Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballerina, bringing you another dose of #TutuTuesday ballet history.
Today we're jetting back to 20th August 1907 - can you believe it's been over a century?! - and landing smack bang in the heart of Parisian fashion, just in time for the premiere of the ballet "The Swan Lake."
It was a glorious time, with Paris bursting at the seams with the excitement of a new ballet season! Think of it - elegant, flowing skirts, lavish feathered hats, and of course, those oh-so-beautiful tulle creations known as tutus! I’d be completely lost without my pink one!
I was positively thrilled when I stepped into the Opéra Garnier on that summery evening. It's a simply breathtaking building, so majestic and glamorous! The atmosphere inside was electrifying - whispers of excitement and anticipations. Oh, how I wish I could share with you the sheer delight I felt to see so many fellow dancers in those wondrous costumes, their graceful forms poised ready to whisk us all away on a dance floor filled with music.
Now, on this momentous August evening, “The Swan Lake” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky debuted for the very first time, the culmination of the composer’s incredible genius, and truly it was magnificent! You just have to imagine - ballerinas gliding across the stage in exquisite white tutus, perfectly reflecting the delicate grace of the swan.
Oh, to be one of those graceful swans gliding across the stage, performing this beautiful ballet. Imagine the audience enraptured, completely captivated by the movements of our ethereal dance.
After the performance, the entire Parisian city buzzed about the magical evening. “The Swan Lake" was hailed as a masterpiece, and deservedly so! It set the stage for all future ballets. The white tutus in "The Swan Lake," became iconic! This piece solidified the image of a tutu as the ballet’s essential garment, and launched it as a timeless symbol of graceful feminine elegance and movement.
I know I wouldn't be the stylish time-traveling ballerina I am without tutus! I’ve loved seeing the tutu become increasingly diverse as time passes! Now there are tutus made with exquisite silk and beautiful layers of soft chiffon! My very favorite though, are the tutus created for ballet performances set outdoors under the stars! There is just something so magical about them, their wispy layers catching the moon light, and creating that ethereal quality that makes a ballet performance feel truly otherworldly.
Did you know that on 20th August 1907, there were other extraordinary events happening all over the world?! It was the same day that King Edward VII, laid the first stone of the British National Physical Laboratory! It felt very much like our world was changing with these new inventions, advances, and new creations. The world truly seems a little bit more magical to me, knowing that all these incredible events happened in just one day! It gives me a very good feeling knowing I’m here, to document it all and share it with you.
Speaking of travel, let me tell you about the incredible railway journey I took to Paris, my latest adventure. The train, as ever, was full of fashionable Parisians heading for the latest exhibitions and theatre productions. They looked exquisite in their beautiful suits and dresses, I absolutely loved seeing their elegant styles! It felt like being part of a historical moving picture! Oh, to wear their elegant costumes! Though my own pink tutu stands up perfectly well, alongside their beautiful attire! I was so delighted when one gentleman complimented me on its colour!
But enough about my trip. This #TutuTuesday is all about “The Swan Lake”, and what a grand debut it was! I simply can’t wait to travel further back in time to see its roots! Maybe I will even visit Moscow and discover where this glorious piece was created, and take my own dancing inspiration from its earliest forms! I wonder how their tutus were designed and the materials used. Did you know that even a ballerina's history is a tale of change and fashion and we can see this just by looking at those beautiful tutus that have graced stages for so many years?
Now, for your next Tutu Tuesday ballet fashion project - what will you do? Can you tell us what tutus you wore last time you were in a theater? How about an account of your favorite tutu or perhaps what inspired you to get into ballet? I’d be absolutely thrilled to see what you can create with this next week’s #TutuTuesday challenge!
Until then, my darling tutu-loving friends! Do go on and embrace the elegant grace and beauty of ballet - it’s infectious and will make you want to take the world by the pink tutu! 💖
Your stylish and eternally grateful,
Emma 🩰💖
P.S. Remember to follow the blog at www.pink-tutu.com, where you’ll find me, your friendly tutu blogger, bringing you weekly tales about the fascinating history of ballet, my trips in time and my ongoing passion to share my love for this art form! And for the love of a graceful ballerina - don’t forget to share with the world your #TutuTuesday creations on our blog! I’m sure you will come up with wonderful, graceful and delightful ideas that I simply cannot wait to read and see!
