Bonjour from Paris!
It's a blustery Tuesday here in the City of Lights, and as usual, I'm twirling into the week in my favourite pink tutu. Did you know today, February 10th, 2009, is the day that my very first Parisian ballet show took place? The OpƩra Garnier - pure magic! I swear, the building itself is a storybook fairytale.
So, before we take a spin into this week's #TutuTuesday dive into ballet tutu history, let's grab a macaron from LadurƩe (you simply HAVE to try their rose macarons - divine!), and let me tell you about my adventures.
This past week has been pure Parisian delight. I managed to snag a seat at the ballet. You won't believe this - it was "Giselle"! What a performance! It was everything you could wish for - a timeless classic, the sheer skill of the dancers, the opulent costumes and of course, the breathtaking choreography! Every moment just felt like an elegant dance with the city itself.
Afterward, I treated myself to some shopping - what a fantastic day. Who can resist a little retail therapy? But seriously, this city is a paradise for clothes! And naturally, it wouldn't be a true shopping trip without some gorgeous new additions to my tutu collection! Think luxurious lace, silk so smooth you could cry, and oh my, I found the most divine feather boa for my next big event! (More about that later - just let me tell you, youāll be squealing with joy when you see it!)
Of course, all this sightseeing and shopping makes for a bit of a busy schedule. And honestly, who needs to be stuck in traffic when you can travel like a proper ballerina? This week I took the train - what a delight! Watching the scenery go by as I read through the latest ballet magazines, the whole experience feels almost magical! The romance of the train, coupled with the comfort of a soft pink tulle, makes the whole journey a pleasure. And the bonus is, the train even makes my twirling extra glamorous! (That's right - I'm twirling while I ride!)
And speaking of romance and magical journeys, let's journey back to the world of ballet tutu history! This week weāre going back to a classic tale about an early, almost legendary ballerinaā¦
The Early Ballerina's Tutu: The Romantic EraBack in the romantic era, which kicked off around the 1830s, the world of ballet was taking on a new dimension - just like those shimmering sequins on my tutu! The story starts with a Parisian dancer called Marie Taglioni, who literally revolutionised what a dancer wore onstage. Imagine the beautiful tulle in my pink tutuā¦ except think it's floor-length, almost like a dress. Well, that's what dancers wore back then - heavy fabrics and big skirts, making the choreography, well, kind of awkward and clunky! Imagine waltzing in that outfit!
But then, Marie decided to switch it up! She said, āWeāve had enough of this!ā And voila, she chose to wear a simple skirt that reached only to her ankles, revealing the legs for the first time, and making dancing a whole lot easier! She also made the costume light and airy - imagine itā¦ airy, breezy, and moving like the wind!
That's when the first ballet tutus were born.
And let me tell you, this wasnāt just a change in wardrobe - this was a REVOLUTION in ballet history! It allowed ballerinas to move more freely and with so much more grace, leading to new styles and movements we still admire today. Ballet, as a form, really started to bloom. The ballet tutu became iconic and symbolic of the ballet world, showcasing the ballerinasā grace, agility, and artistry in a way never seen before. It literally put ballet on the world stage!
But here's the kicker - the classic tutu, which most people think of as the āstandard,ā that pretty skirt, the very definition of tutudom - that only arrived much later!
And now, for some exciting news! Remember how I mentioned that special feather boa? Iām finally unveiling my Parisian Ballerina's Fashion Challenge! This year, I'm challenging you to embrace the magical world of tutus! And yes, you read that right - even if you've never taken a ballet class in your life, or if you've just always wanted to channel your inner ballerina - it's time to embrace your tutu spirit!
My #PinkTutuChallenge:My mission is to get everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu! Sounds crazy? Not at all! This year, I'll be showcasing pink tutus in all their glory through #PinkTutuChallenge, encouraging all of you to wear a tutu, or maybe even just some pink in your wardrobe, to celebrate this amazing dancewear symbol. Share your tutu adventures with me! We're going to have so much fun sharing our love of tutus!
How to join #PinkTutuChallenge:
- Dress up in a tutu - It doesnāt need to be fancy or even pink (but that would be divine)! Just have fun and embrace your inner ballerina.
- Snap a selfie! Whether it's in front of your home, at your local park, or even while sipping on tea, show us how you're rockin' your tutu!
- Share your selfie online! Post it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and use the hashtags #PinkTutuChallenge and #TutuTuesday so everyone can see how much fun weāre having!
Iām so excited to see all your lovely tutu-themed adventures, especially after you learn more about their history. After all, I just know it will inspire you! So, why wait? Dive into your wardrobe, embrace your inner ballerina, and show off your fabulous tutu spirit! We canāt wait to see you on our #PinkTutuChallenge adventure!
And with that, I'm going to twirl out and see what the beautiful streets of Paris have in store for me this week!
Don't forget, every Tuesday I'll be diving into the world of #TutuTuesday - from iconic tutu moments, the latest in fashion, to the behind-the-scenes secrets of the ballet world! Until next Tuesday, keep twirling, darling!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
