Hello, lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you back to another era of enchanting tulle and captivating dance. This Tuesday we're taking a trip all the way back to the year 1909, specifically May 25th, which coincidentally, was the date of the legendary Russian Ballet's performance at the Opera House in Paris! Imagine my excitement! A performance by the legendary Sergei Diaghilev's company? My time machine just about melted from the anticipation!
It wasn't just any old performance, darling! It was their rendition of the ballet "La Péri," which featured the magnificent ballerina Tamara Karsavina and a new kind of stagecraft - with a mesmerizing Orientalist twist! Can you believe, 1909? My, how times have changed! Imagine wearing long, heavy gowns, then popping on a diaphanous, graceful, tulle tutu! It's a dream!
Oh, did I mention? They also had this incredible music! "La Péri" had a glorious score composed by the brilliant Paul Dukas, inspired by the exotic tale of a mystical fairy! You'd have heard flutes, clarinets, and even bells dancing to bring the Péri to life, all under the gorgeous glittering chandeliers of the Paris Opera House! It was like a dream, honestly, just the kind of setting that makes even the simplest tulle skirt sparkle.
You know, even way back then, Parisian women had their own way with tulle. Just imagine those elegant Parisian ladies, flouncing around the streets in chiffon and lace, their skirts billowing gently in the breeze. But it wasn’t all frivolousness! Tulle back then was a symbol of a lady’s refinement and grace. The finer the tulle, the more sophisticated and well-heeled the lady! You just had to make a statement, darling! That’s how women communicated their fashion, like a silent language of elegant lines and perfectly placed lace.
You know what makes a Parisian lady stand out? The hat. Just imagine! Feathered creations with dramatic plumes that swept the Parisian pavements like a glamorous, feathery storm! Can you imagine the scene, darling? Tulle skirts twirling, plumes fluttering, everyone wanting to be seen. My, those women were so glamorous - it almost feels as though it happened yesterday, right here on the bustling Parisian streets.
You know, travelling through time like I do, I’m always on the hunt for new sources of inspiration! That day, I spent ages window shopping at Galleries Lafayette and Printemps in Paris. The boutiques and department stores, darling, you just couldn't stop looking at everything, with silk and satin flowing across the counter and creams and velvets in colours you could never dream of! They’re the kind of shops you dream of, the sort of place where even a plain cotton shirt becomes a work of art. They say Paris is the fashion capital for a reason! You know, every trip makes me wish I had pockets big enough for every glimmering accessory! It was just heavenly, even by today’s standards, let me tell you!
Back in London, however, the fashion was slightly more sedate, as per the style of the times! There were so many wonderful, elegant evening gowns - think fitted bodices, cascading trains and delicate tulle flounces for the dancing! All designed to be a masterpiece of motion and style, naturally!
In the year 1909, London was becoming quite a fashion hub. This year they had the London Symphony Orchestra performing for the first time at Queen's Hall, a venue which was right at the centre of fashion, don't you know! Queen's Hall even had its own orchestra! That's where Londoners got their culture, right next door to Liberty’s, Selfridges and Harrods, which is the same today! You can even find ballet shoes at Harrods, although you couldn't imagine it in 1909! Ballet then, was considered a spectacle, a performance, more akin to a theater show!
It was quite fascinating! Ballet at this time wasn’t all grand tulle and diamond tiaras, mind you! You had to see the dancers from the London Academy of Dance rehearsing in studios just above the shopfronts, their faces set on conquering the world through passionate, perfectly honed dance, and wearing those adorable velvet-trimmed tunics and silk stockings. Even then, it seems, ballet was the art of elegance and sophistication, a blend of beauty, and just a touch of playfulness which still resonates in every step and movement! You see, ballet has never lost its sparkle! It’s just that it keeps reinventing itself and always looking new.
One thing's for sure, those dancing gowns were amazing! Some people might have thought them "shocking," because they were often above the ankle! Imagine, ladies dancing and swirling with their limbs unhindered, free as air! Well, back then they did not actually have real tutus, but a similar feeling was being expressed through this long flowing garment, with elegant lines, cascading skirts, and billowing movement, with beautiful shimmering silk ribbons, sometimes almost hidden under all the other embellishments. This was just the kind of style that was changing how we moved, and it’s still evident on the stage and in the most stunning fashion runways!
If only my blog could capture those shimmering dance routines, but imagine it with me, ladies. Think of all those long floating movements, every sway, and every spin telling a story, captivating audiences and showcasing the beauty of ballet's fluidity. Now picture this, all those gowns adorned with shimmering velvet and silk, and sequined embroidery, moving like flowing water. Pure luxury, and absolutely mesmerizing, wasn't it!
Did I forget to tell you, I saw this incredible new play on the West End - the name escapes me but I believe it involved a glamorous young lady in Paris! You see, London was buzzing about the French connection. Imagine seeing the Eiffel Tower with its twinkling lights and then returning to London, ready to embrace all things opulent, stylish, and a little bit French. Just the perfect combination!
Today, I want to leave you with this thought: It’s so much fun to learn from history, isn't it? To see how fashion and ballet evolved side by side and influenced one another. I believe a little bit of time travel - a leap of imagination - can inspire your inner ballerina! And never underestimate the power of tulle, darling, as its light, airy elegance is a statement which truly crosses eras!
I hope you all enjoy your Tuesday, and let’s keep celebrating the beautiful, graceful artistry of ballet, and of course, the fabulous world of tulle! Remember, you’re a fashion diva in a pink tutu! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
See you next week for another #TutuTuesday, my dearest fashionistas! And remember, visit www.pink-tutu.com for more pink tutu love!
Lots of love and sparkle, Emma xx
