Hello darlings! Itās Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing space traveller, and welcome to Pink Tutu World! This week, weāre back on dear old Planet Earth, where, believe it or not, even I sometimes get the urge to just relax and not be zooming across the cosmos.
Today is Wednesday, the 13th of April, 2016. Itās a bit overcast here in my home county of Derbyshire, England, which is just as well, really, because Iāve got a busy schedule! Itās one of those days when I can combine my love of dance and fashion, something I never get tired of doing, let me tell you.
A Day Filled with Pink Tutu Delights
First up, I'm starting the day with a quick ballet class. I don't think you're a true ballet enthusiast until you've had your morning pirouette, no matter where you are in the universe. Luckily, my local studio, āGraceful Stepsā, knows my penchant for a pink tutu, so they've been so kind as to put together a pink-themed class just for me. Weāre going through some variations from 'Giselle', with lots of ribbons, glitter, and, of course, the most glorious pink tutus! It's a good thing they have mirrors at this studio - I wouldn't want to miss out on all those lovely reflections, you know.
After my morning ballet class, I'm planning a quick pit stop at a gorgeous new boutique in town, āFlutter & Flourishā, they've promised to show me their latest collection of pink, feather-trimmed tutu tops. Oh, it's going to be a feast for the eyes, and of course, a shopping spree wouldnāt be complete without grabbing a new pair of pink, diamantĆ© ballet flats - my new āgo-toā shoes for intergalactic travel, let me tell you!
This evening, the real excitement starts! Thereās a fabulous ballet production of āThe Sleeping Beautyā at the Royal Opera House in London. And guess what? It's a brand new staging, with a stunning, very pink costume design, courtesy of the legendary Dame Vivien Westwood herself. Imagine it: ballet in pink tutus with a Westwood twist. The show will be utterly glorious and, Iāve already planned my perfect pink, vintage inspired, ballet-chic look! Itās a long drive to London, but oh, itāll be worth every mile!
Pink Tutus ā My Galactic Mission
You see, darlings, my mission in life is simple: to get everyone in the universe wearing a pink tutu! Sounds a bit frivolous, maybe, but believe me, it's not. Pink tutus are a symbol of hope, joy, and creativity, just like ballet itself.
Every time I don a pink tutu, I'm sending out a message: āBe yourself! Be fabulous! And dance your heart out!ā This is my ultimate goal, and let me tell you, my intergalactic travels have really been teaching me how diverse and magnificent our universe truly is.
So, as I flit through the galaxy, spreading a little pink tutu magic, it makes me think about the story of ballet itself, how it evolved from simple courtly dances to the intricate, beautiful art form we know today. Ballet, just like the tutu, has travelled the world, and with it, an infectious love of dance, creativity, and, of course, the colour pink!
Tutu History
And speaking of tutus, you simply canāt talk about the iconic piece of ballet clothing without a bit of a history lesson, darling. Do you know, it's believed the very first ballet tutus were made back in the 18th century! Those early ballerinas had a tough time! Their costumes were very simple and, dare I say, a little frumpy! There were tight-fitting bodices and layers and layers of fabric in their skirts, they were really designed to help dancers flow more gracefully and didn't even have the characteristic ātutuā look that we adore today! Imagine trying to execute a grand jetĆ© in that outfit!
Luckily, with each passing decade, the design and functionality of the ballet tutu evolved! The big break-through for us ballerinas came with the iconic Romantic Tutu in the mid-1800s, which was all about lightweight and delicate, with tiers of fabric and shorter skirts, and yes, a whole lot of beautiful tulle, perfect for the famous pas de bourrƩe movements that every Romantic era dancer had to master! I mean, darling, can you imagine that grace, those delicate poses in all those graceful layers? Truly the stuff of ballet legend, and what I like to call, "pink tutu paradise!"
It wasn't until the 19th century that the "tutu" got its own dedicated look, with the "Pagnol Tutu", named after the famous ballerina Marie Taglioni! Think long, tiered and super graceful, almost like a shimmering pink dream. Imagine this graceful, delicate, tulle wonder flowing around a dancerās every moveā¦ and yes, every ballerina knew they had to have a fabulous, pink tutu to showcase their grace and talent.
After this, the classic āClassical Tutu" (think black and fluffy) with the short, form-fitting silhouette that is known by ballet aficionados around the world became all the rage, which in itself started to inspire designers in their work! And Iāll tell you a secret: The Ballet tutu is no longer just about the elegance of dancing! There is a serious, intricate side to its design which allows a ballerina to use her body, strength, and movement, in an artful way that is simply breathtaking to watch, darling!
Pink Tutus Through the Ages
From the very beginning of its journey, the tutu has not just been an outfit, but a story of evolution, innovation, and grace. Even I, in all my space-travelling ways, have to say that ballet, and the tutu itself, are absolutely magical, wouldn't you agree?
In the grand, colourful tapestry of dance history, the tutu remains an integral part of the story of ballet itself, from the iconic designs of those iconic ballerinas like, Anna Pavlova, Margot Fonteyn, and the beautiful, always glamorous, Maya Plisetskaya, who truly were pioneers in pushing the boundaries of what a tutu could do. Even legendary designer, Coco Chanel had her own pink tutu! Can you imagine, darlings, a Coco Chanel tutu! And this is how it comes full circle for me.
And today, it continues to evolve, just as the dancers of today are evolving! With so many innovative designs from up and coming choreographers, the tutu is not only evolving, but it is now truly, truly, inspiring the very next generation of designers! The world of ballet is changing for the better, my darlings!
I've seen how the world of ballet is more accessible than ever, and, I am simply thrilled by how creative young ballet artists, particularly in fashion design, have taken this iconic and classic garment, the pink tutu, and redesigned it!
The tutu has been adopted by many different fashion designers who have interpreted the idea of the ballerina for their work! Look at Valentino, Vivienne Westwood, Dior, Karl Lagerfeld, or Chanel. Many iconic designs feature a tutu or its beautiful design in the shapes of their pieces, but for me, Iāll take the classic version any day of the week!
As the grand tutu travels, so does pink, the colour of joy and dreams. Ballet and pink tutus, they've both got that sparkle that just radiates through our galaxy! Iāve never seen a more powerful duo than these two together, just imagine them swirling in the dance, both creating joy, laughter, and yes, maybe even, just a little bit of pink-tutu magic!
My Planet Earth Style Tip of the Week
For all you lovely Pink Tutu World readers out there, remember to find your own inner tutu - whether itās rocking your favourite pink frock or throwing a playful flourish with a bright pink lipstick, just remember that wearing pink can bring a touch of confidence, a boost of self-expression, and just a dash of ballerina spirit to your day.
See you all next week for another exciting adventure! Remember to check back in on my pink tutu blog, at www.pink-tutu.com every Wednesday! I'll be posting a new blog about my latest pink-tutu escapades. And as always, darling, letās all aim to spread some pink-tutu magic into this big, beautiful world of ours. Happy dancing! xx
