Hello my darling tutus! It’s Tuesday again and time for another trip back in time with my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. I'm Emma, your tutu-loving time traveler from Derbyshire, and I'm thrilled to be taking you on this whimsical adventure with me!
Today's date is 12th November, 1901. This week, our journey whisks us to the very heart of where the magic of ballet was in full swing - Paris, darling! The City of Lights! And let's face it, wouldn't life just be a whole lot brighter if everything glittered like a chandelier at the Paris Opera? Just saying... 😉
So, darling, what's on the menu for ballet today, you ask?
The Opéra Garnier: The magnificent Parisian opera house, a monument of beauty and architectural grandeur, was alive with music and dance! This is where the crème de la crème of the ballet world came to showcase their art! I bet the ladies in the audience were just dying to steal some of the style of the prima ballerinas. Speaking of the ballerinas…
The tutu: This year, the tutus at the Opera were quite short! It was an era where leg line and form were prized! The tutus were airy and billowy, made from multiple layers of tulle, embellished with feathers, and sometimes even covered in glitter - pure theatrical glam! Oh, my darling, can you imagine?
The Ballet World: A whole other world, my loves, was being created with a tutu as the central piece. And in 1901, this beautiful garment had really made its mark. It was becoming a part of a world where everything about the ballet mattered, from the artistry of the dancer's footwork and technique to the story told through the graceful movement. And speaking of artistry, my friends! This year brought a new, more dynamic style of dance! Ballet was really beginning to blossom in Europe and Russia at this time. New, longer and more intricate ballets began to emerge, such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty – now, who could forget those iconic, elegant moves! Such romance, so beautifully expressed!
Shopping Spree Time: My darlings, did I mention I am going shopping today?! Parisian shops were overflowing with stylish creations to capture this new theatrical era! Gorgeous, frilly lingerie and fancy outfits with intricate embellishments that echoed the elegance of the tutus on stage were all the rage! Just imagine how decadent this must have all been! The excitement of choosing that perfect outfit to complement my tutu would be an unforgettable experience.
What else was going on in 1901? Well, my sweet lovelies, on November 12, 1901, something very exciting happened. *A magnificent railway station was being unveiled – *Gare du Nord. ** It was meant to showcase elegance and modern technology - I just loved train travel back then, with my own specially designed luggage bag made especially for carrying my precious tutus - we were definitely a team, travelling together around the world, making a statement about ballet wherever we went! And, just think about all the adventures waiting to be had by train. What an amazing year!
*But for me, it all comes back to the ballet. It’s about more than just a costume – it’s about self-expression, creativity, and a touch of magic. * And my dear friends, this week we are in Paris, and wouldn’t that be such a dream, to step into a balletic world? Imagine the breathtaking grace and beauty! If you've got a dream, darling, go for it! Let's put our own twinkle on the world, one pink tutu at a time. 😉
So, what are your plans this Tuesday? Will you embrace a bit of pink? Perhaps slip on a sparkly tutu and add a touch of magic to your day? Tell me all about it in the comments!
Stay gorgeous and remember, the only limit is your own imagination!
*Love and Tutus, *
Emma
P.S. Keep checking back on www.pink-tutu.com, darling, and follow my tutu-ful journey on social media. It’s a joy to share it all with you!
And let's keep those tutus spinning! 💕
