Hello my darling dears, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and twirly! It's Tuesday, which means it's time to delve into the delightful history of ballet tutus. Today, we're celebrating a truly monumental milestone: this is our 10,000th blog post!
I can hardly believe it! It feels like only yesterday I was a little girl, pirouetting in my makeshift tutu, daydreaming of a life filled with dance. Now, here I am, zipping around the world in a time-travelling pink tutu, sharing my love of all things ballet with you. It's been a wild ride, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Today, we're time travelling to 2023-08-22. It's the middle of August, the air is still warm from summer's embrace, and the streets are alive with the excitement of impending holidays. I've just popped into Harrods for a little window shopping (they really do have the most stunning tutus in the entire world!). And to think, we owe this incredible piece of dancewear to one Monsieur Marius Petipa.
The year is 1881, and Mr. Petipa is creating the choreography for La Bayadère. The traditional, floor-length, tiered ballet skirt was simply not working for this dance. The story, a love triangle in the depths of a Hindu temple, called for something more dramatic, more flowing. Enter the "tutu", named after a long, lightweight cotton fabric, popular in that period. And with its arrival, a revolution in dance wear!
Petipa knew just how to use this new garment. He combined a short skirt, or a single layer of tulle, with a fitted bodice to create a garment that would allow ballerinas the freedom and grace to perform the incredibly demanding steps. And the effect? Pure magic! Just like a cloud floating through the air, dancers became weightless and ethereal.
Today, there are all sorts of tutus, my lovelies! From the short, Romantic tutus, that flow and flutter as you spin, to the fuller Classical tutu which evokes images of a swan taking flight.
There’s a reason why tutus are still a timeless piece of dancewear. They simply exude a captivating femininity that shines in the spotlight. Don’t be fooled, there is artistry, structure and a true engineering talent involved in crafting the perfectly fitted tutu. Each one, painstakingly stitched and pleated, becomes a work of art in its own right.
Speaking of captivating femininity, let's delve into this year’s top trends in tutus:
- Bold, Bright colours: Say goodbye to classic pink and welcome a vibrant world of orange, turquoise, emerald, and even metallics!
- Unique Textures: From feathers and sequins to beading and embroidery, today's tutus are anything but basic.
- A Touch of Nature: Florals and leaf patterns are taking the stage by storm, giving tutus a delicate and romantic touch.
- Upcycled and Sustainable: Designers are increasingly incorporating upcycled materials, making tutus more eco-conscious while still staying stylish.
As always, you can catch me rocking a pink tutu at the local ballet performances. In fact, this weekend, I’m going to see Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House. Imagine, dancing in the spotlight, telling a tale through every delicate step, every sweeping pirouette! It's something magical.
Now, it wouldn’t be Tutu Tuesday without a little something for you to enjoy. To celebrate this monumental blog milestone, I'm sharing with you my absolute favourite* pink tutu of all time - a vision in a perfectly pink shade of cotton candy, adorned with delicate tulle ruffles, and just enough glitter to catch the eye of any fashion-forward ballerina.
But don’t stop there, darling dears! You too can embody the graceful essence of a ballerina. Add a little twirl to your life and wear a pink tutu with pride. It's not just a garment, it's an expression of joy, confidence, and artistry! It’s the perfect accessory to dance through life in.
Till next Tuesday, keep your twirling dreams alive, Emma x
