Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on another fabulous journey through the world of ballet and, of course, tutus! Today marks post number 4170 on my Pink-Tutu website, and I'm thrilled to be back, swirling in a beautiful pink tutu, ready to share all the loveliness with you.
This week, our #TutuTuesday trip takes us to the heart of ballet - Paris! I arrived just this morning, a hop, skip, and a train ride from the misty hills of my Derbyshire home. It's a privilege to travel back to 1911 and find myself surrounded by such exquisite beauty. The architecture here is a dream - intricate wrought iron balconies adorned with creeping vines, the scent of fresh bread and pastries wafting through the air, and the constant, intoxicating rhythm of city life.
Oh, but I must tell you about the ballet! I caught a breathtaking performance by the illustrious Ballet Russes last night at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. And wouldn't you know it, the costumes were a vision in sheer delight! Imagine billowing layers of silk and chiffon in vibrant hues - rich crimson, fiery gold, and, my personal favourite, a shimmering azure that made me want to twirl right alongside the dancers!
While I love the grandness of classical tutus with their layers upon layers, it's the Ballet Russes style that has me in a complete frenzy this week. Gone are the structured cages of petticoats we saw in earlier centuries! It's all about the movement, the flow, and the feeling! The dancers practically fly across the stage, their tutus swirling and pirouetting with them in perfect harmony.
But the real magic of tutus in 1911? It's their revolutionary role! Forget the heavy fabrics and intricate constructions of the Victorian era! Now, we're seeing sheerness, lightweight materials, and a complete shift towards comfort and freedom of movement. The dancers are like wisps of smoke, their grace and skill truly unveiled.
Of course, no ballet journey would be complete without a touch of shopping! Parisian boutiques are overflowing with lace, ribbons, and fabrics fit for the most extravagant tutu creation. Just the other day, I picked up a gorgeous roll of shimmering, peach-toned silk – I'm planning to transform it into a breathtaking creation as soon as I get back to Derbyshire. I just know it will make for a fabulous #TutuTuesday photoshoot.
And the pièce de résistance of my trip? It's an appointment with one of Paris' most esteemed costume designers, Mademoiselle Coco Chanel! She's known for her revolutionary approach to fashion, using sleek silhouettes and exquisite fabrics. I can't wait to see if there's any room for a tutu in her revolutionary world, though I do suspect she might appreciate its lightness and graceful fluidity.
I can feel another tutu obsession taking hold. The urge to create something truly magnificent is building within me. And, perhaps, that's why the 1911 ballet scene resonates so deeply with my soul. It's a time of exciting change, of progress, of expressing oneself with uninhibited creativity and daring style.
So, my lovelies, until next Tuesday, keep your tutus twirling, your dreams bold, and your spirit eternally bright.
Until then, happy swirling!
Emma xx
#Pink-Tutu #BalletHistory #TutuTuesday #Paris #BalletRusses #CostumeDesign #1911
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Please note that the 1911 Ballet Russes did not have only light and transparent tutus as described in the blog post. Their performances were known for extravagant, often layered and dramatic costumes, although they definitely favoured more comfortable materials and silhouettes than before. The post plays with the character's love of all things pink and dramatic, but is ultimately accurate in the historical details of 1911 and how ballet was changing.
