Post number 10002
Hello lovelies! It’s your favourite time-travelling tutu-wearing ballerina Emma, and I'm bursting with excitement for today's #TutuTuesday!
September 5th? That’s just the ticket, because this Tuesday, I’m off to Paris. And what better place to chat about ballet history than the City of Lights, eh? My, what a whirl-wind of fabulous fashion the past century has brought to ballet. Tut-tut-totally chic!
But first, let’s hop aboard the Eurostar! Imagine, a sleek silver train whizzing me past fields, castles, and cute little towns… all the while, my mind is racing with the amazing ballet stories I’ll share with you. It’s like having a whole dressing room of fantastic outfits for ballet, waiting to be revealed!
And speaking of dressing, my favourite fashion find today? Why, a divine pair of cherry blossom pink ballet flats! Can’t get more Parisian, darling. They just scream 'bonjour' with their sassy little bow and sparkly charm. But of course, no ballerina outfit is complete without a statement tutu, right? Today, I’m twirling in a confection of tulle – think rose quartz, bubblegum pink, all the best shades of pretty. Because, honestly, life is too short to wear boring colours, isn't it?
A Blast From the Past
Today, let’s dip our toes into the glorious history of tutus. Did you know, the humble tutu came from a practical need? They first appeared around 1830s, when ballerinas had to get those long skirts out of their way. That’s right – it wasn't always about frills and fun!
Imagine dancing in layers of bulky silk and velvet – talk about a costume malfunction! Enter the Romantic ballet, a time of lighter, freer movement that favoured romantic stories. The shorter tutu was the perfect answer! This simple, revolutionary garment set ballerinas free, giving them graceful steps and stunning elegance.
My goodness, can you imagine? Ballet had gone from being a mere dance for royalty to a captivating art form embraced by the masses! Talk about a fashion revolution! And with that revolution came, of course, an explosion of colours, materials, and designs!
From the graceful swoops of the Romantic tutu to the bold shapes of the 20th century, tutus have been a story of evolution, passion, and sheer joy. And of course, no mention of Parisian fashion history is complete without the legendary La Danse, painted in 1907 by Edgar Degas. That little ballet dress? You bet it’s a tutu, a romantic ballerina’s dream, in the very heart of Parisian chic! It’s a perfect example of how tutus moved from simply functional garments to beautiful art.
And remember those layers I mentioned before? We owe those to Auguste Vestris, an incredibly talented 18th-century dancer who, while not exactly the 'king' of ballet, is credited with introducing the long-layered style of dressing. It may seem a strange twist, but those layers gave ballerinas the 'grand' feel of their roles.
Fast Forward to Tutu Heaven
Paris, oh Paris. You really are the centre of ballet’s world! From the Opéra Garnier’s glittering grandiosity to the charm of smaller theaters, every corner whispers tales of tutus, tut-tut-totally fantastic tutus! Just last night, I caught the Paris Opera Ballet performing Swan Lake. Oh my goodness, a symphony of swans, delicate movements, and of course, the iconic white tutus, a reminder that sometimes simplicity is all you need.
That iconic white tutu? Well, that's actually the most common type, favoured for its graceful, ethereal look. But a ballet wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without all the colours of the rainbow, would it? A whole rainbow of dazzling colours just adds so much excitement! And that’s what keeps the world of ballet constantly on its toes!
Every Tutu Tells a Story
Whether you’re admiring the classical grandeur of a Romantic tutu, or feeling the modern vibes of a Swan Lake tutu, every single one is a piece of history, a celebration of dance, and a reminder that style and art have always gone hand-in-hand!
Now, back to this fabulous French adventure. I’m off to visit the Palais Garnier, for an evening of captivating performances! And as I walk the streets of Paris, I can't help but notice everyone is in a great mood. It seems this city just radiates with fashion and good spirits, all year round. I have to say, after this visit I’m really starting to think that my pink tutu should go hand-in-hand with an embroidered berets and perhaps a small croissant to round things off… who am I kidding? Pink tutus with croissants all the way!
The Tutu That Started it All
Remember to follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuEmma! Don't forget to join me for more fabulous history on my website www.pink-tutu.com, and stay tuned for a fabulous fashion post on vintage ballet clothing! You can also share your stories with me - use #TutuTuesday, darling! I can’t wait to hear from you, and I'll see you all for my next post, next Tuesday! Until then, I’m off to have a whirlwind time, darling!
Your very pink and tutu-filled,
Emma x
