Hello darlings, and welcome to #TutuTuesday, the day we delve into the glorious history of ballet and, of course, the wondrous world of the tutu! Today's journey takes us all the way back to the 12th of March, 1912 - oh, such a delightful date! My pink tulle is positively quivering with anticipation. Buckle up, dearies, because this post is going to be a whirlwind of twirling and historical facts!
This week, we're going to take the Orient Express - that delightful steam train which takes us all the way to the heart of Paris, the ballet capital of the world. This city is, of course, the beating heart of the tutu world! Imagine all the luxurious shops bursting with exquisite silks, satins, and the most delightful layers upon layers of tulle. We're about to witness a truly enchanting period in ballet history.
(Emma does a pirouette in her pink tulle tutu)
Now, 1912 saw some extraordinary advancements in ballet. It was a time when tutus, already a sight to behold, were getting even more elaborate! Just imagine the scene, a flurry of tulle, a touch of sparkling jewels, and those gorgeous, ethereal colours. Imagine a graceful dancer gliding across the stage, a vision in soft pastel pink, a touch of heavenly blue, and oh, perhaps a hint of the most darling yellow, dancing to a captivating symphony of music.
Now, the most popular style back then was what we call the "Romantic tutu." Think a little cloud of tulle that makes a dancer's every step an absolute dream. The tutus had several layers of tulle, creating this billowing, ethereal look that emphasized the movement. Think graceful and dreamy, all wrapped up in that beautiful, floating cloud of soft, pale-hued tulle. A true symbol of romanticism.
The other, and perhaps even more spectacular, type was the "Classical tutu." These beauties are known for their structure. Picture an exquisite, shorter skirt, all tight and sleek with precise tiers of tulle - making it perfect for those spectacular, high leg extensions and those jaw-dropping, heart-stopping leaps. These tutus truly capture the elegant lines and dramatic, technical skill that ballet is famous for!
Oh, but imagine! The theatres in 1912! Just picture yourself strolling into a Parisian theatre, with its plush velvet seats and glimmering chandeliers. As the curtain rises, the orchestra strikes up a breathtaking melody, and then – you see them, those beautiful dancers, adorned in their delicate tutus. Pure enchantment, darling!
It’s all so beautifully detailed - even the pointe shoes. Gone were the flat shoes that had been common in earlier ballet history, and in their place came the gorgeous pointe shoes. Imagine, the ballet world stepping into the pinnacle of grace with these shoes, meticulously crafted, allowing those awe-inspiring pointe work and exquisite en pointe work! The entire art form was evolving right before their eyes!
**(Emma adjusts her pink tutu with a small, delighted giggle).
Don’t think for a minute that everything in ballet was a perfect dance on roses in 1912! As you may know, dear readers, the era saw many changes. In fact, we are going through something rather fascinating right now - what's being called “the Diaghilev revolution"! A change as huge as those revolutionary "trousers" the suffragettes were wearing! Yes, Sergei Diaghilev brought us new forms of ballet and the world watched, enchanted, as we experienced something new. These new dances and styles challenged everything, dear readers. Just like some folk are calling for changes in "our world," in our day, in ballet as we know it. But one thing, darling, never changes - the magic of the tutu!
And speaking of change, I've been thinking about a new tutu collection. A bold and playful blend of those historical elements we’ve been talking about – a fusion of classic lines and dramatic flourishes. Imagine, a tutu that embodies this spirit of progress. A nod to the past, yet with a bold, forward-thinking attitude. You've gotta get that bold colour! Perhaps a splash of vivid pink and a hint of bold yellow with perhaps a little nod to black – like that sleek, stylish tuxedo suit! We will, as always, make it our aim to add some gorgeous, elegant, exquisite and, of course, practical designs in my new collection!
And now for my very special "Tutu Fact" – that lovely little tidbit about tutu history! The very first pointe shoes were designed for a particular, much-loved ballerina, a darling named Marie Taglioni. Now imagine! She twirled through the theatre stage and was so enchantingly, beautifully, gloriously light on her feet and then we, in all our finery and joy of life, in 1912 all decided that all we ever wanted to be, was just like her, and in all our beauty and all our glory we donned our tutus! And yes, that little tutu tidbit explains why ballerinas became just as revered as celebrities in all of their glorious costumes. In fact, if you were to go into one of these shops you’d find ballerinas being dressed and presented by none other than these fine gentlemen from Paris! A real love affair, between elegance and beauty!
**(Emma looks up from her laptop with a sparkling twinkle in her eye and a delicate pirouette)
It’s a fabulous world to be in, ladies! Let's bring that glorious passion to all things fabulous and dance through life, full of hope, passion, grace, and of course, with that beautiful flair! Do follow me for more exciting ballet insights and some incredible stories of the wonderful ballet world, next Tuesday.
Don’t forget to share your Tutu Tuesday fun on our www.pink-tutu.com site and of course our Twitter! You're a beauty! Oh! and don’t forget those ballerina buns and all things lovely and feminine! Have a lovely week. And you'll know where to find me. I'll be at a grand London theatre taking in one of my favorite ballets. A little bit of fashion, some culture, a spot of ballet, and a beautiful pink tutu!
(Emma's fingers tap the pink bow on her tutu)
#TutuTuesday
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