Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things tutu! It’s a gorgeous Tuesday, the sun is shining (and you know how much I adore sunshine! It’s the perfect colour for a pink tutu!), and that means it's time for another delve into the wonderful world of tutu history!
This week, my lovely time-traveling adventures have taken me all the way back to 1897! Buckle your metaphorical dancing shoes, darlings, as we go on a whimsical trip back to a time when ballet was blossoming in a flurry of flounces and tutus were just beginning to take center stage!
I've been spending the past few weeks flitting about in my pink tutu, soaking up the grandeur and the artistry of this incredible era. The theatres are abuzz, overflowing with the whispers of silk and the sound of applause! You just have to imagine the elegance, my dears. Picture this: a bustling Parisian salon, filled with beautiful ladies in lavish gowns, their elegant figures accentuated by a swish of silken fabric. And amidst it all, our heroines! Delicate figures with the most enchanting faces, pirouetting in their exquisite costumes. Can you see the glint of satin under the stage lights, catching the eyes of the captivated audience? It’s absolutely captivating, my dears!
And oh! Speaking of costumes, what's more captivating than a tutu? This era saw tutus become an even more vital part of the dancer’s attire, starting to take on that truly iconic look that we know and love. Before 1897, dancers were more accustomed to elaborate, knee-length skirts, almost like little ballerinas with a whole lot of fabric. However, as the stage evolved, so did the attire! These earlier, cumbersome costumes gave way to the tutus we recognize today, the classic shorter, fuller skirt that highlighted the graceful line of a dancer’s leg. A breathtaking vision indeed!
I know, my darlings, I know - this era of fashion is so wonderfully timeless, right? Imagine a timeless tutu! It truly has staying power and captures the elegant grace of the dance, which is truly magical.
Today, as I meander through the bustling streets of London (I had a rather grand time boarding the train earlier this week from Derbyshire - such exquisite views!) - I just can’t help but be completely taken by the sense of wonder I’ve found here in this captivating time period. Every building seems to have a history to tell. Every street seems to be alive with music and laughter, with people getting ready for an exciting ballet performance later tonight at Covent Garden, London! Just you wait for it - the scene will be electric, simply electric!
I couldn’t resist a little retail therapy earlier today. Such an abundance of beautiful hats! It is difficult to decide on my perfect pink hat to wear tonight to the show! I think a stunning rose pink pillbox would be perfect for my darling pink tutu! So very fitting! There were just so many lovely feather boas, and the selection of floral corsages had me dreaming of Spring in an instant! Honestly, you can never have too many accessories! The excitement for tonight’s show is palpable, a tangible sense of magic hanging in the air. You can practically hear the music of the ballet dancers already!
As for today, well, let's take a little look at what went on in the world of ballet and the world in general!
1897 – A Whirlwind Year of Wonderful Ballet
On November 30th 1897, it was just another day of beautiful dancing and amazing tutu’s, and to be honest, I am truly excited about all the shows that were showing - and still are!
Remember our legendary Russian prima ballerina, Anna Pavlova? Well, she’s captivating the Parisian stage, and even the world! (Yes, her time traveling fame is truly something to be admired!). I was fortunate enough to see one of her amazing shows! You can almost feel the love in the room, the way she connects with the audience is simply amazing! She’s considered to be one of the most innovative ballerinas of all time! In fact, the way she danced with an airy and almost weightless movement is absolutely incredible! If only I had that kind of talent!
While the whole world is enjoying Pavlova, back in Russia, the ballet scene was also abuzz! One of my all-time favorite choreographers, Sergei Diaghilev, has taken over the reigns of the Russian Imperial Ballet. A brilliant choreographer, full of visionary ideas and exciting innovative approaches, his legacy truly shows us the amazing strides that ballet had made and will continue to make in the years to come. Can’t wait to go see his amazing work again tonight at the Covent Garden Theatre.
As for other big news from the world, let’s look at other captivating happenings around the globe in 1897!
- The great American entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller had his most fabulous year in business and became the first ever billionaire! Well done, John, all those hours working for that brilliant feat! Imagine how much pink tutus you could buy, it’s absolutely ridiculous! I bet his dancing skills must be amazing!
- That incredible, famous French designer, Paul Poiret, has a ground-breaking new design exhibition! Just imagine a showcase of fabulous, cutting edge creations that are changing the way we dress, with some amazing influences of his love of eastern style. I would have loved to have seen the amazing artistry on show!
- I can't believe it’s actually been over two years since Queen Victoria lost her darling husband Albert, Prince Albert. He truly was one of a kind! You could truly see how devoted to one another they were! He truly would be beaming over all the brilliant creative works and progress made throughout the world!
Well, my lovely tutus! It seems we are just about out of time for our historical jaunt! What a grand adventure this has been. But don't you worry! I’ll be back next Tuesday with more #TutuTuesday blog posts - and of course I’ll let you know all about the sensational show at Covent Garden!
Until next time, keep on twirling and dreaming! And if you see a girl in a pink tutu at Covent Garden tonight, come and say hello! (I may just give you a little swirl for good measure! Just don’t forget the pink feathers – the most adorable accent for a perfect tutu!)
Yours in Pink,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
