Hello my gorgeous ballet-loving darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It’s your favourite Tuesday again, which means we’re going to be taking a little trip back in time – a tutu-rific one, naturally! Today, we're waltzing into December 22nd, 1903. I know, right? It's a bit of a historical treasure, isn't it? Especially considering it's exactly 120 years ago today that… well, hang on, let's put on our dancing shoes and travel to that exact date, shall we?
My beautiful Derbyshire town looks absolutely magical, covered in a dusting of snow, but the chill in the air is banished by the warm glow of the streetlights and the chatter of people rushing towards the theatres for an evening of balletic delight. Can you imagine the excitement, my lovelies? A ballet performance is the social event of the season, and I can't wait to get myself all dolled up in my very own creation, a silk pink masterpiece of frills and tulle – naturally!
You know, there’s this strange thing in 1903 – tutus aren't really the centrepiece of a ballerina’s look yet. But let’s be honest, the dance world has so much in store. They still love those layered, romantic dresses, the long trains, the fluttery chiffon, all meticulously adorned with sequins and pearls, that you know the ballerina feels just like a real-life fairy! It's like a little secret of our time - the beauty of the tulle is just around the corner! But, oh darling, don't let me get ahead of myself!
Speaking of fashion, just look at this street! Every lady on the street has their unique flair. The fashions here in 1903 are positively captivating, think sweeping skirts, corsets, and bonnets! It’s a whirlwind of intricate hats, long gloves, and oh those exquisite parasols – you just know a fashionista like myself can't resist.
But let's not forget why we're here! The real reason we've landed in this beautiful world is to experience the joy of the ballet. Today, we're stepping into the world of Anna Pavlova. Can you believe it? Her star is still rising, and you just know she’s absolutely captivating audiences all over Europe. They are talking about this ballerina - La Diva del Ballet – in hushed whispers as I stroll through the busy Parisian streets! The excitement here is palpable – and I’m about to slip into the Opéra Garnier for a magnificent evening! I just hope I have a place to sit with my favourite fluffy pink boa – it would be catastrophic to have to sit beside someone with a bad case of “bad posture!” Gulp.
Now, on to something I'm particularly fond of! In 1903, fashion for dancers was a little different, even for ballerinas. The traditional ballet costumes - all in glorious white, made for ease of movement – started evolving. It wasn't long until la danse became a real showcase of artistic fashion. And, to tell you the truth, the beautiful shapes the Danseuses had to create were the absolute reason why the ballet took hold on a global scale. *Just look at what happened to that gorgeous dancer, La Pavlova! * She inspired such artistic dance pieces – a ballet revolution! A real inspiration for me, and I hope for all of you as well.
Oh, darling! As you know, ballet isn't only the performance. We love ballet street, we love the ballet shows in all the grand halls – don’t forget the tea dances, the workshops… you just can’t get away from it in this beautiful time, and the 1900s, well, that was a special time!
Right now, I'm having such a fun time exploring Paris - after all, no trip in the past is complete without a stop in Paris! Vive La France ! They've been at the top of their game for ages, you know? You’d find these wonderful grand venues, filled with beautiful women and gentlemen. But in those salons – my dear - what was considered "good style" would often put today's fashionistas to the test, for sure. But a pink tulle frou-frou skirt – I’m pretty sure you’d always have room for a few of those, in any decade.
So darling, before I head back to Derbyshire (remember, it’s my town) in the warmth of a beautifully-furnished railway carriage with my latest copy of "The Sketch," and continue to make that pink tulle tutu as fashionable as a la danseuse, I want to share my favorite parts of today's journey:
- *We saw the birth of *La Diva - Anna Pavlova – and she's still dazzling us! What a legacy, isn't it? **
- *I learned a bit about how *the traditional ballerina style changed over time - so fun! **
- *Paris still knows how to host the greatest shows, always a ballet highlight. *
- *Shopping is ALWAYS exciting. It’s an amazing feeling. I simply cannot wait to get back to the ateliers and buy new ribbons. Oh my dear, my heart does flutter a bit every time I do - pure joy. *
Well, that's all from my Pink Tutu Tuesday! Stay tuned, my gorgeous ballerinas! I'll be back next week, ready to take another magical journey through time. In the meantime, remember – a pink tutu always adds a touch of sparkle to life! Don't forget to come back next week for another exciting trip to #TutuTuesday. I’ve got loads of ideas for how to get more people into that amazing pink tutu.
Until next time, my lovelies! Remember to stay fabulously ballet-tastic! 🩰💖
