Hello my dearest Tutu-lovers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! Today, we're hopping on the time machine and venturing back to the fin de siècle - November 20th, 1900 to be precise. I’m already feeling the excitement – I can just picture the bustle of London and the glamour of the theatre! Oh, and of course, I'm absolutely thrilled to be wearing my gorgeous pink silk tutu with hand-painted rosebuds and a dusting of shimmering sequins. Just the thing to make a statement, don’t you think?
This time travel thing can be a bit tiring, so I’m catching the train to London from my home in Derbyshire – all the better to get my sightseeing and shopping in! My itinerary is bursting with delights: first, a trip to Liberty's - their silk ribbons and beautiful fabric are simply divine, perfect for my tutu inspiration! I can imagine some lovely floral designs… maybe some lilies and a sprinkle of iridescent sequins for an extra touch of glamour.
But wait! Today’s not just about fashion – we’re about to be whisked away into the glorious world of ballet! 1900 marks a real turning point for dance, a pivotal year in the history of the ballet tutu! Why, you ask?
Well, imagine our delightful prima ballerina Anna Pavlova gliding across the stage! She's known as a true star - and she’s the one who’s truly going to make a statement with the tutu’s evolution!
You see, by the time we travel back to 1900, ballet has already shed the frills of the romantic period – think layers upon layers of tulle and more layers upon layers of tulle, the fuller the better, remember? – and embraced a more streamlined and athletic style. Pavlova, with her breathtaking leaps and captivating stage presence, became the epitome of this new, more elegant era of dance.
Now, imagine those swirling skirts that the ballerinas in 1900 wore. They weren't just clinging, but flowing, showing the graceful movement and strength of these remarkable dancers. No longer constricting, but highlighting their elegant physique! The skirt had shrunk down and became beautifully structured to compliment those wonderful, effortless arabesques. And the ballet world was completely captivated by this change – It brought a new focus to the dancer’s incredible physique, to her elegant moves, and it's going to transform the tutu’s image completely.
Just picture it! It’s not just the tutu; it’s the whole story – the romantic movement leading into something a little bit less fluffy, something sleek, something showing a graceful form - a little less layered and a lot more flow! It’s all about a new type of lightness and a modern kind of grace that everyone is falling for!
Pavlova isn’t the only revolutionary dancer that year. The brilliant Sergei Diaghilev brought “The Firebird” to the stage. What a vibrant spectacle, all feathers and glittering jewels! Talk about eye-catching! And what's so exciting, my lovely Tutu-lovers? The ballet was bursting with bold costumes, colourful patterns and of course - more than just a touch of fabulous tutu-tastic action. You just know that even if the Firebird is all flames and shimmering hues, it’s going to set hearts aflutter – I mean, it has been known to set wings aflame!
And all this brings us back to London! A trip to Covent Garden, my lovely, a must-do for anyone with an interest in the theatrical! Imagine yourself immersed in a magical night out, all the excitement and energy of London. I imagine it's simply buzzing! There’s something about Covent Garden that makes my heart beat faster – maybe it’s the dazzling lights, or the scent of perfume, the hushed excitement before the curtain rises. You’ll simply have to experience this amazing piece of history yourself!
I just can't resist a bit of shopping in London's vintage stores – I'm on the hunt for a vintage tutu to add to my collection. A beautiful piece of history with its own special story! I always try to imagine the women who owned it before, how they used it and what adventures they took on wearing their special tutu. The ballet and fashion world is bursting with memories – It’s so exciting to be able to add to those memories!
For this week’s Tutu Challenge, I dare you to get your tutu out and try some Firebird style movement. Add a bit of sparkle to it, be bold, try to channel some Pavlova-inspired movement, let your creativity fly and tell me what happens!
That's all from me for this week!
Remember, a pink tutu can take you anywhere, even back in time! Keep those twirls coming, my Tutu-loving darlings. Until next week, may your dreams be full of feathers and shimmering sparkles!
Happy #TutuTuesday!
Yours in tulle,
Emma 💕
