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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1900-11-06

#TutuTuesday: A Trip Through Time! - Ballet Tutu History, 1900-11-06 - Post 3593!

Hello my dearest tutu-lovers! Itā€™s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-wearing time traveller! Welcome back to my Ballet Tutu History blog, where weā€™re dancing through the decades, exploring the fabulous evolution of the tutu ā€“ and sharing my love for this magical garment with the world.

Today weā€™re taking a delightful trip back to 1900, November 6th! Imagine ā€“ gaslights illuminating the cobbled streets, horsedrawn carriages clattering by, and a whiff of autumn in the air! Can you imagine anything more romantic?

Now, this date wasnā€™t particularly revolutionary in the ballet world, but that doesnā€™t mean it wasnā€™t bursting with enchanting stories! After all, in the early 1900s, ballet was a thriving art form, evolving at a thrilling pace! So, strap in your imaginary pointe shoes, let's jump into our time machine, and whisk ourselves back to a ballet world of yore!

From Derbyshire to the City of Lights!

It's a frosty Derbyshire morning, and Iā€™m all set for my performance. A crisp autumn breeze whispers through the trees as I arrive at the local theatre, the air tinged with the promise of a glorious night ahead.

Now, donā€™t let the quaint Derbyshire scene fool you ā€“ Iā€™m here to earn my train ticket! Today, Iā€™m off to Paris, a ballet fanaticā€™s paradise! Paris in 1900, can you even imagine the swirling elegance, the grand theatres, and the incredible clothes?

To be honest, the excitement alone nearly sent my tutus spinning! Iā€™m rocking a new, pink creation with lace trim and pearl embellishments ā€“ simply irresistible!

But what about tutus? Where were they at this pivotal time?

Well, theyā€™d already seen their fair share of drama, dear friends! Itā€™s actually thanks to La Sylphide ā€“ one of my absolute all-time favourites ā€“ that we owe much of the ballet tutu's form.

La Sylphide: The Dance That Defined a Style!

This ballet was the real game changer. Itā€™s an absolute masterpiece that really embraced the beauty of the ethereal! Picture it ā€“ sylphs flitting through a forest in an impossibly graceful waltz, swirling skirts revealing impossibly delicate feet! Thatā€™s where the ā€˜romanticā€™ tutu took its cues, ditching the frills and the bulky layering of earlier years, for a lighter, more graceful look, which highlighted every movement.

In 1900, the tutu was just getting into its stride, Itā€™s really the period where the graceful, bell-shaped silhouette truly came into its own! Think romantic swirling lines and intricate lace trims, showcasing the ballerinasā€™ artistry. The skirts were shorter than earlier styles, exposing the legs more and enhancing the dancers' flexibility. Imagine twirls that seem to defy gravity itself, and youā€™ll have a perfect picture of the era!

And as if that werenā€™t magical enough, you had the likes of Marius Petipa and Sergei Diaghilev revolutionizing the choreography. They werenā€™t afraid to break the rules! So, the ballerinas of the day were really hitting new heights of expression. And of course, no great performance can happen without beautiful music. Itā€™s an era full of lush waltzes, dreamy melodies ā€“ they really set the tone for everything, wouldnā€™t you say?

Shopping and Theatre in the City of Lights!

Fast forward, and weā€™re in Paris, the streets humming with energy, filled with the enchanting symphony of carriage wheels, clinking glasses, and the joyous chatter of passers-by. Oh, and the aroma! That incredible mix of pastries and perfume ā€“ truly intoxicating!

Before anything else, I need to go shopping! Imagine the beautiful fabrics, the exquisite laces! You can feel the passion behind every creation! From my time in Paris I've come back with a new blush pink satin skirt that perfectly suits the romantic period we are in.

Finally, I arrive at the Palais Garnier ā€“ a majestic building, oozing with grandeur! I have to pinch myself ā€“ this is what ballet dreams are made of!

Iā€™m off to the Opera, to see the legendary Marius Petipaā€™s ballet ā€œLa Esmeraldaā€, a tragic tale of love, deceit, and the enchanting rhythms of gypsy life. The swirling costumes, the heart-wrenching dance sequences ā€“ simply incredible! I couldnā€™t resist grabbing a quick sketch to inspire my own creations. Just look at those flowing movements! This is what inspires me, to create and share my love of the ballet!

Back Home Again ā€“ Inspired to Create!

Back in Derbyshire, my inspiration is flowing as fast as the local stream! Iā€™ve got enough ideas to last me through a hundred new tutu designs! Now thatā€™s the beauty of ballet, it always sets me on fire to create something new, to push boundaries, and to dream big.

Donā€™t you agree? Ballet has such incredible potential ā€“ it inspires, moves, and ignites our imaginations. I wouldnā€™t trade my pink tutus for all the diamonds in the world!

Next week, weā€™re travelling to the roaring twenties, a world of flappers, jazzy beats, and even more incredible tutus! But donā€™t just read about it! I want you to dance along!

Post a picture of your favourite tutu in the comments, and remember, my little ballerinas, wearing a pink tutu is always the right answer! Donā€™t forget to check in at www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday! Until then, happy dancing!

Emma x

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1900-11-06