Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling ballerina, bringing you another installment of #TutuTuesday from my glamorous pink-tutu-clad travels! This week I'm bringing you straight from the heart of Paris, where the air hums with the enchanting music of ballet and the streets pulse with the magic of fashion. And wouldn't you know it, July 31st is a pretty special date for the ballet world - it's the birthday of the utterly fabulous Margot Fonteyn, a ballerina who graced the stage with elegance and passion like no other!
This Tuesday's tutu journey takes us back to the 19th century, specifically to the Parisian Opera House, the birthplace of the tutu as we know it today. Remember the picture-perfect puffy tutu, the epitome of ballerina grace? It was a revolutionary invention! Back then, ballerinas were restricted to long, cumbersome skirts, and it was this French ballet master, Marius Petipa, who spearheaded the movement for something much more flowing, freeing the ballerinas to display their graceful moves.
Imagine: the grandeur of the Opera House, the glittering chandeliers casting their warm glow on the stage, and amidst all the grandeur, this new, beautiful tutu. It revolutionised ballet. The tutu transformed not only how ballet was danced but also the image of the ballerina, and you can bet this was a hit with audiences! The whole scene - imagine it! It’s enough to make my inner ballerina pirouette!
Now, I may not have a time machine (though I dream of one, of course!) but a little trip down memory lane in the form of a well-curated vintage fashion shop will transport you right back to that era. You'll be practically inhaling the essence of elegance and history in that delicious Parisian air. Who knows, maybe even nab a vintage tutu, although I’d rather you purchase my favourite colour - pink, obviously! I've seen the most exquisite pieces tucked away in vintage stores – delicate lace, graceful swirls of silk, even the occasional touch of diamanté! It's just heavenly.
Speaking of heavenly, we're all gathered at the Paris Opera this Tuesday evening for the performance of "La Bayadère" with none other than the legendary Alina Cojocaru starring. This performance is legendary and everyone who is anyone in ballet is here - just wait till you hear the music, the exquisite costumes and the sheer athleticism of the ballerinas! I just know I’ll be swept away, the music and the movements - it's just magical.
The theatre is abuzz with anticipation. The air thrumming with the sound of dress shoes and elegant whispers, and then there’s the music, a powerful symphony that carries us to a faraway land, a story told without a single word - pure enchantment, the very definition of balletic magic! This is a treat, I'll be back on Friday with an in-depth post about it. Don’t forget to follow me on social media, dear reader, I'm sure I'll be sharing all about the spectacular performances with my 10 million followers!
Before I get swept up in the world of ballet, here are some interesting #TutuTuesday facts about our ballerina friend, Margot Fonteyn, the reason for celebrating on the 31st!
Margot Fonteyn, Queen of the Ballet:
- Born Margot Fontaine, in 1919 (not a tutu-clad toddler by any chance, dear reader - that's a silly image!).
- One of the most celebrated ballerinas of the 20th century, earning recognition for her beauty, elegance and impeccable technique.
- A legend in her time - she danced for almost 40 years! Talk about dedication!
- She’s credited with making a vital contribution to ballet's popularity and appeal in the post-war period, helping to usher in a new era of ballet appreciation for the world! You can bet I’m here for it.
You know I can’t leave without some tutu-inspired fashion advice! Here’s a fun little look I'm putting together inspired by Margot’s era and all the grandeur of Paris’s glamorous Opera House - it’s going to be so Parisian.
- I'm going for a stunningly sophisticated look. It's a classic combination: a little black dress, perfectly fitted and just a tad dramatic! You know what they say about black and pink!
- But the pièce de résistance - my beautiful, delicate, slightly sparkly tulle skirt - think pink but maybe a deeper colour like dusky pink or blush pink, all perfect for giving an air of romanticism.
- Pair it with a pair of fabulous heels, a little pearl necklace (because we all need a touch of sparkle, darling!), and let's be honest, a fabulous handbag that is simply overflowing with Parisian chic, of course!
- The touch of the ballerina? Why, a ballerina bun - easy, classy, perfect.
Now, I can hear you asking: “But Emma, is there even a chance we could actually see a show like La Bayadère?”. Why, yes my dears! And this is where I bring you back to the present - in London, of course! You can always enjoy a ballet show at London's Royal Opera House. It’s a splendid performance with beautifully designed scenery and costuming - definitely an evening of sheer brilliance! You know me - a lover of the big stage and grand entrances - that’s me in my element. I have it all - pink tutus, ballets, vintage fashion and a trip through time - oh my!
So, remember, darlings! This is your call to embrace your inner ballerina. We need to fill the world with the joyous swish of pink tutus! After all, if there’s ever a time for a little grace and elegance, well, it’s always tutu time.
See you all next Tuesday for a new edition of #TutuTuesday. I'll have plenty of tutu-tastic adventures to share then, because in the world of pink tutus, life is always full of surprises!
