Bonjour mes amies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here with another whirlwind of tulle and history! Buckle up, darling, as we take a trip back to the glorious year of 2014.
Where in the world is Emma today?
Well, this week I found myself skipping through the streets of Paris, darling. A true ballet lover could never stay away from the City of Lights for long. Paris is simply buzzing with an excitement for ballet, so many exquisite theatres to explore and of course, the famous Paris Opera Ballet which is performing an absolutely breathtaking production of Swan Lake today! How thrilling!
Oh! And wouldn't you know it, International Women's Day is just a few days away, which makes this week's #TutuTuesday even more special, as it celebrates the extraordinary achievements of women around the globe. It's a time to reflect on how far we've come and to champion all the brilliant things women are doing, which in my opinion, absolutely includes wearing tutus! We might not be ballerinas all, but I certainly think a pink tutu makes every woman feel fabulous, and wouldn’t that be something to celebrate?!
Tutus in the Time of... 2014?
The tutu has truly come into its own in this era! Think glamorous and colourful, girls! We’re talking layers of chiffon and shimmering fabrics - the tutus have gotten so extravagant! A real fairytale dream, truly! This style wouldn't have looked out of place in the magical story of The Sleeping Beauty - those exquisite, diaphanous layers, perfectly suited to twirling and dancing. The ballet world was simply swirling with style!
Let’s talk about the famous designers of 2014, there's so much amazing artistry out there! In particular, Christian Lacroix was making quite the splash with his outlandish, romantic designs - think intricate lace, frills, and a kaleidoscope of colour! Oh my! Now those are designs for a real princess. I couldn't resist buying a lovely, lavender coloured number myself for this week's grand ball. So fabulous!
What Makes 2014's Tutus So Unique?
I think one thing that made the tutus of 2014 so special was the return to the traditional. While we saw all kinds of cutting edge designs, we also saw a revival of the classic tutus. Imagine beautiful layers of white tulle, beautifully tailored and soft – truly stunning! Those tutus never fail to make me feel like a ballerina myself!
I had a divine experience visiting a little shop hidden down a cobblestoned alley in the Marais District just last week, full of antique ballet costumes! You wouldn't believe the history I saw there - gorgeous tutus worn by some of the world’s greatest dancers from the past! My eyes absolutely popped when I saw a 19th century tutu for "Giselle". Absolutely enchanting!
*A Ballet in Time… *
What would a ballet-obsessed traveller be doing without seeing a performance? Well, imagine this… the glittering chandeliers, the plush red velvet seats, the smell of jasmine... Pure enchantment. I truly believe the whole world should be enjoying this type of luxury!
But darling, we mustn’t forget it’s the ballet itself which keeps this fabulous time-travelling girl tickled pink!
The dancing, the costumes, the emotions! Even though the tutus are extraordinary and the history is fascinating, I love nothing more than simply losing myself in the world of the story.
There is no better feeling than being swept away on the current of a beautiful performance. Imagine, dancing on stage, a spotlight catching the tulle as you twirl, making you feel as graceful and beautiful as the dancers! It truly feels magical, like a dream!
How to Have Your Own #TutuTuesday
Do you want to embrace the fabulousness of a tutu but feel like it might not fit your day-to-day life? Well darling, let me assure you, it does! Tutus are perfect for everyone! They are truly adaptable for anything - a ballet class, a birthday party, a walk in the park - if you want to feel whimsical and confident, embrace the tutu! Life’s too short for plain clothes, and that's why every Tuesday, I dedicate my website to all things tutu, to encourage the world to feel the same way!
Come visit www.pink-tutu.com! It’s filled with exciting tutu information, fashion tips and links to my favourite shops for your perfect tutu. And why not wear it next time you step onto a train! A beautiful tutu on the London underground, a sight to see! Just watch how quickly people around you get swept away in the magic of a pink tutu!
And be sure to join me next week for another scintillating episode of #TutuTuesday as I journey through the annals of ballet history! We will discuss all the most incredible moments in ballet from the very beginning all the way to the present! I know it’s a pretty big task, darling, but I simply can’t resist!
Adieu for now, darlings! And until next week, keep on twirling!
Yours truly, Emma x
PS. You can find me on Twitter @pinktutu_emma! We can discuss ballet, history, tutus - the world is our oyster! And remember darling, always be a pink-tutu-wearing fairy godmother in your own right!
