Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-travelling blogger, ready to whisk you away on a whirlwind journey through the fascinating history of ballet.
Welcome to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com, where I'm always thrilled to share my passion for all things tutu with you! Today, we're stepping back in time, to the 13th of December 1910, a date ripe with theatrical magic, dazzling performances, and a whole heap of that iconic ballet look we all adore!
As I shimmied my way through a London Underground station earlier this week, a fleeting glimpse of a dancer in a full-length tutu on a poster sent a shiver of excitement down my spine. I’ve been dying to revisit the turn of the century, a time when ballet's graceful forms took the stage by storm. Let's embark on a delightful journey together, shall we?
#TutuTuesday: London CallingMy last stop was in the heart of London! Oh, the grand Victorian theatres, the cobbled streets lined with shop windows bursting with elaborate costumes, and the delightful air of anticipation that hangs over a city just on the cusp of another momentous era.
You know, on the 13th of December 1910, things were absolutely buzzing in the theatrical world. I spent the day flitting between rehearsals and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where they were putting on a performance of "The Marriage of Figaro", a classic play. Can you imagine the buzz of a grand old London theatre, filled with the elegance of a roaring twenties atmosphere but still with a touch of the Victorian era in the air? Oh, to have experienced the joy and delight of being an audience member there.
Now, don't you fret, my dears, I managed to squeeze in a little tutu-related treat in between my historical sojourns! It just wouldn't be a proper #TutuTuesday post without some discussion of the fashion, right?
Let’s Talk Fashion!
You might be surprised to know that, back then, tutus were mainly worn by female dancers on stage. In this era, short tutus with billowing, dramatic layers were all the rage! You see, those graceful ballerinas twirling their way across the stage had a real showstopper of a look! These tutus made of layers upon layers of netting were the epitome of airy, ethereal beauty, a true vision of elegance in motion. It was like the pièce de résistance for any dramatic scene.
You know, it’s hard to pick just one style as my absolute favourite back in the 1910s. Though I must confess I was completely captivated by the ballet dancer's "pas de deux" where their beautiful tutus would swirl with every step, highlighting their incredible form, a moment that stopped you dead in your tracks with awe.
Even off the stage, this era saw a flurry of fancy dress parties with feathers, pearls, and, of course, fluffy tutus. I even stumbled upon a fantastic shop called "Le Tutu Parisien", full of delightful costumes and fabrics just waiting for me to have a go at designing the ultimate vintage-inspired look. How fun was that?!
#TutuTuesday: Why 1910 is a Special Year for BalletOh, and let's not forget what a monumental year 1910 was for ballet in general! Imagine a world with an abundance of passionate, gifted dancers bursting to make their mark!
It was the year Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes hit London for the first time. What was that like, you ask? Imagine, darlings, a performance a true celebration of the beauty, strength, and creativity of the human form. This production had the entire city in raptures, captivated by its originality and daring movements. It was an unforgettable artistic statement.
That’s why 1910, as you might imagine, is one of the years I most adore travelling back to! You have the exquisite designs of costumes that had the stage glowing with vibrant colour and exquisite artistry. And then there were those daring dancers. All effortlessly gliding through every turn and leap! Talk about inspiration, darlings! And it's just not possible to talk about Ballet Russes without a little chat about the music, right? The stunning scores added another layer of artistic grandeur to the whole show!
#TutuTuesday: Travels by Train
Speaking of journeys, I have been absolutely smitten with the London underground. Oh, the bustle, the grandeur, and those intricate designs, you simply can’t find a place like it, really. And who can forget those luxurious railway journeys, with steam billowing and the rhythmic clackety-clack of the wheels on the track. I simply have to stop and say hello to those charming conductor gentlemen with their brass buttons.
I confess, I can’t help but picture them decked out in adorable tiny tutus, just for a touch of that sartorial flair I love so much! Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
But here’s my big secret: these journeys don't come free, my darlings. But a time traveller simply can’t afford fancy hotels, right? I am quite lucky though because all my time travelling is funded by performances – so I often dress up and dance on the stage in the evening to earn my trips through the ages! How wonderful it is that my love for ballet also fuels my adventures! I mean, who can say no to twirling through time and showing the world the joy of a pink tutu?
Don't forget, my loves!
Visit www.pink-tutu.com each Tuesday and journey with me through the magic of #TutuTuesday! And remember, you are never too old to wear a tutu, or a pink tutu. After all, my dears, I have just discovered it's an age-old trend in its own right, making a comeback decade after decade, thanks to my incredible travels and the love we have for this iconic look! It just shows you that time is not a barrier, right?
See you all next week!
