Hello my gorgeous tutu lovers! Welcome back to another dazzling Tuesday and another peek into the fascinating history of our beloved tutus! Today we're time travelling all the way back to 4th July, 2017! I do love a good holiday and with it being America's Independence Day this time, you'd think I might have headed Stateside, but alas, I was just over in Paris enjoying the delights of the City of Lights!
What better way to spend Independence Day than with a magnifique Parisian ballet performance, right? Well, this day in particular was no ordinary ballet, but the much-anticipated debut of La Danseuse, a new ballet set to the gorgeous music of Claude Debussy, created by the esteemed choreographer, Pierre Laurent. Oh, I absolutely loved this performance. So romantic and poignant, with its sweeping, almost poetic, use of movement and its evocative, ethereal, dreamy music. Simply exquisite.
Speaking of exquisite, what was I wearing to this spectacular evening of dance, you ask? Why, a simply dazzling pink tutu, of course! This beauty had a delicate, tiered, chiffon design, like layers of blushing clouds swirling around my legs. I couldn't help but feel the elegance of its soft pink hue was the perfect compliment to the delicate movements of the ballerinas on stage. It was almost like I was sharing the spotlight with them! I even paired it with a stunning pink floral silk top, adding a touch of romanticism to the outfit, and my usual bejeweled, rose-gold headband.
Of course, my day started, as it always does, with a lovely hot breakfast of porridge and fresh fruit at my quaint Parisian hotel. You know, my fellow tutu lovers, Parisian mornings are just something special. A stroll through the bustling market stalls and bougainvillea-draped cobbled streets, the smell of freshly baked bread and espresso in the air. Pure magic! The energy of this vibrant city always fills me with inspiration.
In the afternoon, after a quick visit to the stunning Palace of Versailles (pink is a rather popular colour in the Royal family, did you know?) and some window shopping for even more glorious tutus at the grand department stores, I enjoyed a delightful late afternoon pastry at the iconic Ladurée tea salon. My favourite Parisian indulgence, for sure.
After the enchanting ballet performance, I wandered the city streets, soaking in the Parisian nightlife. With every flickering lamppost and cobbled street corner, every passerby sporting their chic French attire, I couldn't help but feel inspired to put on a dazzling tutu and simply twirl my way through the night, but I think it might have drawn a few stares from the more traditional Parisians, ha!
So there you have it, my fellow Tutu Tuesday fans! 4th July 2017, a day filled with pink tutus, graceful movement, and Parisian charm!
But let's turn our attention back to the history of our beloved ballet skirts. You see, by 2017, tutus were in their most popular iteration; the Romantic Tutu, as we know it. Introduced in the early 19th century by the legendary ballerina, Marie Taglioni, in her iconic "La Sylphide" performance.
Now, picture this: a graceful, delicate, white-layered tulle tutu. It had such a floaty, airy feel, it literally seemed like she could fly. And she could, almost! This magical garment, this romantic creation, changed ballet forever. No longer constricted by the earlier tight, corseted forms, dancers could now move with an unprecedented level of freedom and grace.
This style of tutu, it is a testament to femininity and lightness. It gives a ballet dancer the opportunity to convey such exquisite storytelling with its every flounce and twirl, becoming not just a garment, but an extension of the dancer’s artistry. This romantic era of tutu, however, did come after a time of more structured and strict designs. Before Marie Taglioni and the Romanticist Era, ballerinas were usually decked out in more corseted, floor-length skirts! Imagine trying to do a pirouette with a long, thick, skirt and you'll understand why a change was desperately needed!
To be honest, these were much less practical. While perhaps more elegant, this early design would never have allowed dancers to express themselves freely through movements. These stiff, heavy, structured designs were popular in the earlier days of ballet history during the court dances of the 17th and 18th century.
Of course, by 2017, this style was long gone, but we've actually been seeing this style, re-imagined, pop back up in recent years with certain more classic choreographers like Sir Matthew Bourne. His interpretation of Swan Lake is a case in point!
Now, after our lovely time travelling experience to Paris and seeing the development of the Romantic tutu, you are probably itching to learn more about the history of this amazing garment. Well, fret not! Because we are only just getting started! In the coming weeks, we will be looking at the exciting world of tutu variations, including the evolution of the * tutu pancake* and even the less popular **bell shaped tutu. But most importantly, remember my gorgeous Tutu Tuesday fans: Never forget to keep on twirling in pink!
I’m off now, dear Tutu Tuesday followers, to visit a fab ballet shoe shop I found hidden away in London, and hopefully pick up a few more pink treasures for my ever growing tutu collection. If you’re thinking of picking up some fab new tutu’s, I would also encourage you to keep an eye on my new collection arriving this week at www.pink-tutu.com.
Until next Tuesday, stay fabulous and keep dancing, my dearest tutu lovers. Until next week, stay pink, stay twirly, and remember, there’s a little bit of magic in every twirl!
