Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, ready to whisk you back in time on a whirlwind journey of tutu-tastic history! This week, I'm heading to the 13th of September, 2016. Just a hop, skip and a pirouette back!
Now, imagine the scene. It's a bright, breezy September morning, and the streets are filled with the scent of autumn leaves and freshly baked pastries. I'm rocking a lovely powder pink tulle tutu, perfectly complemented by a crisp white blouse and some chic ballet flats (did I tell you, these are from that darling boutique on Rue de la Paix, absolutely to die for!).
Oh, and it's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time for a delightful dive into the magical world of ballet tutus! And darling, this isn't just about the skirt, it's about the stories it whispers! The history of the tutu, my dears, is an incredible tapestry woven with grace, ingenuity and of course, plenty of sequins.
Before we delve into the historical happenings of 2016, let's go on a quick little trip back to the roots of the tutu, shall we? Way back to the early days of ballet, where our beloved tutu took on different forms - the bell skirt was popular with Italian dancers in the 1700s, it was short and loose, creating a sort of swirling silhouette as the dancer moved.
But then, my dears, along came the 1800s! That's where the real magic happened, where the tutu as we know it, began to truly flourish. Think long, billowing layers of tulle! Think Marie Taglioni in "La Sylphide" (which was a total sensation!), a delicate little vision floating onstage, wearing a whimsical, billowing white tutu, a look that captured the imagination of audiences and paved the way for the iconic design we adore today.
In the latter half of the 1800s, the tutu became the star! Imagine, beautiful creations made from layers of tulle and taffeta, the epitome of graceful, light-as-air fashion.
Oh, but my lovelies, it was more than just looks! The tutu was, and continues to be, an incredible piece of engineering designed to give ballet dancers freedom of movement! We have those amazing layers of tulle to thank for those magical leaps and turns, those breathtaking poses.
Now, back to 2016! So, the date is 13th September, and what a busy week it was for the world of ballet! There were numerous incredible performances happening around the globe, including...
- **The Royal Ballet in London, they're performing 'Giselle,' with a magnificent tutu finale you just HAVE to see.
- *The Paris Opera Ballet had *Cinderella on stage! Such elegant costumes, such sparkling choreography! It’s no wonder it became one of the year’s most talked about shows.
- And speaking of dazzling tutus, imagine this: the American Ballet Theatre in New York are wowing audiences with a tutu-filled production of ‘Swan Lake.’ Now, that’s some real drama!
But the tutu, dear reader, isn’t only a symbol of grace and athleticism, it's a timeless symbol of dreams and possibilities!
On a more personal level, I can't tell you how many amazing tutus I discovered in boutiques during my little time trip. A lovely blush pink tulle number with some sparkling sequins that reminded me of a sugar plum fairy, a dreamy pastel yellow creation that looked just perfect for twirling under a warm summer sky, and even a stunning sapphire blue number that made me think of royalty. Oh, and don't forget, a good tutu is an investment! A high-quality, perfectly made one, my darlings, can last for years and years and become a precious heirloom.
But for me, the real charm lies in the spirit of the tutu. It's a reminder to embrace whimsy, to spin, to dream and to embrace our own personal beauty.
That's why, you know what I'm going to say? It's time to spread the tutu love!
I have an absolute dream that someday everyone will embrace the joy and magic of the tutu! A world full of twirling and spinning, where fashion meets creativity and all of us feel confident, free and a little bit sparkly. We’ll start with me, in my pink tutu.
Come along, my lovelies! You don't have to be a ballerina to wear a tutu. It's just a simple way to show your joy for life. I encourage you to express yourself. Put on your own tutu, pick a beautiful colour and get ready to spin! You can tell everyone, "I got my tutu inspiration from Emma's #TutuTuesday blog. " It will make you stand out and shine in all your elegance and fun. I guarantee you, you’ll be the best-dressed girl in the room!
And with that, my dears, I'm off! I've got a few more tutu treasures to find on my fashion journey, and a certain Parisian café with divine chocolate croissants beckoning. I promise you a new adventure every Tuesday! Stay fabulous, my lovelies, and remember - always, always believe in the magic of the tutu.
Yours in swirling tulle,
Emma xoxo
This is just a taste of the magic we have in store for the future! So be sure to check back next Tuesday for a brand-new #TutuTuesday journey and an even greater dive into the wonder of the world of dance!
