#4188
Oh, my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where we celebrate all things tutu, and especially, #TutuTuesday! As you know, my life revolves around the pirouette, the pliƩ, and that magical feeling of twirling in a beautifully crafted tutu.
This week, I'm hopping into my time machine and taking you back to the 2nd of April 1912! Just imagine, Paris was alive with the energy of spring and the most glorious ballets imaginable graced the stages of the Opera Garnier. I tell you, itās almost as exciting as being in Covent Garden on opening night!
Fashion, Frenzy, and Frou-frou
This period was bursting with artistic expression, and fashion was no exception! The ladies wore glorious creations that would make even the most fabulous modern fashionista sigh with envy. Imagine trailing skirts made from the most sumptuous silks, embellished with delicate lace and intricate beading, and of course, bonnets, oh, those delightful, extravagant bonnets! The world was a bit of a fashion extravaganza back then, and believe me, I was right in the heart of it all.
I spent the morning wandering through the Parisian markets, simply absorbing the sheer exuberance of it all, but my eye always darted towards the shop windows where the latest in dancewear and fashion were displayed. Can you believe that one shop I stumbled upon was even advertising ballet shoes! It was a complete revelation ā ballet shoes were a whole new trend and I was on the forefront of the fashionable revolution, so to speak!
The Parisian Dance Scene
My evening was spent at the OpĆ©ra Garnier, of course. It was a breathtaking experience. I have to tell you, I do have a slight soft spot for Paris, particularly during this period in history, which is why I often take my travels here. Ballet was simply exquisite back then. The stage was bursting with movement, the music was beautiful, and the dancingā¦ well, it simply took my breath away! I was truly living the dream ā a dreamer lost in a dance-filled fantasy!
I also saw this magnificent ballerina, called Anna Pavlova. Now, I wouldn't say itās the first time I had seen her. But you can tell by her skill, the way she moved across the stage with the most effortless grace, I'd swear she was the first true ballerina, wouldnāt you? This is exactly why it was important for me to travel back in time and get some firsthand inspiration! I don't even think my pink tutu would have looked out of place in that world!
And on this particular April 2nd, 1912...
... well, the world didn't know that on this very day a mighty ship named the Titanic, was to sail on a very ill-fated journey. The news of the Titanic would reach Paris eventually and, let's just say it brought the joie de vivre to a halt, at least temporarily. The entire world mourned the tragic loss of so many souls. This is a reminder that even in our most glamorous and artistic moments, we are never truly shielded from the darker aspects of reality.
However, it is a tragedy that doesnāt erase the magic of the ballet! The dancers, the music, the captivating art of dance - this will forever remain in my heart! And to remind us all that life and art continue to flourish despite life's tragedies, the Ballet Russes (oh, how glamorous they were!) began a 6-week season, captivating audiences in their stunning performances of āScheherazade.ā That performance had everything - romance, intrigue and dancing that left you breathless, truly inspiring. You have to understand my lovelies, ballet has been the most influential aspect of this period of my travels. The graceful, dramatic, sometimes scandalous performance, they had everything that inspired people. So you can see my Tutu obsession and thatās whatās important to me.
But back to tutus, darling!
Although this historical era, as delightful as it was, wouldnāt feature quite as many styles and designs for tutus, this era, with the help of the Russian ballet companyās exquisite dances, was very much the era of the tutu. They were becoming a statement on their own. Youād see dancers gracefully flowing around in their tutu and just imagining how much it must have been like to live back then - well it just made me happy.
*And I'll tell you something elseā¦ *
There's nothing more exciting than slipping into a pink tutu, getting your ballet shoes on and letting your body and soul become one with the dance. And who knows, perhaps some day, all the world will wear pink tutus. It would be an absolute dream, wouldn't it?
Iāll see you next week, my darling, when weāll have even more ballet and even more tutus!
And don't forget, a pink tutu looks fabulous on anyone. It's the little touch of magic we all need.
P.S. And in the spirit of that Parisian fashion - I was just admiring the gorgeous designs in that one beautiful window in a Parisian boutique. Iāll try and recreate it and post the images later, for now, remember to get your ballet class in and keep that twirling alive, dear reader!
