Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time traveler, back again with another installment of your favourite Ballet Tutu History blog! As always, I'm bringing you the hottest news on all things tutu, straight from the archives of fashion history!
This week we're waltzing our way back to 11th July 1905. Imagine, my dears, a world without Swan Lake playing on repeat on every streaming service! Can you even imagine a Tuesday night without a pirouette? Thankfully, the ballet world was very much alive and kicking back then, with some truly magnificent productions making waves!
Now, before I tell you all about the dazzling spectacle that unfolded on the 11th, let me tell you about my journey! Oh, the sheer joy of time travel! It's no simple matter, mind you. No mere hopping into a TARDIS or jumping on a unicorn for this gal. No, my friends, I finance my fabulous excursions with the fruits of my dancing labour. It’s all about performance fees and, of course, some careful shopping. The fashion game never sleeps, and a time traveller has to stay ahead of the curve, wouldn't you agree?
This week, I travelled by train. It took me a few days, I’m a bit prone to daydreaming and forgetting I’m on a timetable (who can resist looking in the shop windows?!). And what do you know, the carriage had been completely decorated with a floral pattern, absolutely charming! So reminiscent of those exquisite ballet costumes. The whole experience made me feel like I'd stepped onto the set of a lovely period drama. It was pure magic!
Speaking of magic, we arrive in Paris, my dear lovelies! The home of the Paris Opera Ballet! (Can you say ‘Ooh La La?’!). It’s been a delight, I must tell you! And it’s a little bit of heaven here for a tutu-lover, you can be sure of that! Everywhere you look, the exquisite artistry and sheer extravagance of ballet. Now I understand why even kings and queens went to the theatre in those days! I mean, you would have, too, in my pink tutu. Even today, if you know the secret, the sheer elegance of the dance makes everything magical, even if you’re not a ballet lover!
It wasn’t a completely spontaneous decision to travel back in time. After all, a bit of historical research never goes amiss, don't you think? Especially when it comes to #TutuTuesday! You see, this is the very year that, you’ve guessed it, a brand new ballet was premiered - Thaïs. A tragédie lyrique (opera-ballet anyone? Oh the delicious drama!), with a most sensational performance. If the prima ballerina of that year, Mlle. Karsavina, hadn't just wowed me with her technique, her breathtaking costumes might have! But wait, I can feel the thrill in my little tutu heart, oh, it’s even more exciting! They didn't even have tutus in Thaïs. That's right, my lovelies! We're talking real-deal, glamorous Grecian gowns. Long, flowing fabrics in colours that could melt your heart and costumes befitting an actual goddess.
Can you imagine the drama of the piece! So much about the ballet is in the costume, don't you think? It truly evokes the character. The dancer must embody the very essence of the role with each movement. I always loved that feeling when you take a deep breath and step into your character, and Thaïs is probably all about costume. How thrilling! Oh, I must go to the opera house, I wonder if the costume sketches have been preserved! It would be a delightful treasure hunt in Paris.
It may seem strange that the 11th July, a mere Tuesday, has a date in history to celebrate, especially since there wasn’t any ballet performance to go see, even a theatrical piece! Well, you see, on 11th July 1905, a wonderful lady, Miss Anna Pavlova, the prima ballerina who captivated the world and inspired legions of fans, even myself, was performing in Thaïs. Not in Paris, but the magnificent Marinsky Theatre in St Petersburg.
Oh my darling, it must have been such a thrill. My lovelies, we have some great pictures, that I have seen! What style, and poise! That costume, truly a dream, imagine the feathers... They were stunning. And those flowers she used to decorate her tutu - absolutely heavenly! I've been known to raid my local flower shop or two myself for a little inspiration, but honestly, Ms. Pavlova? Pure perfection. But honestly, why wear feathers and flowers? Why, for the same reason that the audience watches the dance with so much pleasure and emotion! Why does one watch ballet at all! It’s because there’s beauty in the movement, because they express the artist, the feeling in such a profound way that nothing else can quite manage, so the costume becomes that art! The fabric a stage upon which to express an idea! That is the way ballet makes magic. She truly is the queen of the stage.
Now, if you're like me, this sort of information just makes you yearn for more! Where can I go to learn about more ballet history? There are always places like the Victoria & Albert Museum that you can visit in London and all the little costume archives you can find scattered across the world, which is what I try to do - dig around and find places. I wouldn’t have time to travel around so much unless it was absolutely worth it, so I search my little time travel suitcase carefully! If you happen to know more about costumes in Thaïs do leave a comment on this post, I’m sure your knowledge can be helpful.
Until next #TutuTuesday, keep your hearts filled with a passion for the dance, keep an eye out for the fabulous tutu trend, and wear a pink tutu with pride! Don't forget to check in next week for more captivating ballet history, my loves! You can find me on Instagram @pinktutublog. Until next time, à bientôt, lovelies!
