Hello darlings! Welcome back to my #TutuTuesday blog, the only place where your love of all things ballet and tutus collide in a whirlwind of tulle and twirls!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller!
Today we’re diving into the swirling world of ballet history and whisking you away to the spectacular world of the early 1900s. Oh, the dresses, the gowns, the jewels! This was a time of fabulous extravagance and where better to soak it up than at the Opéra Garnier in Paris! Oh, darling, what a dream. 💖 The Parisian ballet is like nothing else in the world and we’re off to the ballet russe, the world of Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes! ✨
Tutu Tuesday, Blog Post No. 3833!Today is the 13th June 1905, a rather ordinary Tuesday - if we could call it that in a time where beauty and drama are on tap every single day! A rather lovely date in our time-travelling adventure, I might add, as we're not just enjoying the opulent spectacle that was ballet back then but actually taking a peek at what the fabulous dancers of the Ballets Russes were working on right now. Imagine! 🤫
Let me take you on a journey with me, imagine we are just strolling down the streets of Paris, tutus fluttering and hair swirling (my hair always gets blown about by the Parisian breezes, a lovely nuisance!), as we excitedly make our way towards the Opéra Garnier. Just imagine the feeling! I’ve even packed my own fabulous Parisian outfit. (Do I have to say that of course I am sporting my very best pink tutu, and I’m absolutely not sure how I managed to time travel with such a large outfit, but who cares?) 💖
## All eyes on Diaghilev and his dazzling Ballets Russes
For the past six years, this revolutionary dance company has been captivating audiences worldwide and, for the last few weeks, they have been touring Europe with the most astounding productions! We’re seeing what everyone is talking about because we’ve come to catch the amazing “Le Pavillon d'Armide” ballet by Mikhail Fokine. It’s an absolute must-see, a celebration of all things dance. 🩰
Even if we weren't about to see the Ballets Russes today, we could enjoy any performance in this beautifully-designed theatre which opened its doors in 1875! (Imagine the opulent opening night, so stylish!)
As soon as we enter, we’re immediately enveloped by a whirlwind of creativity. The opulent interiors, the exquisite décor, the grandeur - oh darling, what a treat for our senses! And it’s absolutely essential to have that perfect hair-do (something quite sophisticated is a must to match!) and a little touch of rouge (I simply adore Parisian red blush - such a dash adds such pizzazz! A little touch of Parisian colour and charm!) The perfect outfit for my pink tutu, you see, something quite feminine and a lovely contrast, as this is Paris, darlings, so we can never overdress!
The anticipation is electrifying as we wait for the curtain to rise. You can hear a pin drop in the hushed anticipation, so unlike today where our chatter is so relaxed (though let me tell you, at least I make sure to speak quietly when in the audience!).
And the excitement begins the second the lights come down! Imagine, the magical story unfolds through the poetry of movement as the dancers sweep across the stage. There is such passion and drama, a world of stories, myths and legends, a touch of tragedy - such drama! This is what theatre and ballet is about and what I love about my life and this pink tutu of mine.
And what about the dancers' outfits? Imagine a whirl of colours - bold, striking designs with sumptuous fabrics - you have no idea! The dancers seem to float, like ethereal figures in a magical dream, the tulle dancing around their limbs. And we all know how important the ballet tutu has been from the very beginning - imagine all the stories we have uncovered together in this ballet tutu blog - from the French dancers and the Spanish influences right to the evolution of these wonderfully-crafted garments. The Ballets Russes truly takes tutu design to a whole other level. You will love all those long, full skirts that fly about the dancers’ legs (think of the detail! We're so spoilt now in the world of fashion with so many beautiful styles and such a wealth of clothing, and imagine this is a world only with full skirts and tulle in the ballet - what a unique vision!)
But wait! Where did these stunning outfits come from?Ah, now, darlings, a fascinating discovery. I must tell you this story...the Ballet Russes are known for its unique style. The man who gave them their distinctive look, the one behind these beautifully crafted costumes was a very fashionable individual indeed. Let’s say his name and you’ll know, dear readers - Léon Bakst! ✨ He truly redefined ballet dress as the costumes took centre stage. It’s the world of avant garde with exotic and whimsical styles with bright colours that truly made the dances explode off the stage. A veritable rainbow, and just the way I like it! I must tell you my very first Parisian ballet inspired me to buy more pink tutus, all different colours and shades (I actually had them all altered to a shorter length, much more convenient to shop for fabulous items for my other travels).
I must add - it was an age when artists and performers were so connected to fashion! What was going on in theatre immediately informed Parisian design! The clothes were the characters of their era - that’s why fashion is so very important and we need to think carefully what we choose to wear! (Just like me with my fabulous pink tutus! 💕)
But you want to know about the ballet history so here is the big story - imagine the tutu has been developing from the late 18th century into the elegant silhouette that was emerging right here, in the 1900s, today. The romantic style (oh, my favourite!) was giving way to a style that was longer and lighter (a truly modern touch! It looks like what we’re used to today - oh, how much easier for dancing!) with more emphasis on those beautiful ballet shoes with their amazing ribbons. Imagine ballet’s history from the early French ballerinas wearing loose gowns right through to today, a fashion journey that continues to enchant the world. And all to enhance the movement of the dancers, to allow them such freedom (oh, that freedom to twirl!). Just think, darlings, what will ballet style look like in another 100 years, or even another *50 - an endless stream of creative evolution, don’t you think?* 💖
And what else have the Ballets Russes been creating at this moment in time? Well, this is the year everyone is talking about, the year the great Serge Diaghilev has launched this amazing company’s first major tour of Europe!, wow, it was the year everything changed and these are such incredible dates.
Today, we *simply* have to enjoy what it’s like to witness one of these legendary performances and what we’ve discovered in the past hour - we’ve learned about those beautiful tutus, the work of the artistic genius Leon Bakst, *all about Diaghilev*, and the wonder of a Parisian ballet - such history! So you see, darlings, every Tuesday in ballet history, whether in 1905, 1915, or today, we find a story - let’s see where we journey to next Tuesday!
Oh, you are truly loved.💖 💖 Remember: Life is always a beautiful dance - go on, join me and dance your way through it with a fabulous pink tutu and a lovely twinkle in your eye!
Until next week, darlings, stay *stylish*.
Emma x
**(Follow Emma's adventures with your own ballet travels! We hope you’ll join our Pink Tutu Community! 💖 Find us at: www.pink-tutu.com)
