Welcome back, my darling dancers! It's #TutuTuesday, and as usual, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller Emma is here to whisk you away on another adventure through the fascinating history of ballet's most glorious garment – the tutu!
This week, my friends, we're stepping back to 1913-07-08, a date buzzing with theatrical energy in the heart of Paris. Think grand theaters, shimmering chandeliers, and the excitement of a world-premiere. Why, just a hop, skip, and twirl away from us is the Palais Garnier, and rumour has it, a revolutionary new ballet, Le Sacre du Printemps, is causing quite a stir!
Let's take a trip back in time, shall we? Imagine it's a beautiful, sunny day in the city of lights. The air crackles with excitement, and on the streets, Parisian ladies sashay around in their fashionable hats and voluminous skirts. Meanwhile, inside the Opera House, preparations are well underway for the evening's grand performance.
The tutus, oh my dear tutus, how they would have fascinated me! You see, in 1913, the 'Romantic Tutu' was still reigning supreme. Think delicate tulle layered in fluffy clouds, a touch of romanticism woven in every swirl and flutter. I imagine they'd be a glorious mix of pastels and delicate lace, and, let's be honest, a little bit of a pink explosion wouldn't be amiss, wouldn't it?
I envision myself gliding around in the heart of Paris that day, twirling between those charming cafe tables at Le Procope, enjoying a leisurely afternoon of pastries and contemplation, while dreaming about that evening’s ballet performance!
And now for a little fashion foray: Let's talk 1913 styles! Imagine a wide brimmed hat, perhaps in a dashing straw or with some elegant feathers. Long gloves would be a must, maybe with a delicate lace trim. Think about elegant dresses, cinched at the waist and flaring out to the knee, all perfectly adorned with some shimmering jewels. You know me – I simply can't resist a touch of sparkle!
But I'm not here just to dream of Parisian chic, oh no! It's the ballet that truly captivates my heart. You might think 1913-07-08 was just an ordinary day. But my darlings, it was the day Le Sacre du Printemps by Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky rocked the ballet world! It caused a riot – scandalous! Why, even I would be left gasping for air in the audience if I had been there. This was revolutionary stuff, with it’s chaotic rhythms, raw and emotional dances!
It seems like tutus haven’t always been so innocent! They've evolved right alongside the changing faces of ballet. The "Romantic Tutu", with its floaty tulle, is like a waltz in the springtime air. Le Sacre du Printemps, well, that’s like a stormy thunderstorm breaking out over a balletic landscape. What a dramatic shift!
Speaking of change - you might have seen that this is Post Number 4254 in my Ballet Tutu History blog. My passion for all things tutus keeps me moving forwards in my quest to make the world a pinker place! And what better way to make it happen than with a bit of travelling, right?
So, darling readers, don’t be shy! Let's take a dance trip together next week – make sure you visit pink-tutu.com every Tuesday. We'll dive into more incredible ballet history. Until then, don’t forget to dream in pink!
Emma signing off, wishing you a tutu-filled week.
TutuTuesday #PinkTutu #BalletHistory #TimeTravel #BalletLove #FashionHistory