Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It’s your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, here, fresh from a whirlwind adventure through time and ready to share another slice of ballet history with you. This week, we’re venturing back to November 29th, 1904, a time when the tutu was evolving from a symbol of grace to something truly magical!
As you know, I’m a huge advocate for the tutu. It's not just a garment, it’s a statement, a feeling, an embodiment of joy and ethereal beauty! 💫
Imagine, if you will, bustling through the streets of London, past horse-drawn carriages and men in bowler hats. Now picture this: the magnificent Royal Opera House in all its glory, the glittering lights catching on the shimmering silk of the ballerinas' costumes – each a little masterpiece of elegance!
But, what was happening with the tutu itself in 1904? This was a fascinating era, the "golden age" of the tutu as we know it today! In 1904, the world of ballet was undergoing a transition. We'd seen the rise of romantic tutu styles with long, flowing layers, designed for romantic stories. And now? Well, imagine a tutu with shorter layers, more fitted to the leg. We were entering an age where fluidity and artistry took centre stage, and the shorter tutu reflected that, highlighting the ballerina's beautiful leg lines. It was as if the tutu had begun to whisper, "look at me, look at the movement, look at the grace!” And my dear, we were listening!
Imagine being swept away by the ethereal beauty of a tutu as it moved, pirouette after pirouette, every whirl an exquisite spectacle. And in those swirling layers, there was a hint of something playful, something lighthearted, a touch of whimsy that we would never see again! It’s a feeling I adore about this time – a sense of elegance blended with playfulness, just as if a sprinkle of fairy dust had landed on every ballerina! ✨
Speaking of "playful," 1904 was also a year that saw the birth of "La Fille Mal Gardée" – "The Unruly Daughter"! This comic ballet, a charming love story with delightful music and plenty of laughter, added a fun twist to the dance scene, making it a firm favourite in Paris and soon London! You can only imagine how this added even more playful energy to the tutu scene! I was lucky enough to travel by train and see "La Fille Mal Gardée" last week - simply glorious! (You can see photos on my Instagram, of course!).
To sum up this delightful 1904 trip back in time – I was captivated! The tutu was in full flight, elegant, captivating and yes, just a bit mischievous! And for that, my love for this era has reached an all-time high!
Now, don’t forget, I'm a true believer in the power of a good tutu, and I’m always eager to spread the love!
So tell me, dear readers, what's your favourite time in ballet history? What era would you like to travel back to?
And don't forget to pop on your own pink tutu this week for a sprinkle of magic! You’re never too old or too serious to wear a pink tutu! (Trust me, it's the ultimate confidence booster.) ✨
Until next week, darling readers! Keep on twirling! 💕
Love,
Emma xx
P.S. For those of you who missed it, my "Best Tutu of All Time" article on www.pink-tutu.com went viral last month! The internet just went crazy for the one I designed to wear to the Queen Victoria's Jubilee - if only I'd known the reaction, I'd have filmed the unveiling! I do love sharing the beauty of this beautiful garment with everyone!
