#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1896-07-07

Hey darlings, it’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back for another enchanting #TutuTuesday journey! This week we're pirouetting our way back to 1896, just in time for the unveiling of a groundbreaking performance at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, a dazzling dance experience that changed the face of ballet forever!

The air buzzes with anticipation. The city is adorned with banners announcing a world premiere. Can you imagine? Imagine a world where there wasn't always a world of magnificent ballerinas, swirling in elegant tutus, with grand, glittering performances in breathtaking theaters?! 😱 It simply wouldn't be the same, darlings, so buckle up for a Tutu Time Warp that's guaranteed to leave you mesmerised!

Stepping back in time, it's remarkable how the evolution of ballet reflects the artistic tides of its era. 1896 marked the end of the Romantic Era of Ballet, characterised by ethereal storytelling, ethereal dances, and the beauty of a graceful tutu that symbolised flight, a perfect vision of innocence and enchantment. 🦢

Think Giselle (still a personal favourite, darlings!) which I absolutely adore with its ethereal story, but 1896 began to move toward more character-driven storylines. 💃 It’s the era of psychological ballets and the time when the role of dance as pure spectacle was taking centre stage! The tutus themselves began to take on bolder forms. Think lush, dramatic pannier dresses, giving the ballerinas a larger presence, making them the undisputed focus of every performance!

You’ll be thrilled to know that these are my favourite kinds of tutus, darlings, full and fluffy, making me feel like a princess as I dance the day away. They really bring that added element of fairytale magic, wouldn’t you agree? 🤩

Fashion, oh how I adore fashion, darling! It is a powerful force for expression! You’ll love hearing this: during this era, there was an explosion of fashion influences: a glamorous combination of classic styles that incorporated new trends, giving the look a romantic feel - think ruffles, lace, corsets, and luxurious silks! A truly whimsical style that perfectly mirrored the ballerinas’ performances, full of enchanting drama! 😍

This year is the peak of the Aesthetic Movement, where we are all embracing delicate beauty and rich, sensual, handcrafted elegance! Think luxurious, flowy silks and satins that are made with the finest detail, reflecting the opulence of the Victorian Era, my darling. All the pieces blend so harmoniously with each other - from lace trimming on petticoats, the elegant silhouette of corsetry and a palette of soft pastel colours and opulent gold hues, a magical symphony of style! 💖

The magic of 1896 unfolds on the 7th of July with the grand premiere of "La Source". I have to admit this story takes centre stage as an unforgettable piece. 💥

It is the perfect blend of romance, exquisite storytelling, and a breathtaking performance featuring renowned dancer Anna Pavlova, a ballerina of remarkable grace. The choreography is inspired by an old Spanish legend and explores love, passion, betrayal, and the beauty of forgiveness. A ballet full of emotions and incredible character! And don't forget the dazzling, multi-coloured, flowing gowns worn by the beautiful dancers that bring this emotional rollercoaster of a ballet to life! 😍 The use of costume as a tool for telling the story of "La Source" is brilliant, don't you think? 💖

Think of intricate patterns of colour, sparkling fabric and graceful details. A theatrical feast that perfectly captures the energy of the late 19th century! 🤩

### Tutu Travel Notes ✈️

It’s a journey across Europe I wouldn't miss, taking a train from Derbyshire, my quaint English village, to Brussels - oh the thrill of travel! I imagine myself settling in a luxurious, compartment on the train and taking in the views from the carriage window. It's all so beautifully magical, even the trains! 💕 I arrive in Brussels and soak up the ambiance and discover a world of breathtaking elegance and intricate detail - the very soul of the era! 💖 The atmosphere crackles with excitement. Imagine, darlings! It's all so breathtaking, a wonderful world to experience through my pink-tutu-clad eyes! ✨

If you were to see my vision of the era through my eyes, you would see elegant ladies, wearing the most amazing frocks in colours from a dreamy rainbow. Oh darling, I cannot wait for my next shopping trip, for this year we can embrace layers of fine fabrics in pastels, light creams, delicate lavender shades. 👛 I'm thinking layers of exquisite frills around the hemline of the skirt, an enchanting detail! I have been sketching a number of ideas that combine that 19th-century feel with the romanticism of the Romantic Era - with just a hint of pink! Imagine the magic of lace and embroidery and a tutu to grace the most special occasion - don't forget a stylish pink hat that complements a graceful ball gown - so fabulous! 👒

I also love to spot gentlemen and ladies embracing a world of beautiful embellishments: silk cravats, perfectly-tied ascots and lavish, embroidered gowns for ladies, all dressed with elegance and a romantic spirit that's positively magical, darlings. A world where fashion becomes a story told in layers of splendid silk and velvet - that's what we have here! 💫

I can't wait for the next ballet, darling, with a delicious blend of theatre and entertainment! I find it incredibly captivating that this era was so eager to see spectacles and plays, giving dancers even more opportunity to really create and enjoy stories told through movements and expressions, oh how remarkable! I am thinking of purchasing tickets to a performance this evening - an evening out that blends both elegance and entertainment! I plan to spend my afternoon window shopping, getting a few stylish outfits, all in pastel pink! I am then going to get dressed, head to the theatre with a beautiful bouquet of white and lavender roses, the most magical blooms to enjoy! 🌹

Until next Tuesday darlings, when I'll be bringing you even more stories of ballet's history and my latest adventures through time! 💕 Remember to keep on twirling in pink! 💖