Bonjour, chérie! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! It's #TutuTuesday, which means it's time for another voyage through the captivating history of ballet and the ever-so-fabulous tutu! Today, my lovelies, we're waltzing back to February 17th, 1914. Grab a cuppa, a little something sweet, and settle in! This week, we're about to unearth some sartorial treasures…
Oh, you know me, I absolutely adore travelling through time in my pretty pink tutu, seeing what's happening in the ballet world – the shows, the trends, the outfits – it's just divine! It’s always a delightful adventure, particularly when I'm able to unearth hidden gems in ballet's glittering past. And this week? Well, let me tell you, the year 1914 was a rather dazzling one for ballet!
Paris, the City of Light – and Tutus!
We’re landing in Paris this week, the absolute centre of the ballet world! I adore the elegance, the sophisticated energy of the Parisian stage, the beauty of the choreography, and of course, the most glamorous fashion!
In 1914, the Paris Opera Ballet was still firmly on the rise! Oh, the grandness! This time around, I'm a little giddy just thinking about the costumes I'll be seeing! It's the golden era for the tutu, my lovelies! This is the moment they become more than just a dance garment; they become works of art themselves, full of romance and captivating beauty!
Now, the tutu that would dominate the next half century was on the horizon, a glorious swirl of airy tulle, delicately and romantically dancing around the stage! But for now, the 'tutu' in 1914 could be slightly longer – more of a diaphanous, almost floor-length skirt! And oh, the colours! Imagine beautiful shades of sky blue and pastel pinks – just like my tutu!
But hold on a minute! In 1914, this incredible garment was still referred to as the “tulle skirt!” Now, it doesn't quite have that magical, dance-like ring to it, does it? Oh, how I love the term “tutu” – so elegant, so perfectly describing the ethereal grace of this most iconic dance costume!
Tutu-licious Fashion in the City of Lights
While the Paris Opera Ballet was leading the world with their beautiful stage creations, fashion off-stage was starting to pick up on the magic of the “tulle skirt” I adore how fashions started incorporating ballet style - the sheer tulle, the airy volume - they were beginning to translate into all sorts of clothes - even dresses and evening gowns! Think about it – it's that delightful, elegant feel of a ballet tutu brought into everyday life. Talk about ballet inspiring everyday beauty!
And can we talk about the fabulousness of this era's headwear? The elaborate hats! There are so many examples: feather boas, hats adorned with tulle themselves, or maybe some perfectly placed flowers... Think of the amazing accessories! The earrings, bracelets, necklaces and even beautiful brooches! And of course, shoes were paramount – a little touch of sparkly, a tiny satin bow, a dainty buckle… the 1914's fashion was absolutely magical!
I’m sure that my journey through this vibrant year in Paris will lead to some exquisite fashion finds! It’s going to be utterly delightful – ballet and fashion in perfect harmony – the combination truly excites me.
My 1914 Travel Itinerary: Fashion & Shows!
Right, enough of all this dreaming, it’s time to put my plans in order, so I can make the most of my time in this beautiful city. It all begins with, of course, a fabulous train journey! Now, who could resist the glamour of the French railways! That grand and luxurious setting just gets the adrenaline flowing! And of course, all of that travel will be done in the ultimate symbol of grace and elegance, my pink tutu, of course! I always make a grand entrance, whether I'm walking down the street or travelling across Europe in style!
Now, to the heart of my trip: The Paris Opera Ballet is my priority. I am dying to see a performance of the Ballet Russe! My dearest friend, Sasha, from Moscow, told me all about it last year and she insisted it was simply incredible! She also promised I wouldn’t be able to resist the dazzling sets and magnificent costumes. And honestly, could I possibly pass up a show in the city where it all started? Impossible! And speaking of shows, it's going to be simply wonderful to see Anna Pavlova in performance! A legend, a star of our times! It’s almost surreal that in a couple of years she'll be performing at a dance show with a name like "Pavlova" as the main star! Isn't it utterly exciting? It's a true joy for a ballet enthusiast like me to be part of such history.
My time in Paris wouldn't be complete without a shopping spree! And when you're in Paris, it's simply impossible to leave the famous Grands Magasins empty-handed. I hear they're selling these incredibly delicate lace dresses – I adore the beautiful textures and patterns of the finest laces, with tulle as a delightful addition! Oh, it's the perfect touch of Parisian sophistication for a ballet dancer! It’s guaranteed that my suitcases will be filled with beautiful, new clothes, oh the delight!
Paris 1914: More Than Just Fashion!
While Paris 1914 was all about glitz and glamour, a world-changing event was on the horizon. As a history lover, I can’t ignore the gravity of this period, the impending world war casting a shadow over all these delightful moments in Paris, and in the dance world, too. It's so important to remember the history of the era and the world events around the dances, costumes, and even our fashion choices! And the story doesn't end here – next week, I'll explore the challenges of the World War, and how, despite everything, ballet and dance still persevered and continued to thrive.
#TutuTuesday's Pink Inspiration:
To celebrate this extraordinary moment in history, my lovelies, let's explore the delightfully soft hues of a 1914 tutu – like a pastel pink, perhaps! This delicate, gentle colour was absolutely favoured back then, and honestly, it just melts my heart, it's so lovely. Imagine a soft blush-toned tulle dress, a feather boa, and an exquisite hair comb, perfectly complementing that lovely shade of pink – oh, the graceful, effortless femininity. Now that is a dance-worthy look, my loves.
Don't forget to visit the blog next Tuesday for another enthralling exploration through time. If you’re feeling extra daring, maybe, just maybe, wear your own little bit of pink tutu magic this week! I’m a big fan of accessorising - think a little tulle for a scarf, a pink-hued ribbon tied around your wrist. Just let your inner ballerina shine!
Until then, dance gracefully and let your inner fashionista be inspired!
Love, Emma x
