Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where tutus reign supreme and pink is the colour of choice. It's your favourite time of the week, TutuTuesday! Today we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to 1905, a truly fabulous era for the world of ballet, and a period that heavily influenced the tutus we adore today.
I, your trusty time-travelling tutu enthusiast Emma, have been jetting around the world in my trusty train carriage (I'm rather partial to a first-class compartment - a girl's gotta travel in style!), and for today's #TutuTuesday we're heading to none other than Paris, the City of Lights and, dare I say, the city of tutus!
Paris in 1905 was awash with creative energy, buzzing with innovation in the world of dance, fashion, and of course, ballet. Imagine yourself, darling, at the Palais Garnier - the iconic opera house, its gilded grandeur perfectly reflecting the opulent style of the period. The air crackles with excitement, anticipation building for the next captivating performance. And wouldn't you know it, the ladies in the audience are looking utterly exquisite, adorned in extravagant gowns and feather boas. Imagine the feathers, my dears! So fluffy, so fabulous, and perfect for adding that touch of Parisian chic!
But here's the thing, dear readers - the ballet costumes back then were, well, rather different to the ones we adore today! Forget about the frothy, billowing tutus that float and twirl, we're talking more about knee-length skirts with a touch of embellishment and some well-placed strategically positioned ruffles. A far cry from the dazzling display of tulle we witness on stage today, don't you agree?
That's why today's #TutuTuesday is dedicated to celebrating those early pioneers who brought the ballerina into the spotlight and set the stage for the beautiful tutus we cherish today. We're taking a peek into what was happening in the ballet world at this time, looking back at the pioneers, the dancers, and the iconic works that forever shaped the tutu.
The Rise of The Russian BalletsDid you know, darlings, that this year was particularly exciting in the world of ballet because of the arrival of the Russian Ballet Company in Paris! This iconic company, led by the renowned choreographer Serge Diaghilev, captivated audiences with their breathtaking artistry, dynamic choreography, and oh-so-very flamboyant costumes!
The Ballets Russes (as they are fondly known) brought a dazzling explosion of colour and theatrical grandeur, completely revolutionizing the Parisian ballet scene and inspiring a whole new wave of artistry. They infused their performances with opulent costumes that dazzled the audience with rich fabrics, luxurious embroidery and, dare I say, an emphasis on using movement as a way to tell a story.
But, we're on a tutu journey, right? So what about the tutus themselves? They weren't quite like the modern ones yet, but they began to incorporate a more feminine form with flowing lines and playful, layered fabrications - a beautiful and daring step away from the stricter, more traditional ballet dress.
Just imagine, my loves! A dance filled with swirling fabrics, bold movements, and stories that take you to another world. It's easy to understand why the Russians created a stir!
Celebrating the PioneersNow, back to 1905. You know, my dears, there was an absolutely phenomenal dancer called Anna Pavlova, a name you may be familiar with if you have a penchant for ballet history, as I do. She was known for her graceful movements and captivating stage presence - basically, a rock star of the stage!
And speaking of pioneers, another star on the ballet stage during this time was the one and only Vaslav Nijinsky. Can you believe, a few years later in 1912, this brilliant dancer created the utterly fabulous (and infamous, for the times!) "L'après-midi d'un faune"? He revolutionized ballet again by introducing unconventional movements and sensual interpretations of dance that captivated audiences and challenged artistic norms!
Oh, and while we're on the topic of dance, darling, we absolutely must acknowledge the talented, innovative Marius Petipa. Imagine him, working away in St. Petersburg in Russia. He, dear reader, was the creator of many famous ballets we know today! In fact, "The Nutcracker" is one of his beautiful masterpieces, although this wouldn't appear for another decade.
The stories, the dancers, the dazzling costumes... just thinking about it gets my heart pumping, ready for another tutu adventure! So, don't just dream about wearing tutus, my loves. Dance it, live it, embrace the magic and wear your tutus with pride!
That's all from me for this week, dear readers! Now, I'm off to go hunt for some feather boas! What can I say, a girl's got to stay in the trend of 1905, even if it is 100 years later, right?! Remember, darlings, wear a pink tutu today - spread the joy, embrace the frou-frou, and stay fashionable, my dears!
Until next week,
Emma, your favourite tutu-loving time traveller. www.pink-tutu.com
