Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another time-hopping adventure, this time landing smack-dab in the middle of 1910! Oh my, what a glorious era for ballet tutus! This Tuesday's topic is all about the grand ladies of the stage and the breathtaking tutus they wore. So put on your pinkest pair, grab a cuppa, and settle in for a delightful trip down memory lane.
Now, if you're imagining the super-short tutus we see today, you need to re-set your mind. 1910 was the heyday of the romantic tutu, the type with long, billowing layers of tulle, flowing almost to the floor like a ballet cloud! They were just so graceful! Picture it: shimmering, pale pink, shimmering with sequins, maybe a hint of embroidery, oh, the artistry! It was all about delicate femininity and creating a fairytale atmosphere.
Why are these tutus so fabulous? It's all about the magic! They're utterly feminine, soft and ethereal. Think of a wisp of smoke, dancing on the wind. Imagine a swan, its plumage just begging to take flight. That's the magic of the long tutu – it literally enchants you! You just can't help but be swept away by the wonder.
My trip this week brought me to a ballet performance in the heart of Paris, oh darling! I am just absolutely besotted with this city and their love of ballet. This year, Paris hosted an incredible event, "La Belle Époque", a celebration of artistic elegance and everything beautiful about the late 19th and early 20th century. Ballet, oh darling, played a huge part! There was this incredible piece by Serge Diaghilev – yes, I just had to see him for myself – a coup de théâtre named *"L’Oiseau de Feu," (that translates to "The Firebird," for any of you who don't know!). You just HAVE to get to a performance of this if you have the chance. The costumes? Divine. The ballet itself? It brought tears to my eyes, the grace and artistry were exceptional! It truly felt like magic!
And did you see the tutus, darling? Imagine my absolute joy – the women on stage looked like nothing less than fairy princesses. I don't think my heart can contain the sheer excitement – I just want to buy every shop on this beautiful Parisian boulevard and adorn the whole street in tutus. I’m on the hunt for the most incredible tutus, something special. That’s the best thing about this job, all those vintage outfits are waiting to be discovered in dusty antique shops, oh darling, they’re simply waiting for me to find them!
But back to 1910: imagine a train carriage. I know, it seems out of place in this blog post, but stick with me here. A train carriage, not the stuffy ones we use now, but an opulent train of the time with big windows and red velvet seats, it was as magical as the dance itself! Picture a young ballerina, fresh-faced and wearing a light blue, long-flowing tutu, carrying a bouquet of daisies. That’s exactly what I saw! There's something about train travel in those days, something charming and elegant about the entire experience. It truly embodied that era's passion for beauty.
This week, I'm dreaming of tutus of the romantic era: think diaphanous layers, swathes of tulle, maybe a bit of sequined lace. Imagine dancing beneath the twinkling lights, the music sweeping through the air, and the feel of the light tulle swirling around your ankles, It's all I can do to resist taking my time-travel device for a spin!
I must remind you, lovelies, that your support helps me time travel and visit these magical, beautiful moments in ballet history! So, be sure to subscribe to Pink Tutu, and check out our website www.pink-tutu.com You know what to do, my darling! Get out your tutu, pink or not, get dancing and get those hearts beating!
Until next Tuesday, I'll be busy dancing and dreaming of my next trip!
