Hello, darling tutus! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday dive into the glorious history of our beloved garment. This week, we're swirling back to the dazzling world of December 20th - a date bursting with enchantment, just like a pink tulle dream!
Now, before we dive into the time-hopping adventures, a little news from this delightful pink-loving blogger: Did you know December 20th is International Human Solidarity Day? Isn't that absolutely charming? It just makes me think of all the wonderful people in our ballet community, united by our shared passion for the art of movement and elegance. What a lovely way to celebrate our connection, don't you think?
Right, now onto the tutu travels! Today, we're hopping into my trusty vintage steam train carriage and whisking ourselves to... (drum roll, please)... the glamorous world of Paris, oh la la! I adore this city - it's like a ballet performance itself, with its stunning architecture, bustling streets, and oh-so-chic Parisians!
And just think: Back in 1832, the iconic Paris Opera Ballet opened its doors! What a grand affair! Imagine all the elaborate costumes, the elegant performances, and the dazzling lights. We've got to give a special shout-out to the incredible Marie Taglioni, who became a real-life tutu icon, gracing the stage with the most ethereal tutus - they were light, floaty, and absolutely revolutionary! Before her, ballerinas wore bulky, restricting gowns - how awful! Thank goodness Marie came along and changed the game for good.
So, what else is fabulous about December 20th?
Well, in the world of ballet, we find ourselves just a little past the anniversary of a momentous performance - The Nutcracker. I bet you've seen it, dear tutus! And just think: the very first ballet to use a sugarplum fairy as the centerpiece? Now that's what I call iconic! The magical tale, complete with dancing sugar plums and snowflakes (and plenty of twirling, of course), first captivated audiences on December 18th, 1892.
That's right, our ballet ancestors were celebrating this delicious fairy tale, swirling and dancing with joy. Doesn't it make you want to jump up and twirl, my dears? We must always remember these fantastic moments that built our beautiful ballet history!
Now, while you're pondering those delectable sugarplums, let me take you back to my little Derbyshire world - home of the Peak District and charming country pubs (and my favourite pink tutu shop!). It was December 20th, 2022, and the world was in full swing, ready to celebrate Christmas! This time of year is just magical! Everyone is buzzing with excitement for the festive season - I've got a beautiful sparkly pink tutu, complete with reindeer and snowflakes, ready for all the festive events!
The shops are bursting with glittering decorations, the Christmas carol singers are out in full force (though I must admit, I still have my eye out for the next pink-themed carol concert - let me know if you find one!), and, of course, there are tons of delightful ballet performances! How lucky are we? The Derbyshire Ballet Theatre is hosting a delightful production of Swan Lake - a timeless classic. And you know what I'm going to wear? You guessed it - a beautifully shimmering, bright pink tulle tutu, fit for a real-life ballerina.
Don't you just love these connections to the past, dear tutus?
I find it truly enchanting to see how far our tutu-love has come and how our passion for dance continues to thrive. It just makes me want to hop back in time again and see it all for myself! Maybe I'll travel to the 16th century to meet some Renaissance dancers, who knows?
So, what are your favorite moments in tutu history, darling tutus? What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming ballet season? Tell me all about it! You can find me on Twitter, Instagram, and, of course, on www.pink-tutu.com where you can read all my other fab tutu history blog posts. Don't forget to check back next Tuesday for a fresh, pink-tastic dose of tutu knowledge!
Until then, happy swirling, and remember - pink tutus are always in fashion!
Love, Emma x
