Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another trip down memory lane. Today we're whisking ourselves back to 14th August, 1894, a time when ballet tutus were in full bloom, like a fragrant garden of silk and tulle.
Imagine it: the air thick with anticipation, a hush descends upon the packed theatre, and then… the music starts. From my vantage point in the plush red velvet seats, I can already see the flutter of the dancers' tulle, the delicate movement of their limbs. They're ethereal, weightless, almost like figures from a dream, all thanks to the very fabric we celebrate on TutuTuesday!
But what exactly were these tutus like in 1894? Think "Romantic tutu," a style that blossomed in the late 19th century, and became a staple for the dancers of this era. This was the era of graceful, lyrical choreography, and the tutu perfectly reflected this style.
Gone were the stiff, bell-shaped tutus of the previous decades. Instead, these romantic tutus were softer, lighter, and billowing. Made from several layers of delicate tulle, they swirled and twirled beautifully, accentuating the elegance of the ballerina's movements. This was the era of romanticism, and these tutus helped capture its essence.
I find it fascinating that the tutus themselves weren't just about beauty, they were functional! Imagine dancing without the freedom of movement they provided, it would be like trying to do a triple pirouette in a stiff, heavy skirt! These tutus were a revolution!
Now, as for where I'm currently standing, I'm in Paris, darling! The heart of the ballet world. The Opera Garnier is buzzing with life. Today’s show, *"Giselle," * has the audience completely entranced. The Romantic tutus worn by the ballerinas, so full and soft, are like billowing clouds, capturing every subtle movement, every nuance of their emotion. The tutus were definitely the star of the show!
Speaking of stars, one ballerina stands out from the rest – the incomparable La Belle Otero. This fiery beauty was all about Parisian flair, captivating the city's imagination. Her fiery, independent spirit inspired many, but the true queen of ballet in Paris is undoubtedly Anna Pavlova. I was fortunate to see her perform a few years ago and, darling, I tell you, she was simply divine! Her mastery of ballet was unparalleled, her every move an inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration, I’m getting some new ideas for the next TutuTuesday, perhaps we’ll dive deeper into the world of "Giselle"! Oh, the sheer beauty of ballet – it makes me yearn for the elegant days of old, the era of Romantic tutus! But you know, even though I'm absolutely smitten with the tutus of this period, there’s a certain modern-day swagger I appreciate about the styles today! After all, a little pink tutu never hurt anyone, did it?
Speaking of tutus... My lovely Derbyshire friends! Are you planning on attending the upcoming ballet performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden? It’s the grandest, most elegant ballet experience you can have right here in England, and the best part is, you get to see those incredible tutus! Maybe even a tutu similar to the ones worn by ballerinas like La Belle Otero and Pavlova! Don’t miss out on the glamour of it all.
You can even join the #pink-tutu movement! It's simple: wear a pink tutu anywhere you go! Think ballet classes, a shopping spree, even on your next train ride to London! I’ve seen so many fab pictures of my fellow TutuTuesday fans around the world wearing pink tutus and having a grand old time. It’s so inspiring to see the community we’ve created!
Before I hop back to my own time, I'll leave you with this thought:
Tutus are a magical invention, they capture the spirit of dance and bring it to life. So let's keep dancing, let's keep wearing tutus, and let's keep dreaming!
Until next week, my dearest pink-tutu lovers, remember: "The world is your stage!"
Much love,
Emma
P.S. Remember to keep checking www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for another thrilling journey through Ballet Tutu History! I can’t wait to share the next adventure with you. And don’t forget, every Tuesday is TutuTuesday! Let's make it a movement!
