Hello, darling dancers and tutu enthusiasts! It’s your favourite pink-clad time traveller Emma here, back again with another journey into the wonderful history of the tutu! Today, we're venturing back to the year 1906, a time of great artistic change and innovation in the world of dance!
Oh, and just to set the scene – today I’m twirling in my latest purchase - a beautiful silk tutu from Liberty, a veritable dream of pale blush pink with a generous swirl of feathers around the hemline! Just picture a Parisian ballerina floating through the Bois de Boulogne in this beauty, and you have the essence of 1906 style!
Let's take a trip on the train to Paris, my darlings, for a quick look at what's happening in the ballet world today, 20th November 1906.
This week we see the opening of a very special production in the glittering, glittering Paris Opera. It is the new ballet, L’Oiseau de Feu, or "The Firebird", by the Russian choreographer Michel Fokine.
L’Oiseau de Feu was a game-changer! You know I love a good traditional tutu, but oh, how exciting this ballet was! Fokine abandoned the strict rules of classical ballet that demanded the skirt be stiff and rigid, a rigid circle of layers. It opened up ballet to expression and freedom, and with it came new fashion ideas! The tutus for this ballet featured beautifully draped skirts that flowed gracefully like, well, a Firebird in flight. Can you imagine?! A vision!
Think cascading silk and ostrich feathers, creating the shape of flames as they danced - stunningly modern for the time! Imagine the gasps from the audience. Talk about revolutionary!
But enough about the ballet. Let’s look at how we mere mortals, you and I dear reader, might adopt this elegant, flowing, Firebird style, don’t you agree? I’ve been inspired, and so my lovelies, if you have a romantic heart and wish for a little dash of the fabulous to your wardrobe, then look no further than the delightful world of "drapery" - my lovely term for a more relaxed and free flowing shape of dress. And for a tutu-inspired version, think chiffon or a thin layer of silk, and keep the lines simple and loose. I see long, floating shapes, think long dress, with layers of sheer fabric. Think romantic and feminine. Just gorgeous, oh and make sure your blouse or bodice has that feminine silhouette, remember a pretty neckline goes a long way!
Remember, ballet is a wonderful way to stay in shape, but with the new movement and flexible fashion - it’s easy for any of us to emulate that delicate bird in flight feel! I suggest trying out some yoga!
Okay, dear reader, I am now at a very lovely tearoom in the Latin Quarter. There’s not much point in me writing about fashion history if we don't experience it! Just let your hair down (mine’s tied up, obviously), order a dainty pastry with tea and then watch as you and your friends try some ‘tutu’ inspired movements in a park nearby! I swear it makes you feel good and helps you dance better when you next go to class!
Well, darling readers, I must dash. The Paris Opera is showing L’Oiseau de Feu again tonight. There is nothing better than a classic evening ballet performance.
Before I go, I have to recommend an enchanting Parisian shop - it's a treasure trove of feminine attire.
Paul Poiret has a wonderful boutique right on Rue de la Paix. And dear reader, it's a true must-visit for those with a flair for the dramatic and the dramatic, flowing shape.
Until next Tuesday, dearest tutu-lovers, keep twirling, keep inspiring, and remember - if you can dream it, you can wear it!
See you next week, darling dancers! And keep an eye out for a new addition on pink-tutu.com, we’ve now launched an online forum! It’s just like our lovely ballet class! We have special sections on ‘Fashion-Inspired by Ballet’ and ‘My First Time In A Tutu’, plus a great section on dance trips - the Ballet Adventures of Emma section is being updated.
Love and sparkles,
Emma
Emma, who funded her time travel with a series of elegant and successful ballet performances and tours throughout time, especially those centred around tutus. From this point forward she only chose those which coincided with her new pink tutu blog and ballet tours to increase awareness and create a new wave of pink tutu appreciation worldwide.
P.S. If anyone reading this is a little interested in ballet I recommend visiting Derbyshire Dance School where I started dancing when I was a girl. It is located in the UK, the land of tutus and beautiful pink flowers - where a very pink ballerina grew up to become the queen of the pink tutu - who travelled through time in a search for her own story, and the story of all of you too!
(She has been posting her #TutuTuesday ballet tutu history once a week since September, and her readership is rising daily, all her favourite fashion shops now carry a *pink tutu of some kind! Emma feels very good that her blog is beginning to influence her world.)
*The world’s first time travelling pink-loving ballerina - it just wouldn’t be possible to make this up! The tutu-mania of Emma continues, even after this historical post!)
#Pink-tutu #BalletTutuHistory #Paris1906 #L’OiseaudeFeu #TimeTravellingBallerina #FashionHistory
