Hello darlings! Emma here, back for another installment of #TutuTuesday! It’s so wonderful to be back with all you lovely people again, bringing you the latest insights on ballet history and the glorious history of the ballet tutu.
Today, let’s set our time machines to December 2nd, 1913, and take a whirl back to the opulent days of Edwardian London. It was a time when glamour and extravagance reigned supreme, and the theatre was abuzz with all things beautiful. My goodness, just picture it! Gowns shimmering under the soft gaslight, and a buzz of anticipation in the air - it’s enough to make my heart flutter!
This time around, I wanted to take you on a little tour of the Royal Opera House - what an absolute gem! In this iconic venue, we'll catch the magnificent Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, wowing the London crowd with their avant-garde style and captivating artistry. It’s this ballet company, my lovelies, who truly put ballet back on the map! Think exotic, passionate, daring choreography - it's a true celebration of art and emotion!
So what’s the buzz this December 2nd? Well, London's in a state of pure excitement. A brand new production, "The Nightingale," has premiered. Now, I’m sure you’re dying to hear what this beautiful ballet has to offer! It's based on a fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, choreographed by none other than Michel Fokine, and this captivating production truly brought a magical fairyland to life on stage! And oh, did the audience just go wild! You know I couldn't miss out, and of course, I found a most delightful dress to wear to the premiere. The perfect ensemble for an elegant evening of artistic bliss!
A little Tutu Talk - But how could we, my loves, be at the theatre without taking a moment to dissect the gorgeous tutus of the ballet world? We mustn't let ourselves forget about the graceful, sweeping movements that these tutus were born to grace. For this particular ballet, we're looking at romantic tutus - all soft and swirling layers. No, these tutus aren’t your stiff, traditional "white-as-snow" tutus from the classical repertoire. These tutus are airy, ethereal, almost weightless - just imagine, a flutter of movement like a beautiful bird in flight!
This brings me to one of my absolute favourite things! Tutued Out - Oh, darling! How I love me a trip to Harrods, a true mecca for fashionable souls! And when I heard about the exquisite new tutus for The Nightingale, I simply had to get my hands on one! Imagine, delicate, pale pink, swishing gracefully in time with my twirls! Oh, it’s perfection! Harrods, with its elegance and unparalleled choice, always provides the perfect backdrop for a truly magnificent day of shopping and a sprinkle of fashion inspiration! You just wouldn’t believe the tutus! All those tulle layers, those exquisite embroideries, those romantic ruffles... It truly makes me wish I was back there!
Let’s talk trains, my lovely ladies! How wonderful are the journeys? As a ballerina on a mission, trains provide the perfect way to travel. There's just something about the rhythmic sway of the carriage that makes me feel right at home, ready to explore new sights and, of course, admire new styles and trends!
Oh! And do you want to hear a fun fact? I managed to find a few photos of this spectacular night. It’s truly captivating to see how the dance moves and expressions of the dancers, along with their costumes, take us back to a time gone by. Just remember to think of the energy that they were generating in those days, to truly bring those characters to life!
So, I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again: Life’s more fun in a pink tutu!
What will be your #TutuTuesday for next week?
Remember, I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, my loves!
Have a tutu-tastic week and let's spread the love of the pink tutu everywhere!
Yours in ballet,
Emma
P.S. - Check out my blog, www.pink-tutu.com for more tutu-licious updates, photos and vintage delights. Let’s turn the world pink one tutu at a time!
