Hello my lovely Tutu-ites! Emma here, your time-travelling, pink tutu-wearing guide to the history of ballet. This week, we're stepping back into the golden age of the fin de siècle and waltzing into 24th July 1900. Get ready to twirl through some fascinating fashion and the delightful development of tutus!
It's a scorching Tuesday, perfect for a breezy ballet performance, don't you think? As I write this from a quaint café in Paris, the scent of freshly baked pastries mingling with the notes of a lively street performer's violin, I can't help but feel transported back to the era of shimmering gowns, top hats, and an air of excitement in the very air!
Now, back in 1900, a tutu wasn't quite the iconic piece of attire it is today. They were still evolving, you see! At the time, we'd find variations of the romantic tutu – think full-length, gauzy layers that were just starting to be shortened, offering glimpses of elegant legs. You could say this was the dawn of the tutu transformation, paving the way for the more athletic, shorter tutus we see today. Imagine! All those lovely tulle layers swishing with every plié and pirouette!
On this day, back in 1900, you might have caught a performance by the great, Isadora Duncan, who was revolutionizing the ballet world with her expressive dance, free from the rigid structure of classical ballet. Imagine, a ballerina without a tutu! Scandalous! (But I admire her free spirit.) Isadora would inspire a wave of contemporary dance in years to come, paving the way for modern movement and pushing the boundaries of expression in ballet.
You wouldn't have seen Les Sylphides, my all-time favourite ballet, staged on 24th July 1900 – it wasn't premiered until 1909. It was The Sleeping Beauty that captivated audiences, set to Tchaikovsky's magical music.
But you see, dear readers, in 1900, the world was in the throes of change. Technology was booming, and with that, came the development of new materials for costume design! Silk, tulle, and lace were becoming more readily available, transforming ballet fashion into a kaleidoscope of shimmering colour and breathtaking beauty. It was like a magnificent explosion of creative artistry in the world of the stage!
If I was back in that glorious year, you’d find me perusing the bustling shops along the Champs-Élysées. The window displays, dazzling with lace and sequins, would have me swooning. Just imagine a shop called “Le Tutu Rose”! Now that’s my dream come true!
Oh, the excitement of browsing for exquisite silks and lace, choosing a charming, feminine, bon-ton outfit! I just know I would’ve made a statement in the city, a fashionable silhouette fluttering along with my fellow ballet enthusiasts, my pink tutu swirling in the afternoon light, ready to twirl my way through a ballet performance. I might even get on a steam train and take a trip to the seaside, where the pink tutu might just make its way onto the sand, twirling among the seaside promenades. I am all for bringing the fun of ballet everywhere!
Did you know? That a few years later, in 1909, we see the birth of the famous pas de deux in the Ballet Russes production of "The Firebird" by Igor Stravinsky? I still have my ticket stub! You see, dear Tutu-ites, ballet is a continuous dance of transformation.
Every week, we'll embark on another Tutu Tuesday adventure, delving deeper into the fascinating world of ballet's past. Don’t forget to join me at www.pink-tutu.com, my online haven for all things tutus. If you love the history of the ballet world and think tutus are an art form as amazing as any masterpiece, then my pink-tutu website is for you. You'll find everything from my tips on finding vintage tutus to the latest ballet happenings. It's like a secret society for Tutu-lovers, a virtual fashion-dance haven for all who love the history of dance and embrace the exquisite art of the tutu!
Remember, dear readers, in this vibrant world, every day is a chance to add a touch of grace and elegance to your life. It's all about wearing your heart on your sleeve - or should I say, your tutu on your hips! And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, someday we'll see a whole world twirling in tutus!
Until next week, my Tutu-ites, may your life be full of graceful movements and beautiful experiences.
Au revoir,
Emma,
Your Pink Tutu-Loving Time Traveller
