Hello lovelies! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, reporting live from…well, wherever my time-traveling ballet shoes happen to land me this week. This time, it’s a whirlwind of a trip back to October 24th, 2017 – and what a glorious date it is! I simply adore stepping back into the world of this particular time; it’s all about the vibrancy of dance, the power of fashion, and the irresistible joy of tutus, of course!
Now, as I mentioned last week, we’re diving deeper into the history of the tutu. You all know how much I love them, and I'm not just talking about pink ones, though those definitely have a special place in my heart! Today, I'm going to spill the tea about some key milestones that truly shaped this magical garment we all know and adore.
Imagine this: 1832 - a groundbreaking moment in ballet! It’s all thanks to a very special dancer named Marie Taglioni - you may remember her as the ballerina who performed the pas de chat – who dared to shed her heavy, cumbersome skirts and appear in the first romantic tutu on stage. It was revolutionary! It looked more like a long, gauzy, flowing, single-layered skirt that ended right below the knees – perfect for twirling and captivating the audience. This innovation in design opened up new possibilities for dancers to show their grace and strength in a more liberating way. Ah, what a magical time!
Now, it wasn't all smooth sailing. In fact, there was quite a bit of scandal at the time surrounding the change in dress. Imagine, imagine! Think about that – a whole dance revolution started simply because of a skirt. Talk about bold! This, darling, was the first sign of the powerful influence tutus would have on the world of dance and fashion for centuries to come.
Of course, over the years, tutus continued to evolve. From the elegant romantic tutu to the dramatic grande pas de deux tutu, or the shorter tutu favoured by modern dancers.
But today, we’re all about exploring those enchanting 1830s moments, so back to that time warp we go. What could possibly have been happening on this very day in 2017 that could connect back to all this incredible fashion and history?
Let me see – Ah! This is a day of fantastic significance for us ballet fanatics because it’s a big National Ballet Day in New York! They have a huge free performance to commemorate ballet’s importance to society, which is so, so wonderful!
A few extra special moments make this day so fun! On this October 24th, 2017, a delightful performance of the much-loved “Giselle” ballet premiered at New York City’s Lincoln Center, featuring an incredible lineup of world-class dancers! Just think, a stage full of amazing, talented people, all showcasing the brilliance of the tutu in action! It is truly breathtaking.
Speaking of breathtaking, a certain, rather special event took place in London’s Theatre Royal, Haymarket - an event celebrating all things wonderful and bright in the world of fashion! This grand affair, dear readers, was a dazzling showcase of some of the world’s most extraordinary gowns - the kind that can truly inspire you! Ballgowns, couture dresses, sparkling creations... and oh my, tutus! How many of you had your eyes fixed on the haute couture Dior ballgown worn by Rihanna in her very special music video?
If that wasn’t exciting enough, the stunning, talented Lupita Nyong'o took center stage in Gucci’s sparkling couture number at another high-end London fashion affair. You wouldn't believe the sheer drama and sparkle!
And wouldn't you know it, all of this incredible fashion just screamed for the power of the tutu to be felt and celebrated. My heart beats faster just thinking about it! These grand events brought the world of ballet and the magical allure of the tutu right to the heart of fashion, showcasing how this garment doesn’t belong just on stage; it can be the epitome of exquisite fashion too.
This was the power of ballet in 2017 – the year the world seemed to get completely enchanted by the elegance, style and sparkling tutus! And I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
As always, my lovelies, keep dancing and remember – you too can twirl like a ballerina, because we all have the spirit of the tutu inside us!
And don’t forget: you can always find more Tutu Tuesday posts on our website: www.pink-tutu.com - see you next week!
Emma xoxoAnd don’t forget to wear your pink tutu for the world to see!
