Hello darling readers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad ballerina, and it's #TutuTuesday! Today we're embarking on a trip back in time, a delightful hop aboard the trusty Time Twister express to the glorious, opulent year of 1908, all in the name of investigating the evolution of the fabulous tutu.
This week I landed in Paris, darling! I always have the most exquisite time in Paris - such chic boutiques, such charming cafes, and oh my word, the theatre! Such extravagant shows, such glorious costumes, so many glittering tutus! I just had to indulge in a rather splendid little shopping spree, wouldn't you agree?
Of course, on the journey I couldn't help but think about this wonderful date in history, 13th October, 1908. Why, it's the very date when a brilliant young ballerina named Anna Pavlova first set foot in Paris for a tour that captivated the entire city. This enchanting lady was quite the sensation, with her delicate, ethereal performances and captivating presence.
So naturally, the first order of business was to immerse myself in a grand performance. I made my way to the OpƩra Garnier, a truly breathtaking venue with exquisite architecture and ornate dƩcor. It truly is a delight for the eyes and ears! Imagine my delight at watching a breathtaking production of Swan Lake featuring - wait for it! - a very special, brand-new tutu! Now, let me tell you about it.
It was an absolutely delightful vision - all soft and delicate, almost weightless, you see. It flowed and danced with her every move, just like a gentle summer breeze rustling through wildflowers. Gone were the voluminous, romantic, floor-length tutus, and in its place was this shorter, more practical and modern style, which is truly a delight to witness in action. I simply had to find out more about this evolution of the tutu, so off I popped to the MusƩe des Arts DƩcoratifs, which houses an incredible collection of theatrical costumes and designs.
This beautiful museum is filled with historical tutus, dating back to the very beginning. It's so fascinating to see the evolution of the tutu, from its early days in the court of Louis XIV, where it was known as the "crinoline", to the romantic tutus of the early 19th century, to the more modern style that I saw in the Swan Lake performance.
I learned a lot from this fascinating experience about this iconic piece of stage attire! For example, did you know that tutus evolved hand-in-hand with dance styles? The earlier, floor-length, more voluminous styles were perfect for the elegant, balletic steps of that era, as the fabric helped to flow with the grand movements and sweeping gestures.
But, as ballet moved towards more intricate footwork and precise, lighter movements, tutus also transformed, becoming shorter, and more airy. What's especially delightful about this, my darling readers, is that this new style showed off the ballerinaās exquisite lines and grace with much greater clarity, allowing us to admire their perfect posture and every delicate extension.
But letās be honest, who doesnāt love a touch of pink on their tutus, even in 1908? Well, perhaps this was a little too early for the "pinkification" of ballet, but what I did see was an exquisite array of hues from palest ivory to blush peach and a truly captivating shade of sky blue. Just glorious! It was all simply too stunning for words. I immediately started to imagine myself in such elegant creations. You see, Iām rather a fan of delicate colours and intricate lace.
In the midst of this fashion odyssey, I had the good fortune of bumping into Madame Gabrielle Chanel. Oh, such a talented lady! This Parisian icon has brought us the little black dress and so much more, and her designs are simply divine. It turns out Madame Chanel loves a visit to the opera herself, and was keen to find some inspiration. Oh darling readers, imagine the gossip we shared over a lovely cup of coffee, a moment of pure joy. We both have an absolutely passionate admiration for ballet! She told me of the "new era" of dance sheād witnessed in Paris. āThis is not a period of rigid movementsā, she told me. "Itās a period of naturalness and fluidity.ā This certainly shone through in the Swan Lake production, it certainly was a performance that felt so much freer than those from the previous eras.
And that brings me to my most delightful observation ā the emergence of āstreet ballet.ā The Paris Ballet Academy was experimenting with new approaches to choreography and performance, with a passion for a less theatrical, more real-life approach. They experimented with open spaces and urban settings, introducing a wonderful element of freedom and creativity to traditional ballet styles.
Imagine a performance on the banks of the Seine, lit by flickering streetlamps with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower in the distance! Just delightful! Madame Chanel told me how a talented, up and coming ballerina had even debuted her signature moves while walking through a flower market in a graceful, captivating performance! This is certainly a far cry from those strict, classical presentations and certainly reflects the ever changing society around us.
Now, dear readers, this trend is particularly exciting as a time traveller, as this fusion of fashion and artistry creates exciting possibilities for both design and performance!
I canāt help but think this innovative use of open spaces gives new possibilities for both costumes and movement, opening up avenues for even greater expression! I believe, it is only a matter of time until those vibrant shades of pink, lavender and peachy orange start taking to the streets in this dynamic style. I shall keep you all updated.
But darling readers, I shall keep this post for another time. For now, as always, thank you for joining me in my Parisian adventures. Do write to me at www.pink-tutu.com and share your love for tutus, ballet, or anything related to dance with me. And never forget, darlings - it's always Tutu Tuesday somewhere!
Yours in Pink, Emma.
