Welcome, my darlings, to #TutuTuesday, blog post number 4269! It’s a bright and beautiful Tuesday here in London town, the very air tinged with the excited buzz of the upcoming ballet season. Just like a sprinkle of glitter on a freshly pressed silk, the anticipation hangs in the air. Oh, to be a butterfly flitting through this most delightful of worlds! But before we get caught up in all that wonderful chaos, let’s take a little journey back in time, shall we?
Imagine, my dears, the year is 1913. The Edwardian era is in full swing, and fashion is a whirlwind of elegance and whimsy. Tight bodices, cascading skirts, feathers and floral flourishes... oh, I adore this period for its delicate charm!
Of course, fashion isn’t all frills and fluff – especially when it comes to the ballet. On this very date, October 21st, 1913, the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is buzzing with the opening of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, the most talked about and exciting ballet company of the era.
It’s an explosion of colours and movement that sets London alight. Think vibrant costumes, bold music, and dancers who, quite frankly, dare to defy convention. It’s a scandalous, exquisite delight! And just like those daring Russian dancers pushing the boundaries of ballet, the tutu is evolving.
This era, you see, marks the end of the fluffy, full-length Romantic era tutus. Those big, frilly affairs were beautiful, of course, but for the fiery Russian dancers, they weren’t practical! We’re starting to see a shift towards a shorter, tighter tutu, allowing for greater freedom of movement and allowing audiences to see the intricate footwork and daring leaps.
I absolutely adore the way these early short tutus embraced a streamlined silhouette, creating the impression of a swift, graceful, and athletic figure. And just imagine how those daring dance steps – high leaps and thrilling jumps, would have electrified the audience. They weren’t just dancing, they were storytelling. The air throbbed with their expressive energy.
Imagine yourself at the Royal Opera House in 1913. I'm standing in the balcony, my pink tulle tutu twirling softly in the cool air. Around me are London's fashionable ladies, their dresses swirling like clouds, their hats a flurry of feathers and blooms. They watch in hushed awe as the dancers on stage tell their stories through dance, the fabric of their costumes echoing their emotions, swirling with each captivating twist and turn. The air is charged with a palpable energy – an electric dance of beauty and boldness that just captures you.
Now, this may be a trip back in time, but the spirit of dance – the passion, the beauty, the boundless creativity – it never fades. That spirit of pushing boundaries, of challenging convention, is something I live by, just like these amazing ballerinas of the past!
*Just like those audacious Russian dancers, I want to see the world swirling in pink tulle. * And, perhaps, just perhaps, some day in the future, we'll be revisiting the history of tutus on #TutuTuesday, and talking about this bold new age of tutu fashion. Imagine, tutus that are not just a ballet item – imagine them being worn everyday, with street wear, and on the catwalk. That is the ultimate goal, isn't it? A future where the spirit of the ballet tutu dances through the very heart of fashion!
Oh my dears, that's it for this week. Remember, the journey of a ballerina is not just about dancing – it's about embracing the extraordinary within us all. So, let your spirit twirl and swirl like a tutu in the wind!
And, just a quick update for my time-travelling followers – I've got my eye on some lovely vintage dresses for my next performance in Derby, a true throwback to this exciting era of 1913. There's just something magical about donning a piece of history and stepping back into those sparkling Edwardian ballrooms!
Until next week, darlings. Happy twirling!
Yours in pink tulle,
Emma
