Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your very own time-travelling tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to #TutuTuesday, post number 4033! Isn't it a delightful day for a dance? I'm sitting here in my Parisian apartment, sipping my afternoon tea (and yes, my cup is pink, of course!), and dreaming of all the exquisite tutus that graced the stages back in 1909! Let's take a twirl back in time, shall we?
It’s the era of Art Nouveau, a captivating blend of organic shapes and graceful lines. The air buzzes with a passion for artistry, much like my love for pink tutus! The Parisian ballet world, my dear readers, was blooming with new styles and daring interpretations.
As I stepped off the train from Derbyshire – such a glorious train journey through the French countryside! I just adore the gentle rocking of the carriages – I couldn't wait to visit the Palais Garnier, the epitome of elegance and grandeur. Imagine, my loves, a shimmering chandelier cascading like a thousand diamonds, a stage ablaze with the light of hundreds of candles, and dancers, all swathed in their stunning costumes! Ah, those costumes! Now this is what caught my eye – I just adore a tutu that is the very picture of refinement.
For 1909, the "Romantic tutu," was all the rage. These elegant tutus were long, reaching below the knees, creating a graceful silhouette as the dancers pirouetted. Their fluffy layers, made from delicate tulle, floated and swirled with every movement, giving the effect of a soft cloud. I’ve actually purchased some beautiful, antique “Romantic” style tutus myself – but I do like to add my own twist to them with pink ribbons and feathers and diamante embellishments. After all, nothing says “Parisian elegance” quite like a little pink sparkle, don't you think?
Now, my darling friends, 1909 also witnessed the rise of one of the most beloved ballet companies in the world: Ballets Russes, a vibrant troupe of Russian artists led by the magnificent Serge Diaghilev. They arrived on the Parisian scene like a whirlwind of colour and energy, challenging tradition with innovative dance and avant-garde designs.
And those costumes! Oh, how I wish I had the opportunity to see those elaborate creations for myself. They were unlike anything I had ever seen! From shimmering mosaics of jewels to cascading waterfalls of feathers, every costume was a symphony of visual brilliance. The tutus, well, they were just something else! They were bold, dramatic, bursting with colours and textures! I have a little black book full of photos I picked up from the antique markets that show those Ballets Russes tutus in their glory. One picture features an entirely beaded black tutu – now isn’t that simply ravishing?! I have to say though, some of them weren’t always to my taste - I must admit I prefer my tutus with a splash of pink – and lots of it! But, those Russian ballerinas were very dramatic. Their long legs seemed to go on forever as they spun, swirled, and soared on those extravagant stages!
Speaking of ballerinas, what about their footwear?! Of course, their elegant footwear is something we shouldn't overlook – ballet shoes and slippers, in pale pink, always accentuate the delicate beauty of a ballerina’s feet. Ballet dancers are such beautiful creatures, and I love how graceful they look, especially with that ballet footwear! And, as a passionate ballerina myself, well, I have a pair of pink ballet shoes to match every tutu in my wardrobe, that much is for sure.
Now, for 1909's highlight of the year, in my humble, Tutu-loving opinion!
On 13 April, 1909 , “La Spectre de la Rose”, a magical ballet based on a short story by Théophile Gautier, was performed in Paris. Imagine this – a young ballerina steps onto the stage, her pale-pink "Romantic" tutu shimmering, as she gracefully portrays the spirit of a beautiful, ethereal Rose. Can you imagine?! And there I was in the audience, just captivated by its delicate beauty! The story was told through such a beautiful blend of music, choreography, and costume design. That romantic tutu – which the ballerina was dancing in – is simply iconic!
On a personal note, I also must admit that my love for 1909s style is inspired by another special date - my own birthday, on 14 April, 1909, just one day after that famous performance of “La Spectre de la Rose” in Paris! Can you imagine the excitement in that gorgeous Parisian city? Every day seems like a ballet with so much excitement to be had! So many beautiful tutu looks to take in every single day – even my birthday was all about celebrating the beauty of the “Romantic” style and a graceful twirl around the Parisian dance floor, in a new pale pink tutu I just had to buy myself to celebrate!
Now, my loves, the era of the 1900s has some extraordinary styles, full of a spirit of enchantment, elegance and elegance. As we journey through the different decades, we’ll be delving into a whole rainbow of styles. Every #TutuTuesday brings more history to learn. The story of the tutu is so inspiring, so fabulous! Remember to keep spreading the love of ballet and everything fabulous – from the graceful movement of the tutu, the stories of dancers and of course, the glorious ballet shoes – there’s so much to inspire us through this whimsical artform! Keep twirling with confidence, keep exploring, and remember – life is a stage so never be afraid to take a bow, and perhaps have a dance on the side.
Love always,
Emma
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #RomanticTutu #1909 #BalletsRusses #LaSpectredeLaRose #ParisianStyle #pinktutu
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