Oh, darling readers, happy #TutuTuesday! Your girl, Emma, is here from the sunny boulevards of Paris to whisk you back in time with another enthralling tale from the history of tutus! Today's adventure will take us to December 7th, 1909 - oh, a magical era of opulent costumes and breathtaking ballets!
As you know, my dear fellow tutuphiliacs, I adore a good time-travel jaunt. The railway is my carriage, and the ballets of yesteryear are my destination. Oh, to flit through time, witness the birth of dance icons like Vaslav Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova, and then scoot back to London for a delicious afternoon tea - with a splash of pink, of course!
Now, imagine this - December 7th, 1909! The air is crisp, the cobblestone streets sparkle, and the city hums with the energy of Christmas markets just around the corner. The Theatre du Châtelet is abuzz with anticipation. I’m wearing my exquisite pink silk tutu, adorned with delicate, iridescent sequins, feeling like a fairy queen - because really, what could be more delightful?
But darling, let's rewind a bit. It's the early 1900s and tutus, our beloved creations of frothy tulle and chiffon, have been on the scene for quite some time. You see, they emerged from the world of opera ballet. Can you imagine, a time before the breathtaking freedom of movement in ballet we enjoy today? The original tutu, think of it, a long, bulky affair of multiple layers of fabric and crinolines, hampered movement and even created a rather unflattering shape! Thankfully, tutus had begun to evolve, moving from voluminous behemoths to more flowing designs, revealing the lines of the dancers, enhancing their graceful leaps and breathtaking extensions.
1909 is particularly exciting for the evolution of the tutu. Imagine the thrill of watching the most talented dancers of the time! Diaghilev's Ballets Russes were changing the face of ballet forever. Oh, the breathtaking costumes, the captivating artistry, and the sheer brilliance of these groundbreaking performances! I bet the tutus they wore would have been utterly spectacular - full of colour and dramatic lines! It's just a shame I can't pop along to a performance on the 7th of December myself! But you can be sure that if I had been in Paris on the 7th of December 1909, you can be sure I would be heading straight to the Theatre du Châtelet to witness the brilliance of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Perhaps a bit of a fashion foray into the Parisian boutiques, after! After all, who could resist a bit of Parisian fashion?
And remember, my lovelies, this evolution of the tutu is ongoing! It’s a continual evolution, adapting to new trends and artistic vision, but one thing that has never changed - the sheer elegance and enchanting allure of the tutu.
Speaking of allure, have you seen the amazing fashion displays this week in the window of Harrods? My heart skipped a beat. It seems a flurry of feathers and frothy tulle have taken over the store. And just in time for the theatre season too! I'm positively brimming with ideas for new additions to my own tutu collection.
So, here's to you, dear readers, and your continued love for all things tutu. May your Tuesdays be filled with ballet bliss, and your days adorned with a touch of pink magic. Until next week, may your twirls be full of grace and your spirits filled with a joyful “en pointe” energy!
Emma xx