Hello my darling dears! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another dive into the wonderful world of ballet's sartorial history. Today, we're setting our time machine for March 23rd, 1909, and heading to the heart of the tutu revolution: Paris!
Now, Paris in 1909 was abuzz with the avant-garde and a bubbling cultural ferment. You wouldn't believe the gorgeous frocks they were sporting. Just imagine the vibrant colours, the exquisite detail, and the flowing silk – my fellow fashionista's heart would be aflutter! But what did these trendsetters wear to the theatre, you ask? Well, if you're lucky enough to be seeing a ballet, it's more likely than not you'd find yourself seated next to a woman clad in a splendid gown and a striking… hat!
You see, dear reader, back in these days, the tutus we know and love were primarily the preserve of the stage. Imagine the gasp of the audience as the ballerina gracefully swept across the stage in her shimmering, wispy tutu, creating a whirlwind of artistry and wonder. I swear, I'd have been mesmerized just sitting in the audience!
What about our beloved pink tutus, I hear you cry? Well, pink was starting to emerge as a colour for both fashionable attire and performance costumes, although a deep, rich magenta was all the rage. Now, can you just imagine, dear readers, the majesty of a dancer clad in a lush magenta tutu swirling beneath the Parisian gaslights, creating a dazzling spectacle of grace and beauty? Simply divine!
Today, however, my mission, my darling readers, is to bring a splash of pink into the world! I'm encouraging you to add a touch of pink, whether it be a little ribbon, a delightful shawl, or even a whole pink ensemble. Embrace the whimsy and charm of this colour!
So, in 1909, the world was enthralled by the grace and grandeur of classical ballet, and the audience revelled in the elegance and detail of the dancers' costumes. There was still much ground to cover before the tutus of today, the kind that you and I love so much, became a regular sight.
However, there were a few little things that made this day even more exciting for the world of ballet:
On the Stage:
- In Paris, the legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky debuted as the lead role in "Le Spectre de la Rose." Just imagine this charming and impossibly graceful dancer on the stage, dancing his heart out, in a gorgeous, traditional ballet costume! Oh my, I simply can't resist the urge to time travel and see this show in person!
And on the Streets:
- Back then, fashion wasn't about dressing for comfort – oh no! The Parisians were all about intricate embellishments, beautiful detail and luxurious materials. Just imagine the grandeur of a long, flowing skirt in velvet, intricately adorned with lace and velvet roses – oh my! I am positively itching to grab my sewing kit and get creating!
But while the streets and theatres were abuzz with elegance, our mission for the week, my lovely readers, is a little different: Pink! Go on, indulge in a touch of pink - a hat, a scarf, a lovely teacup – let your inner pink spirit run wild. After all, I can't do it alone!
Now, remember to come back next week, my darling readers, as we journey to another magical date and I bring you another little piece of the fabulous story of our beloved ballet tutus! Until then, keep those tutus twirling, those dreams big, and those hearts happy.
XOXO, Emma.
