Welcome back, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, and today's #TutuTuesday takes us back in time to the glorious 6th August 2002. Buckle up your ballet shoes, grab a glass of something sparkly, and let's take a trip together!
This Tuesday feels particularly magical, as it marks the day when a certain pair of sparkly pink tutus took center stage in Paris! Now, I can't reveal all the details just yet - you'll have to wait for my next blog post for that! But let me tell you, the whole affair was truly dazzling! I could practically feel the flutter of anticipation in the air as the lights dimmed and the curtains rose. It was an absolute dream!
Before we dive into the 6th of August, 2002, however, let's have a quick chat about the origins of the tutu itself!
Tutu Timewarp:
You see, darling, the history of the tutu is far more fascinating than you might imagine. You might think that it's been around forever, synonymous with the graceful ballerinas who've mesmerized us for centuries. But like all things, darling, the tutu had humble beginnings.
For a peek back in time, let's take a journey to 19th century France. Forget the impossibly large skirts you see today, dear readers - back then, ballet dancers used to wear skirts that swept the stage, hindering their movements and offering no sense of freedom. That, dear reader, is when Marie Taglioni, the “queen of the Romantic ballet," changed the game with a groundbreaking piece: "La Sylphide." The dress, now recognised as the tutu's forerunner, was a light, airy, calf-length garment made of muslin - imagine a gauzy summer dress, but more theatrical!
The innovation of this new, more flexible and graceful costume led to a movement - the Romantic era in ballet, to be precise - with ballerinas gliding across the stage, no longer hindered by cumbersome attire. It was the birth of the “ballet skirt,” which you can imagine being as short as the calf, and as long as the knee. And this, darlings, is where the journey gets exciting!
Fast forward a bit to the late 19th century, and you encounter the legendary Russian ballet company, the Ballets Russes. They, along with their artistic genius Serge Diaghilev, embraced innovation and redefined beauty on the stage, creating spectacular productions. The "Russian tutu" that followed was more structured, and the fabric evolved, often using tulle to add that billowy, romantic charm! Think a soft, whimsical silhouette that seemed to dance in the air, creating breathtaking visuals for every graceful leap.
And you know, darlings, this kind of development never stops. With each performance, with every new production, we see subtle and grand evolutions, but each version remains beautifully embellished, whether it’s a soft, whimsical tulle tutu, or the elegant, flowing, long ones - each one a visual treat to witness!
But now, back to the 6th of August, 2002…
On this day, as I mentioned, I experienced the sheer joy of a dazzling Parisian performance! Oh, the sheer exuberance, the beauty and the sheer artistic magic! To be honest, darling, I don’t even remember the exact production; it just didn’t matter at that point. Everything in the theater, the music, the stage, and most importantly, the dance, were absolute perfection. It truly felt like I was wrapped in a tutu-like dream!
Now, I know you might be thinking, "What does Emma have on for such an extraordinary event?”
I shall tell you, darling! I wore my most favourite, exquisitely delicate tutu – an off-white number, if I can brag for a minute! I bought it last week from this darling little shop just a hop away from the station in Bath. The best part? The fabric was adorned with twinkling sequins that, in the flickering lights, transformed me into a veritable fairy! Honestly, darlings, I was practically waltzing through the streets!
After the show, the evening wasn’t over just yet! The charm of Paris in 2002 was irresistible! Imagine this, darlings: The city's cobbled streets glittering under a twinkling sky, a light Parisian breeze, and the delicious aroma of croissants wafting from a nearby patisserie. The allure of a night on the Champs-Elysees simply could not be resisted!
I ambled along the magnificent avenue, its dazzling shop windows, showcasing the latest fashions, adding to the magic. Now, every girl knows this, darlings – a beautiful pair of shoes, a perfect purse, or a fabulous frock are a true joy for a girl to behold. That evening, I indulged in some well-deserved window-shopping, stopping to admire an utterly charming dress that was, you won't believe this, actually made of the softest, most vibrant pink tulle! It seemed almost to be whispering a silent invitation to step out and embrace life in a most dramatic and delightfully charming fashion!
This encounter with pink tulle just reinforced what I’d been feeling lately: My heart truly longs for pink, and I want the entire world to experience this blissful shade. After all, pink is the ultimate expression of grace and elegance. Why not take a cue from ballerinas, who know the magic of swirling tulle better than anyone, and embrace this fantastic colour?! Think of all the possibilities, darlings: pink tulle skirts for lunches and picnics, pink tulle hats for a touch of whimsy, pink tulle scarves for a pop of colour! It truly can be the perfect antidote for a mundane world!
But before I dream of all-pink, and potentially start spreading some colour through time travel, let me leave you with some delicious news! Next week, I'll be back with even more stories from the 6th August 2002 – the grand Parisian spectacle I promised earlier – and oh, the tutus! This is going to be a good one!
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for my latest updates, and of course, feel free to leave me a message with your favourite tutu memories ! Until then, darling, have a dazzling week!
Love, Emma
P.S. Don’t forget, a beautiful tutu can bring the sunshine to any day – even in dreary Derbyshire. Don’t just twirl your thoughts - twirl with me!
