Bonjour, darlings!
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another delightful journey through time! This week, we're whisking ourselves back to 1910-07-26, and I've just got to share with you all the exciting fashion discoveries I made! You know me, I adore tutus, so when I discovered a whole host of fabulous styles swirling around in 1910, my pink heart fluttered with delight.
Today's date has a lovely little story tucked away in the pages of ballet history, but before I divulge the details, let me paint a picture of the scene for you! Imagine, darling, Paris in the early 20th century. It’s a whirlwind of stylish sophistication. Men are all dashing in top hats and suits, while ladies are swishing in beautifully tailored gowns. Now, picture this amidst all the elegant chic – the ballet!
Ah, ballet. It was blooming in France like a magnificent pink rose. And believe me, my lovely readers, the ballet scene was truly bursting with stunning outfits. This was the era of Romantic ballet – an era that made the most dramatic, breathtaking costumes and emphasized fluidity of movement.
On our time-travel journey today, we must, of course, acknowledge the incredible influence of Marius Petipa, a genius in choreographing some of the most stunning ballet masterpieces. "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty", and "The Nutcracker" were born from his imagination! His meticulous attention to detail meant ballet costumes became like floating works of art, a masterpiece of fashion woven together with music and dance. I'm pretty sure the audience would gasp at every pirouette, darling.
This period in ballet history was so influential in defining the classic tutu as we know it. Imagine it – layers of tulle flowing as a ballerina takes flight, it’s just simply magical! This was the time when those gloriously short and perfectly flared tutus came into vogue. These weren't the stiff, pancake-like versions that later came in fashion. 1910 saw a whole spectrum of creative designs – tutus with full and cascading layers of netting that shimmered and flowed with each movement, making every step look graceful and effortless. Imagine how delicate and feminine they must have been! This period, truly a glorious time for ballet and its gorgeous attire.
This leads us perfectly to our little date fact -On this day in 1910, the brilliant choreographic genius Sergei Diaghilev decided to spice up the scene by forming the Ballets Russes company. Their first Paris premiere was a smash hit, sending a tidal wave of colour and excitement across the stage! Diaghilev, my darlings, embraced a new style of ballet, incorporating bold colours and dramatic silhouettes – think vibrant silks, velvet, and oh-my-goodness, dazzling jewel-toned costumes! These weren’t your delicate, muted pastel shades - they were a glorious burst of vibrancy and opulence. Imagine those costumes moving on stage - a swirling symphony of art and spectacle!
With this bold new aesthetic, Ballets Russes gave the world of ballet an exciting new dimension, further driving the creation of a more elaborate and striking tutu. In short, Ballets Russes was a true catalyst for the evolution of the tutu!
Now, I’ve already confessed my deep love of tutus and all their intricate frills and tulle – but how could I resist sharing a personal experience, my dear readers? Recently, I stumbled upon an antique shop filled with amazing vintage treasures, and there, nestled between a stack of vintage teacups, was an exquisite ballet tutu. A classic design, but what was fascinating was its age – I could tell this had danced across some fabulous Paris stage a century ago! It's now sitting in my little boudoir back in Derbyshire, England. I wear it every Tuesday when I get back from travelling for #TutuTuesday. My family call it my lucky tutu, it’s an elegant little reminder of all the beauty and elegance of the ballet, particularly those lovely tutu-wearing ballerina ladies.
Let’s face it, the magic of tutus is real. Whether they’re made from the softest silk or the most luxurious tulle, these incredible garments are all about joy and beauty, a symbol of all things glamorous and enchanting, just like dancing!
Until next week, stay radiant and remember - the only thing better than a pink tutu is... a pink tutu with your best friend! Now get out there and spin!
Emma
P.S. Be sure to follow me on social media – find “Pink Tutu” on all the popular sites for regular fashion updates! I’ll be posting a gallery of those gorgeous costumes on the Ballets Russes Facebook page for you to check out!
And, for all you fashion-lovers out there, www.pink-tutu.com is having a HUGE sale this week! You can get 25% off all our exquisite, pink tutu accessories and fancy clothes – use code BALLET1910 at checkout! Hurry! Sale ends Friday!
See you next week!
