Bonjour mes chéries! It's Emma here, back from another fabulous trip through time with my trusty pink tutu!
This week, we're taking a trip back to the dawn of the 20th century, landing right on January 29th, 1907. It’s a Tuesday, of course, because a good #TutuTuesday must be celebrated on a Tuesday, don't you agree? This time, my travelling has taken me to Paris! The city of lights, love, and… surprisingly, quite a lot of tutus!
The Year of The Swan
As we're in 1907, it seems the ballet world is simply swimming in the grace and elegance of Anna Pavlova! This exquisite dancer, with her famous "Dying Swan" piece, is stealing the stage, the hearts, and definitely the tutus. Can you imagine having to compete with such ethereal beauty? Thankfully, our tutus here are still delightfully fluffy, long and romantic, so there's a place for every dancer, even if we aren't quite the swan queens like Pavlova.
Speaking of tutus, let’s take a look at the style back in 1907:
Fashionable Flounces and Fluttering Feathers
While those tour en pointe twirls are a sight to behold, so is the actual tutu. They're so lavish!
Imagine layers and layers of soft tulle, billowing outwards like a cloud. The length is absolutely magnificent - reaching the floor, just like my favourite vintage pink tutu! We're talking about grand Romantic ballets here. Think Giselle, La Sylphide, the grandest and most magical stories spun on stage. Those long, billowing tutus are the perfect match, carrying a ballerina's leaps like delicate dandelion seeds floating on the wind.
The skirts are full of movement. A truly captivating blend of soft pastel shades with the odd daring pop of vibrant colour - think delicate blush pink, elegant ivory, and dreamy seafoam green - like those delicious French macarons. These tutus are adorned with the most charming flourishes – hand-sewn rosettes and sparkling beads, a cascade of silk ribbons, even feathers! It's as though each tutu has its own unique personality and tells its story just by its style.
Oh, the shopping!
This 1907 world seems particularly dedicated to the art of fine hand-sewing and meticulous detail. Every detail, from the tiny bow on the shoe to the intricate lace adorning the tutu bodice, speaks to a level of dedication that seems nearly lost today. Imagine - finding a tailor who handcrafts every detail for a tutu with the perfect pink shade! My inner shopaholic is practically bursting at the seams with joy.
The Grand Opera House: Paris is alive!
So, as any good #TutuTuesday aficionado knows, you can't visit Paris in 1907 without visiting the Opera House! It's like walking into a storybook with swirling marble and grand golden chandeliers. The energy there is electrifying!
Just imagine a night in the Opera House. Everyone dressed in their finest gowns, gentlemen with their polished shoes and charming hats, and me, of course, sporting my brightest pink tutu - quite a conversation piece! I'm convinced everyone looks at a ballet in 1907 through a different lens - a lens full of appreciation for the art form and the stunning skill of the performers.
There's such an enchanting charm to seeing ballet presented in such an elaborate setting. I am a passionate advocate for more traditional opera houses and theatres to make a comeback. Let's embrace the majesty of the past and enjoy those timeless moments that transcend any generation.
Time to return, my darlings!
My train ticket back to my own time is calling, but oh, how I wish I could stay! 1907 is truly a captivating time for ballet, fashion, and overall extravagance. My journey home might mean saying goodbye to these elaborate tutus, but trust me, I'm bringing back a head full of inspiration and maybe a few ideas for my own tutus… I wonder what sort of lace will go with my new lavender silk!
Until next time, let's keep the spirit of 1907 alive in our own #TutuTuesday moments! And remember: every day can be a ballet when you believe in the power of a pink tutu.
Au revoir,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
