Bayadère" is all about a beautiful temple dancer, which I found quite fitting given our tutu quest, wouldn't you say?
My investigation led me to learn that tutus, even in their more refined 19th century form, were not so unlike the playful designs we see today. Imagine, ladies, intricate lace, swathes of tulle, and all the sparkly details.
What about the history behind these beauties? Well, the tutu journey is surprisingly fascinating! From the early days of ballet where dancers wore long, restrictive skirts, they moved towards the shorter and lighter, more graceful, tutus we adore today.
Imagine a time when tutus were not just about dance – they were fashion statements, worn on everyday streets! The evolution is rather inspiring, wouldn't you say? And this Parisian escapade really put this all into perspective.
We ended our Parisian adventure with a visit to the Musée d'Orsay, marveling at the Impressionist art. And just as a Parisian café owner offered me a cup of caffé latte, we bumped into a stunning Parisian woman sporting a gorgeous baby pink tutu over a classic, white T-shirt and a vintage leather jacket. I almost choked on my pastry – this was my dream, my mission: To get everyone to embrace the pink tutu power!
She had the confidence to pull it off beautifully. It was all about finding that perfect balance between sophisticated Parisian style and childlike joy, a mix I’ve always felt passionate about!
As we boarded the train back, the whole adventure felt like a delightful, pastel-coloured dream – just like the pink of my very own tutu. Back in the present day, I’m filled with ideas, ready to spread the pink tutu love! What better way to brighten your day than with a sprinkle of tutu magic?
So, keep your eyes peeled for Tutu Tuesday posts every week – we'll be embarking on more adventures, discovering new stories, and exploring the fascinating history of ballet’s tutu legacy!
Remember, lovelies, life's too short to be anything less than tutu fabulous!
Until next Tuesday,
Your tutu enthusiast,
Emma 💕
TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #Paris #pinktutu #balletlife #balletlove #pinkpower #fashion