Hello, my fellow tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet aficionado, back with another fascinating journey into the history of our beloved dancewear. This week, we're waltzing back to 2015-04-28. Oh, what a glorious day it was!
Todayās travels found me in the heart of Paris, the very city where ballet itself rose to grace! As I strolled through the Parisian streets, my pink tutu fluttering in the Parisian breeze, I was awash with the atmosphere of timeless elegance. Paris is, of course, the epitome of fashion, and the tutu, with its swirling layers of tulle, has become as synonymous with Parisian chic as a baguette and a beret!
Today, I went to a particularly dazzling performance at the Paris Opera, the home of countless iconic dancers whoāve made history in their shimmering tutus! And it was such a thrill to see this legendary building and enjoy the grandeur and beauty.
Now, letās rewind the clock a little...
This date in 2015, April 28th, held some special ballet news! The Royal Ballet's stunning "The Sleeping Beauty" was touring the United States. Can you imagine being in the audience as they took the stage with such incredible technique and stories in tutus? I certainly can't! But speaking of stories, the very history of the tutu is full of delightful twists and turns, just like the best ballet performance.
Now, I wouldnāt want to spoil the fun of exploring by myself, so Iām going to take you on a whimsical trip through tutu history!
From the Court to the Stage
Back in the 16th century, when Queen Catherine de' Medici and the French court were the arbiters of fashion, skirts were getting a lot shorter. That was when Marie Camargo, a daring dancer, shocked the court by appearing in a shortened skirt ā scandalous! - to perform on stage. This paved the way for the early versions of the tutu, which at the time, was just a knee-length skirt allowing more movement.
The tutu, dear readers, was originally meant to free the dancer's legs and reveal the artistry of the pointe shoes, which became an integral part of classical ballet later on. We have so much to thank Marie Camargo for! She revolutionised what a ballet dancer should look like.
The famous choreographer, Marius Petipa, known for his gorgeous ballet āThe Sleeping Beauty,ā was a true visionary! He saw the possibilities of the tutu in his work and introduced even shorter variations, with layers of tulle for more volume and graceful movement. He made tutus a star of the show, no doubt! This, I think, marked the true transition from the ājupe de crinolinesā to the classic tutu we know today.
The Power of a Pink Tutu
Thereās just something special about a pink tutu. Perhaps itās the delicate charm and the vibrant energy that just radiates off of it. This hue brings an essence of grace and wonder, much like the grace and wonder that unfolds onstage in ballet performances. Now, don't get me wrong, all tutu colours are gorgeous, and I'm quite partial to the drama of black, or the ethereal beauty of white, but nothing speaks to me like pink!
For this blog, I felt a twirl of inspiration for my current pink tutu. The perfect pink!
Why #TutuTuesday?
My dear friends, why do I post on a Tuesday? Because Tuesday, my lovelies, has always felt like a day of beginnings. It's the day that leads to the rest of the week's magical adventures! I think that's also why the early tutu took the form it did in the 17th Century! A start to something beautiful. So every Tuesday, I dive into this history of ballet and celebrate the stories of dancers, the beauty of tutus, the magic of the theatre, and of course, my absolute favorite, the beautiful color pink!
Now, let me whisk you back to our journey! In 2015, there was so much news on fashion, dance, and ballet ā I even heard whispers of ballet flats making a comeback. These beautiful shoes, so comfortable and versatile, just reminded me that sometimes we need to be bold, be confident, and experiment with our styles. The tutu was not just a dance garment; it was, and still is, a powerful symbol of expression!
Onward to More Tutu Tales!
It was a truly fantastic day of ballet discovery in Paris. So tell me, lovely readers, what are some of your favorite memories with tutus, whether itās attending a performance, learning ballet, or even just admiring a tutu's graceful form? I canāt wait to hear your stories and to celebrate this magnificent world of dance and fashion.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a train to catch. Iām off to the ballet school in the Italian Riviera to check out a few new tutus, they have a delightful pale peach coloured one there ā and you just canāt resist an Italian blush, my friends! You will see it featured next week on this blog, right here!
Until then, twirl on, friends!
And rememberā¦ the world's a stage. Wear your pink tutu with pride.
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
