Hiya lovelies!
It’s your favourite pink-loving ballerina, Emma, back for another #TutuTuesday! Today, we’re stepping back in time to 1910, a year packed full of fabulous fashion and graceful performances! Imagine my excitement - a vintage Parisian theatre in 1910, with all its grand costumes and exquisite ballet. And of course, I made sure to have a fabulous, pink tutu for the occasion, complete with fluffy, cloud-like feathers, shimmering sequins and delicate bows!
My first stop in Paris was, naturally, the grand Opera Garnier, the embodiment of architectural grandeur. This building is a true masterpiece, so utterly majestic!
1910 Fashion, Fabulousness and a Flourish of Frills:
Imagine my delight, my dears! I felt as if I'd stepped into a living, breathing fashion magazine. Paris in 1910 was a haven for haute couture. Ladies adorned themselves in gorgeous floor-length dresses with flowing skirts, elegant hats that would make even the most discerning milliner jealous, and lace trimmed everything! They even wore tiny little parasols – all very ladylike. I imagine a lot of dainty gestures with lace gloves – oh, the elegance!
The dance world followed fashion trends closely. Imagine ballerinas dancing with billowing tutus in beautiful pale pink, and graceful swirls of silk adorned with gorgeous flowers - what a sight! I mean, can you imagine?! You’d see every color under the sun on those Parisian stages, especially during the famous Folies Bergère show. Now, I can't possibly write about 1910 fashion without mentioning Isadora Duncan, who was famous for performing in light, flowing garments, so much so, that it would literally become an essential feature of modern dance and theatrical style! It's truly inspiring how she moved so effortlessly and freely – she even danced barefoot, defying the rigid confines of Victorian tradition!
Oh, and remember when I was talking about elegance? That applies to gentlemen too. I’m talking impeccable tailoring, sharp suits and of course, a well-chosen hat! Can you even picture dancing under a glittering chandelier in such a beautiful setting? The elegant men would have been staring at the ballerina on the stage - imagine all that admiration and applause, especially with so many bright pink and vibrant outfits!
The Great Ballet Performances
1910 was an incredible year for ballet in Europe, with legendary ballets being revived. Imagine watching a live performance of Swan Lake with its famous white tutu and graceful movements, or perhaps witnessing the debut of Le Sacre du Printemps by Igor Stravinsky. My, my! That ballet broke all the rules with its raw energy, primitive rituals and revolutionary style. Imagine that energy, it would have truly left the audience gasping for breath!
And of course, the Parisian Opéra was the stage for these brilliant performers. Imagine dancing with Anna Pavlova, the famous prima ballerina who revolutionised classical dance and wowed audiences with her feather-light movements and elegant gestures, and the magnificent Vaslav Nijinsky. This incredible talent became a famous innovator with his revolutionary approach to movement - talk about a pioneer! He dared to go beyond the traditional, bringing fresh ideas to ballet, inspiring an explosion of movement styles in modern dance.
I can see it so clearly! The elegant gentlemen, the ladies dressed in lace, the shimmering dresses, and the ballerinas on the stage performing - what a truly magical time for ballet! Imagine the audience's cheers and their standing ovations for all those gorgeous performances.
A Trip by Train Through History
This time travel trip involved a fabulous train journey. Imagine a glorious carriage, velvet seats, windows wide open, and a scenic landscape flitting by as the engine chuffed along, a true reminder of what time travel by train is all about! It's a great way to soak up the history of the place and enjoy the changing scenery, and as I travelled from London to Paris, I even had a delicious, elegant tea party in a cafe with my travel buddy. It is incredible how times have changed but some things remain the same - like travelling by train.
It was so much fun watching these historical trends unfold. You see, a hundred years ago, dance and fashion went hand in hand, just like today!
So remember to enjoy a moment of grace in your own life. Have a little swirl, put on your pink tutu (even if you just wear it to the grocery store), and embrace a bit of playful whimsy! You’re beautiful, remember that!
Till next week, keep swirling in pink!
Emma x
