Hello my darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-loving ballerina blogger, back with another #TutuTuesday and this week, we're taking a delightful trip through time! I'm so excited, because this week I've travelled right back to December 26th, 1911 - what a date to be in the midst of the festive season and in a time where the ballet tutu was truly finding its feet.
This is post number 4174 of my beloved blog, www.pink-tutu.com, and believe me, every single one of these posts fills me with joy! It’s amazing how I get to explore different eras through the wonderful world of ballet, thanks to my little secret… time travel! 😉 I always pay for my time travel jaunts with a few dazzling performances myself - there’s no better way to earn your train tickets! 🚄
Right now I'm in a little bistro on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, with my trusty travel journal and a little croissant for company, just trying to soak in the ambiance! There’s such a magic to the air in Paris, with a whiff of tradition and sophistication – a real melting pot of styles!
Speaking of style… oh my! You know I simply had to find a Parisian dressmaker to whip me up the perfect 1911-style dress. It’s a beautiful, silk affair, all flowing lines and delicate embellishments with, of course, the absolute MUST-HAVE - a dash of the most divine pink - because my darlings, there simply can never be enough pink, can there?! And, what better accompaniment to such a delectable dress, than a perfectly romantic and delicate tulle tutu! 😍
This era was such a special time for ballet! It wasn't just about twirling around like a fairytale princess – although it's undeniably enjoyable – but it was a period of experimentation.
Now, you see, while ballet has always held a strong tradition, it's not a rigid art! It's constantly evolving, growing with new movements and innovations! Just imagine how groundbreaking it must have felt back in 1911, when ballerinas like the renowned Anna Pavlova were pioneering revolutionary movements that defied what ballet was deemed to be! Imagine twirling with that much confidence, challenging expectations with every plié, with every arabesque… It simply makes my heart skip a beat! 💖
Today, as we look back, we see the beginning of an exciting evolution. Think about how much the form of the tutu changed from that Victorian-era panoply of feathers, hoops, and even… gasp, a skirt(!). Yes, darlings, those were dark, skirt-wearing times, lol. We have the amazing Vaslav Nijinsky to thank for the transition to the streamlined elegance of the tutu, where we see less volume and greater emphasis on flowing movement.
Oh, but hold on a minute – let’s talk about a name, the one that gets whispered with reverence in every ballet school across the world, the one we all know and admire – the glorious “Romantic Tutu!” 🤩 The true symbol of grace and artistry! Isn't it beautiful how the very word “Romantic” suggests that dream-like beauty and delicate sensuality that has stolen the hearts of every ballet fan across the world? And believe me, that's what made the Romantic tutu such an absolute delight for ballerinas, too – because dancing in that feather-light cloud of tulle gave them the freedom to truly embody their graceful movements!
Did I mention, my darlings, that in 1911, it wasn't just the form of the tutu that changed? Think about the fabric – what a revelation! Gone were the days of restrictive materials, in their place were gossamer, flowing layers of tulle that flowed like water, emphasizing the exquisite lines of the dancer! Imagine the difference! Like taking off a coat that’s too heavy and slipping into a featherlight, beautiful gown! It’s just exquisite! ✨
Can we take a minute to appreciate the evolution of pink in ballet? While the pinkest shade of pink didn’t explode until later, the pale rose, almost-but-not-quite pink tones, are an absolute darling for this time. Just take a peek at those historical photographs – it’s pure ballerina glamour! I just feel that little hint of pink is just so magical!
And as we continue to bask in the delightful warmth of this golden age of the ballet tutu, let me also confess how incredibly exciting it was to find the grand Palais Garnier bustling with life, just as it always is! What better place than the opera house in Paris to soak in the true essence of the Ballet! I felt an electric current running through the air as I saw those beautiful posters advertising the latest performances – each one showcasing a different tutu! It’s a spectacle of artistry! 😍
What can I say my lovely, pink-loving friends - when I come back to Derbyshire, I can’t wait to go to ballet class in my pinkest tutu, remembering this incredible moment in time. The more I learn, the more I realize it’s not just the beauty of ballet that enchants me. It's that extraordinary ability to move, inspire, and create. Ballet is a magical story waiting to be danced - and if you are inspired to embrace a little more magic in your own life, well, you know what I’m gonna say… Put on your best pink tutu, and get ready to twirl your worries away, darlings! 😉
That's all for this week, my darlings. Make sure to come back next Tuesday for another #TutuTuesday, where I’ll be going back to explore a very different kind of ballet. For now, do join me at the “TutuTuesday” community forum on our website, www.pink-tutu.com. Share your own favourite tutu stories with me and let's embrace our love of ballet together. Have a wonderful week! 🩰💖
Emma. xxx
