Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another magical Tuesday filled with pink tulle and swirling history. It's Emma here, your trusty time-traveling tutu-phile, and I'm positively giddy to be back in your virtual dressing room!
Today, my time machine has whisked me away to a fascinating date - August 13th, 2024. The world seems to be in a state of excitement! My friend and fellow ballerina, Amelia, back in my Derbyshire hometown, sent me a postcard describing a phenomenal street ballet performance featuring a dazzling display of pink tutus, all inspired by the new "Swan Lake" film that's just been released. Amelia says it was incredible – people danced along, even the local pub owner, Mr. Pickles, joined in with a twirl or two! How fab!
So, where am I in 2024 you ask? Well, it's Paris, naturally! The City of Lights is just the perfect spot for a little Tutu Tuesday exploration, especially in August when the city seems to pulse with life and Parisian style. The Eiffel Tower is bathed in a romantic golden light, the scent of croissants fills the air, and everyone seems to be radiating that "je ne sais quoi". Even the street dogs look stylish with their tiny bandanas and sparkly leads. But, let's get back to our story, which involves more tulle than you could ever imagine.
As I twirled around the city in my (naturally pink) tulle creation, I bumped into a delightful elderly lady at a quaint cafe. Over steaming cups of "chocolat chaud", she shared fascinating stories about the history of the tutu. Imagine my delight!
You see, she'd heard it all - about Marie Taglioni, the legendary ballerina who first donned the iconic "Romantic tutu" way back in the 1830s. That's when ballet started getting a bit lighter and more airy. She explained how these earlier tutus were less bulky and more like graceful, flowing dresses. Think delicate tulle with layers of crinoline just below the knee, and not a hoop skirt in sight!
A Tutu Timeline
Let’s hop back in the time machine a bit more!
*The Beginning: *
I can't go back to a world before the tutu, but imagine it. Imagine ballerinas in cumbersome long skirts! It's almost unimaginable in this day and age where graceful movement and the play of light are crucial parts of a performance.
*The Romantic Tutu: *
We all have that "first love," and the Romantic tutu is the first love of ballet, creating a whirlwind of change for both costumes and movement! This revolutionary tutu allowed for flowing and free movement, creating the elegance we see today. Think light as a feather and delicate, showing off ballerina's legs and movement in a beautiful way. It was the first time we saw dancers soaring through the air!
*The "Short" Tutu: *
Fast forward to the late 1800s, and here comes the iconic *"short tutu." * This iconic style really embraced the ballerina's legs, revealing more than before. This dramatic, "short" silhouette allowed for an exciting explosion of technique and jumps!
*The “Bell” Tutu: * This variation came about in the early 1900s with an amazing use of tulle layers creating an incredibly dramatic shape! Just imagine a skirt like a flower bell creating a gorgeous bell shape on stage! It added incredible dimension and movement, showing off a ballerina's physique and power to perfection.
A Touch of Pink:
My Paris adventures didn’t just end at the cafe, though. Later that afternoon, I waltzed down the famed Champs-Élysées, a pink tutu of course. You know what they say, "If you want to be noticed in Paris, wear pink!" I found myself in front of the famous Galeries Lafayette - a true fashionista paradise! You know what else is trendy? You guessed it! Pink, pink, pink! It seemed every store, window display, and shopfront boasted shades of pink. It was pink overload in the most glorious way! The staff even offered me free pink tea!
From dainty dresses to elegant handbags, the stores showcased all kinds of amazing pink fashion. There was even a dedicated area devoted entirely to…you guessed it…pink tutus! It was pure tutu heaven! With silk ribbons, dazzling beads, and a symphony of soft pink tulle. Honestly, it was an experience fit for a princess (or a tutu-loving time-traveller).
My friend and fellow tutu-phile, Margot, once said that pink is the colour of happiness and laughter. She was a visionary and I know her perfectly - if she could travel through time with me today, we’d be waltzing into those Galeries Lafayette doors in pink tutus, twirling until we’re giddy.
But enough of Paris!
Tutu Tuesday Challenge:
We've covered a whirlwind of history today, so I have a challenge for you! What's the pinkest fashion statement you can think of from 2024? Is it a vintage piece? A new, contemporary designer outfit? Let me know! Tag me with #PinkTutuChallenge, I’ll be sharing the most fabulous pink-tastic entries in next week's blog post!
And remember, no matter what time period we’re discussing, tutus always remain iconic! They are an absolute must for anyone looking for a whimsical and romantic statement piece. Let’s continue to celebrate tutus with a whirlwind of elegance, grace, and maybe even a touch of sparkle!
Keep twirling!
Love,
Emma
xxx
