Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, ready to take you on another thrilling trip through the glorious history of the ballet tutu! Today marks a special Tuesday, so I've packed my vintage steamer trunk full of shimmering silks and sequins, ready to explore the world of the tutu around the magical date of 2020-06-02.
Hold onto your hats, lovelies, because today's journey is taking us to the beating heart of tutu-mania: Paris. 🇫🇷 It's hard to resist the charm of this city, and it’s no surprise that it's considered the undisputed queen of ballet and the birthplace of the tutu as we know it!
Remember, this is #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com, where my mission is to share the amazing evolution of this magical garment, bringing the beauty and joy of ballet to everyone, one twirling tutu at a time. We're on post number 9832 now, darlings! This blog is an ode to all things ballet and tutus, and I'm utterly smitten by them all. I hope you love joining me on my journey through time.
So, let's rewind the clock and dive into the captivating world of ballet fashion on the 2nd of June, 2020. Oh, how exciting! On that date, the city of lights is preparing for an enchanting evening of ballet at the Opéra Garnier. As always, I was mesmerized by the performance. Imagine a world of elegance and grace where the delicate tulle skirts seem to defy gravity, soaring and swirling in a dazzling ballet. Just breathtaking!
Speaking of gravity-defying gowns, wouldn’t it be simply darling to peek behind the curtain on the 2nd of June, 2020? Well, darling, today's post is an extra special treat because I can't help but indulge my fascination with fashion. Today we are going backstage to find out what's on trend in the world of ballet! And it's the tutus, lovelies, of course!
In the Parisian studios of Chacott and Repetto, ateliers buzz with the anticipation of a new production, each seamstress carefully sewing intricate layers of tulle onto a ballet skirt. Imagine those dainty little feet skimming the floor, and oh! That graceful swan-like posture - everything about it is just beautiful! The tutus in 2020 are exquisite, featuring daring and captivating designs with beautiful embellishments that draw the eye, such as the perfect placement of beads or delicate lace.
My favourite? Why, a classic romantic tutu with a fluffy, billowing skirt. It’s all about femininity, like a soft and delicate cloud that makes each ballerina appear so ethereal. This iconic tutu captures the essence of romantic ballet, giving a real sense of history, as its legacy can be traced back to the dreamy days of Marie Taglioni and her famous portrayal of La Sylphide in the 1830s!
Speaking of trends, let’s have a little fashion-filled afternoon tea break in Paris! (My darling, if you don't like tea, just indulge me!) A quintessentially British touch in Paris! After our visit to Chacott and Repetto, we have a chance to admire some of the incredible designs and innovations on display at Ballet Mania in Paris. It's a shop brimming with ballet essentials and beautiful tutus! Imagine me, swirling about the shop like a delightful ballet dancer, enthralled by the glorious sights of silks, satins, and shimmering embellishments. They're my absolute favourite!
Now, to fully understand the Parisian fascination with the ballet tutu, it's time to take a journey through the fascinating evolution of this iconic piece of apparel. We must acknowledge the vital role that the tutu played in the development of ballet itself. Back in the 1600s, long skirts of silk and velvet posed a serious challenge to dancers who wanted to twirl with elegance and agility!
You see, darlings, I'm a lover of ballet history! We owe the 'short tutu', as we know it, to the revolutionary Marie Taglioni, and let's just say, she truly brought the beauty of the female body to centre stage. Imagine a skirt that ends at the knee, exposing those darling, graceful legs, allowing for a freedom of movement that changed the face of ballet forever.
The French loved the romantic and charming ballet era - they were obsessed with it! From there, the tutu continued its spectacular evolution! As the decades passed, from the late 19th century through to the modern day, we see tutus morph into new and innovative forms. There’s the iconic Classical Tutu with its tiered, layered skirt, which offers an undeniable air of majestic, imposing femininity, just divine! And, of course, the playful and whimsical Character Tutu for more playful performances, showcasing bold designs and captivating colours. And can't forget those fantastic Pointe Shoes, lovelies, a triumph of dancewear engineering, allowing for effortless leaps, elegant tiptoes and breathtaking extensions!
Oh! Let’s make our way to Le Printemps Haussmann - such a fabulous shopping mall! With all these fashion influences swirling in my head, I’m simply in my element, lovelies!
Now, let's step outside for a leisurely stroll around the vibrant rue de Rivoli.
The city feels alive with a delightful buzz as the warm sunshine bathes the beautiful buildings, just waiting for the twinkling lights of the evening to grace them. It's the kind of ambiance that could inspire the most enchanting ballet, don't you think?
I love those pretty little shops, overflowing with colourful silk fabrics and those delicate lace patterns, ready to create even more dazzling tutus. Imagine a Parisian ballet company - their wardrobe bursting with amazing tutus! Oh my! It just fills me with inspiration!
So, whether we’re admiring a shimmering tutu, dancing on a stage in Paris, or getting ready for our next trip, the power of the ballet tutu truly shines bright! The tutu is an integral part of the magic of ballet, bringing joy, beauty, and wonder to every stage it graces.
As a final flourish, I leave you with a thought. I'd love you to share your love for ballet tutus with the world, why not put on your own pink tutu and spread the joy of dance with me? Remember, you don’t have to be a professional ballerina to rock a tutu! Join me in my mission to embrace the tutu, in all its whimsical glory! It's about freedom, creativity, and unleashing the magical ballet spirit within.
Until next time, darlings, twirl with grace and confidence!
TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #BalletLove #ParisianGlamourLove,
Emma xx
