Bonjour mes amies!
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where everything is pink and twirls are always encouraged! Today, weâre hopping in the time machine (powered by my sheer love of tutus, of course) and whisking ourselves back to 10th October 1911.
Ooh la la, 1911! The era of corsets, hats that could launch a ship, and oh, such a lovely bloom of creativity on the ballet scene. The dance world was abuzz with excitement and I tell you what, tutus were most definitely having their moment. The very word âtutuâ wasnât really around then, though, darling. It wasn't until the 1940s that this wonderful word found its way into ballet lexicons.
Now, my Derbyshire roots tell me a tale or two about this period. Fancy costumes, oh they were the most lavish things you can imagine, often costing more than a grand townhouse in the heart of London. But hereâs the thing, those dresses they wore, even if they werenât tutus yet, still twirled and shimmered on the stage. A symphony of colours! Silks and satin were de rigeur, with a real love for flowing and feminine designs. It was a golden age of movement and style on the stage, the perfect setting for my darling tutus to find their true home, just waiting to be christened!
Imagine yourself waltzing down the Champs-ĂlysĂ©es in Paris on a warm autumn evening. It's just like something out of a Renoir painting, wouldn't you say? And if you happen to stumble upon the ThĂ©Ăątre de l'OpĂ©ra de Paris, (always one for a little culture, darling!), then you'd witness the elegance of a Diaghilev production. Thatâs where we'll go, because who better to show us what fashion in ballet looks like than Sergei Diaghilev, the very man who was championing artistic revolution!
Today marks a rather exciting moment: the unveiling of his famous Ballets Russes, in London! The curtain goes up on âLe Carnaval,â a captivating work full of mischievous fairies and masked balls. Think a bit like your fancy dress party, only more chic and with a dash of Parisian panache. Oh, but wouldnât it be thrilling to see this on stage?! Now imagine all of those ballerinas in their flamboyant outfits! They were just divine! A little slice of fairyland, right here on earth.
What else did I spy while traveling in the annals of history today, my darlings? I happened to see some utterly remarkable dresses, all designed by Leon Bakst, with more swirling colors and decadent details than you can shake a feather boa at! Talk about opulent, even his âScheherazadeâ designs would give you butterflies! These outfits are absolutely what inspired my own tutu dreams â a dance of textures, a feast of visual delight! Imagine it, my dears: shimmering silk in every hue imaginable, layers of lace and a delicate dusting of sequins.
It was fascinating to observe how fashion and dance became inextricably intertwined. Those dancers weren't simply performing, they were walking, dancing billboards for the most captivating outfits. Itâs as though they were models in a perpetual motion picture.
The world of ballet back then was overflowing with elegance and creativity, just like a swirling dance of pink tulle and fluffy feathers. I'm sure this 10th October 1911, must have been quite a spectacular affair and a beautiful ode to the artistic brilliance that danced its way into history!
Speaking of dancing, donât forget, my sweet loves, this is TutuTuesday! So, as always, go forth and be as pink and twirly as your heart desires. Don't forget to tell me all about your pink tutu adventures on social media. Itâs time to share that passion and spread the love for tutus.
Until next time, keep those toes pointed and remember â a little bit of pink can brighten up even the dreariest day.
And donât forget to catch the #pinktutu train, travelling to the very best shows, galas and fashion events around the world! All aboard!
Yours in pink,
Emma x
