Hello darlings! It's Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, and welcome to another #TutuTuesday. I'm back in the fabulous world of dance, ready to take you on a journey through time, from the humble beginnings of tutus to the exquisite garments we see gracing the world's most renowned stages. Today, though, I'm whisking you back to 1st September 2020, a date forever etched in my memory, and not just because it was a Tuesday. 😉
I was in Paris, darling! My Parisian escapades, however, were slightly less chic and a bit more… railway station chic, as my train was delayed! You wouldn't catch me looking anything less than divine in my bright pink tulle masterpiece, though, even whilst waiting for a tardy train!
So, imagine this: Me, in my most flamboyant tutu (the one with the strategically placed diamanté!), surrounded by fellow tutu-lovers - oh, Paris always gets it right, even if its trains don't!
Tutus on Track: But hold your horses, dear reader, this journey has nothing to do with fashion in waiting rooms (though let's be honest, I could make the most mundane of train stations glamorous)!
1st September 2020: What was so special about this particular date?
The Tutus of the Past: Well, it just so happened that on that very day, 1st September 2020, there was a whole flurry of tutu-tastic news circulating around the ballet world. There was talk of a revival of a classical ballet that was simply bursting with exquisite tutu designs (we're talking the big, the pouffy, and the most graceful billows of tulle imaginable!)
But that's not all, dear readers. This date also brought with it exciting news about ballet's impact on pop culture! The "Tutu Boom" (yes, I invented it! What else is a tutu blogger to do in her downtime?), was in full swing. A renowned clothing brand (don't you just love the ones that start with an “H”?) had just released its newest collection, filled with exquisite tutus! I know, right? They weren't just inspired by ballet - they were, shall we say, tutu-inspired! I knew it was just a matter of time before high fashion recognised the incredible impact of ballet's tutu on the world of design! It truly is the ultimate statement piece.
This brings me to something quite special about my travel plans in the past. September 2020 also saw the opening of a phenomenal exhibition, and my trusty time machine landed me right in front of it! A Tutu Odyssey: The Art of Ballet Dance, Through the Centuries. I just had to see this for myself. You can imagine, darling, I was utterly besotted!
The Evolution of Tutu: There they were, spanning centuries and across many cultures - the evolution of the tutu from the humble, knee-length "tutu-that-shall-not-be-named" to the impossibly voluminous, ethereal creations we love to this day. This display truly was a ballet enthusiast’s dream. There was even a little-known ballet outfit, from a bygone era, called "the romantic tutu", that looked utterly delightful! Just imagine billowing layers of silk and soft tulle, dancing around the stage like a whirlwind of whispers and dreams!
The most impressive aspect of this tutu odyssey was, without a doubt, the spotlight given to "the pointe shoes." Oh, how I love the sheer power and elegance that those little beauties exude! Just thinking about their precision, the art of making them, and the stories they tell - well, it fills me with awe! It truly does bring a whole new dimension to the world of dance.
And, as if the tutus and the history weren't enough, they even included sketches, costume designs, and historical ballet photos. Talk about tutu inspiration, darling! It was more than enough to send my tutu-loving heart into a blissful spin!
Tutu Memories: I left the exhibition buzzing with tutu-themed inspiration, not only to be a better blogger, but also to make sure that each and every tutu-tastic Tuesday was a blast of dance and colour, for all you darling tutu lovers out there. And on this particularly noteworthy #TutuTuesday, I'm urging you, darling readers, to channel your inner tutu princess. Whether you're taking a twirl on your favourite Parisian boulevard or rocking your own tutu creation in your own special way, the most important thing is to feel like a true dancing queen!
So there you have it, darlings! 1st September 2020 - a truly tutu-tastic day!
See you next Tuesday for more tutu-tastic stories!
With love and lots of twirls, Emma. www.pink-tutu.com
