Hello, my darling tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, bringing you another peek into the glorious world of ballet history. As always, I'm wearing a vibrant shade of pink that's practically screaming "it's Tuesday!" and I'm absolutely ready to get swept away in the magic of tutus.
Today is the 23rd of April, 2024, and, my dears, I'm finding myself in Paris, the City of Lights and the beating heart of the ballet world. How could I not be here for the grand opening of the redesigned Opéra Garnier? Imagine, a refurbished architectural masterpiece dedicated to the art of dance! My inner ballerina is already doing a pirouette of excitement.
But before we delve into the enchanting world of Parisian ballet, let's travel back in time, shall we? Because as we all know, understanding the present means embracing the past.
A Whirlwind Tour of Tutu Time
Tutues are iconic, darling! It's pretty hard to imagine a ballet performance without a glimpse of those delicate, airy skirts twirling under the stage lights. But just as the steps of ballet have evolved over centuries, so has the humble tutu.
From The Romantic Era:
You see, the tutu's history began much like a dancer's career: in graceful, romantic beginnings. In the early 19th century, when the world was swept away by Romantic ballets like "La Sylphide" and "Giselle," dancers wanted something airy, lightweight, and flowing – a symbol of ethereal freedom. Enter the Romantic Tutu.
Imagine a dancer twirling in a dress that resembles a soft, layered cloud. Imagine delicate silk floating around their limbs, creating an impression of lightness and ethereal beauty. That was the Romantic Tutu. They were incredibly light, sometimes made of tulle with just a few layers, designed to show off the legs and highlight the graceful movement of the ballerinas. Think more flowing, less puffy.
A Classic Makeover:
But as the romantic period gave way to the later half of the 19th century, ballet started embracing a new direction: Classicism. In walked the Classical Tutu, darling! Shorter and stiffer than its predecessor, with a shorter, fuller skirt, it provided a much more defined, structured, and sculpted silhouette. It made a statement. Think of Marie Taglioni's famous 'La Sylphide' where she famously defied gravity and lifted into the air, her tulle floating like clouds – this new classical tutu could accommodate such incredible feats.
Think tutus, a tad puffier with tiers and ruffles of layers, mostly seen in the “Swan Lake” or “The Sleeping Beauty” for this dramatic era. They are more defined, giving that “ball gown” feel while keeping that delicate feminine beauty.
Enter The “Paklava” – or Should We Say, the “Tutu for All Occasions”:
The tutu didn't stay static, it kept evolving with the times! As we entered the 20th century, we see the rise of a versatile tutu: The “Paklava”. Now, we all love the Paklava – and its delicious history – but we’re talking about the Paklava tutu. Not quite as long as the Romantic Tutu, but a whole lot shorter than its classic counterpart, this new variation provided both the structure and the graceful flow needed for the evolving choreography and even the burgeoning world of contemporary ballet.
I imagine a graceful ballerina in the 20th century, pirouetting in this multi-layered, elegant creation, perfectly balancing flexibility and strength, the Paklava was all about balance – a symbol of versatility.
More Than Just Ballet:
Let’s not forget that tutus are not just for professional ballet dancers, dears! Tutus are everywhere! They've become a powerful symbol of imagination, creativity, and of course, utter fashionableness.
From elegant ballgowns to quirky everyday outfits, there’s a tutu out there for every occasion. I especially love to pair my vibrant pink tutu with my go-to leather jacket and knee-high boots. It's a bold look, it’s absolutely trendy, and it is entirely appropriate!
Just the other day, I saw a group of young girls in adorable tutus while strolling through the Champs-Élysées – they were enjoying a picnic, playing hopscotch, their tiny tutus twirling with every jump and skip. My heart absolutely melted. And why not? They were embodying joy and freedom. It reminded me that tutus can be anything you want them to be, an embodiment of joy.
Travel by Train
Now, my trip to Paris started with a leisurely journey through the English countryside. I love taking the train - especially in a stunning crimson dress (the train seats were awfully comfy) and with a beautiful bright pink tulle scarf tied around my neck (perfect for channeling the glamorous vintage vibe!) Watching the landscape flash past as we traveled, I realized that travel and the magic of ballet, especially the thrill of going to a big city to see a big performance, have always been interconnected. After all, the early ballet dancers toured the globe in their traveling companies!
Let's Celebrate
In a world that’s so focused on seriousness, tutus remind us that sometimes, it’s good to just twirl! In celebration of the opening of the redesigned Opéra Garnier, I’m dedicating this post to all my fellow tutu-lovers – let's spread the love of ballet and fashion, and let’s make the world a brighter place, one pink tutu at a time.
*Oh, and please, if you happen to be in Paris today, make sure you check out the exhibition at the Opéra Garnier celebrating the iconic tutus throughout history. Trust me, it's a visual treat! *
Until next time, my lovelies, remember to embrace your inner ballerina, twirl, smile, and enjoy life – one elegant pirouette at a time!
Emma xoxo
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #Paris #OperaGarnier #PinkTutu #Fashion #Dance #Travel #BalletLove
