Hello my lovely tutu-loving darlings! It's Emma here, back again for another whirlwind trip through ballet history. Today we're travelling back to December 10th, 1907, and believe me, there are some truly sensational stories tucked away in the dusty archives of this time.
For today's #TutuTuesday we're in the heart of Parisian theatre, surrounded by a dizzying array of bonnets, top hats, and... well, you know the drill, tutues!
You see, 1907 was a fabulous year for dance, and if there's one thing I've learned on my time-travelling escapades, it's that the tutu, darling, has always been the star of the show!
From Russia With Love (and tutus!)
On December 10th, 1907, something absolutely incredible was happening in Paris. The Ballets Russes, a company that would change the landscape of dance forever, was on the cusp of their first season at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Imagine the buzz in the air!
This company, spearheaded by the genius that was Sergei Diaghilev, brought with them a unique style of dance that had never been seen before in Paris, brimming with explosive energy and incredible storytelling through movement. They brought with them a dazzling array of costumes, from opulent jewels and velvet cloaks to, you guessed it, tutues! But not your standard romantic tutues, my dears. The Ballets Russes presented a new style of tutu that was shorter, more dramatic, and had a flair for the spectacular.
"We are not only giving you dancing but life and passion." The Ballets Russes’ choreographer, Mikhail Fokine, truly embodied this ethos. He challenged the traditional ballets of the time, with their stiff, overly elaborate, and frankly, quite dull storytelling. Fokine injected a raw, energetic passion into his work, and the tutues, let's be honest, were the perfect exclamation mark to the spectacle he created.
Think about it - the tutues danced, swirled, twirled, and twinkled with life, each a delicate, feathery statement on the story that unfolded on the stage. Can't you just imagine them fluttering around the Théâtre du Châtelet? They were captivating!
The Power of Pink!
Did I mention that December 10th, 1907, saw the Ballets Russes in the full blush of their debut season? Now, I can't imagine a better day to travel to, because it’s quite a well-known fact that the Ballets Russes were renowned for their *beautiful and breathtaking costumes, most notably the captivating hues of pink they embraced. *
Oh, how I adored the sombre-pink tutus with delicate beading worn by the corps de ballet! And don't get me started on the glorious peach-pink silk tutues, the colour of spun sugar! It’s enough to make a tutu lover like me swoon!
Tutues For All!
This week I challenge you to try something new with your tutus. I'm thinking maybe a dash of sparkle with a pinch of colour! Just a smidgen of pink, darling! Let's get creative and bring those Ballets Russes vibes to life in our own homes.
After all, as a fashion enthusiast, I'm firmly in the camp that a tutu can never be worn too often, especially one of my beloved shade - pink!
I’ll leave you with some thought-provoking questions that I've been pondering all week:
- What are some of your favourite tutu designs? (Tell me in the comments below!)
- Have you ever seen a ballet performance that made you feel like a little princess?
- Do you think ballet can be both fierce and beautiful?
See you next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday blog, darlings. And until then, keep those tutus twirling!
Yours in Pink and Sequins,
Emma xx
P.S. Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel for more tutus, travel, and dancing adventures! I'll be posting videos about my experience visiting Paris, and the extraordinary Ballets Russes - all the more enchanting thanks to their amazing costumes and a certain shade of pink... just saying!
Follow my Tutu Adventures on Social Media: * Instagram: @PinkTutuGirl * Twitter: @PinkTutuGirl * Pinterest: PinkTutuGirl
Remember, the power of the tutu knows no bounds!
