Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, bringing you another installment of #TutuTuesday: A Journey Through Ballet History! Itās such a beautiful day in Paris - the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked croissants, the sun is casting a warm glow over the charming cafes, and Iāve just enjoyed a delicious picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg (you simply cannot beat a picnic on a beautiful day like this)! Of course, I had to wear my most glamorous pink tutu for this outing - a vibrant shade of pink called ārose blushā to match the delicate flowers that adorned the Parisian gardens!
This week, Iāve travelled all the way back to 19 July 1898, and trust me, my dears, itās quite a change from the fashion we see today!
As you know, I adore all things tutu-related - itās practically an obsession. And my passion has led me on quite the adventure! Over the last few years, Iāve had the most splendid time hopping through time, discovering the fascinating evolution of the tutu.
And speaking of evolutionā¦ the year 1898 marks a truly interesting period in ballet history. This era, known as the Golden Age of Ballet, was bursting with vibrant life!
While our tutus today tend to be short and wispy, those donned by the ballerinas of this time were quite different! Think billowing tulle, voluminous shapes, and exquisite detailing!
A big part of the reason for this difference lies in the style of ballet itself. The ballerinas of this time danced with much more drama and fluidity. Imagine sweeping arabesques, elegant leaps, and mesmerizing spins - a true display of graceful artistry!
So, picture it: youāre in a magnificent theatre in Paris. The lights dim, the music starts to play, and on the stageā¦ a ballerina, her tutu a cloud of soft, layered tulle, takes a delicate, graceful step forward. You watch, captivated, as she moves with such fluid ease. She embodies the very essence of feminine beauty. Oh, how I wish I could step into this moment - a time where fashion and art intertwined to create pure magic!
But you know me, my darlings, I wouldnāt be true to my pink-tutu loving self if I didnāt give you a peek into whatās fashionable this very day in 1898!
You know, despite its grand history, the fashion scene wasnāt all sunshine and rainbows in 1898. Think restrictive corsets, impractical (but so pretty) hats, and long, flowing gowns ā all wonderfully dramatic and feminine. But we must say, for a dancer, comfort would be far down on the list of priorities!
However, we do see glimpses of the style and grace that were just starting to emerge, a reflection of the revolutionary ideas that would soon ripple through the ballet world. There was a budding focus on fluidity and movement, reflecting a change in choreography style that, my dear readers, would lead to the iconic tutus we know and love today!
Speaking of which, this weekās #TutuTuesday is also special because we get to talk about a little something called āLe Pavillon dāArmideā which is a one-act ballet - it premiered on July 19th, 1898! It's one of the jewels of this Golden Age! Just imagine all the vibrant costumes, the captivating dances and, oh, those incredible tutus! I dream of seeing it!
Let me tell you, I canāt wait to time travel to the next date on my list. I bet it will be another captivating step in the wonderful journey of the tutu, the true embodiment of grace, elegance, and yes, a little bit of pink magic!
Don't forget to join me next Tuesday for more ballet history adventures and don't be shy to share your tutu-related musings in the comments section! I adore reading about all your fashionable thoughts.
Until next time, stay pink, darlings! And if you can, grab yourself a tutu and let the world know that pink, indeed, is the color of happiness.
Love,
Emma, your time-traveling ballerina blogger, from www.pink-tutu.com
