Hello, darlings! It’s Emma, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, here for another delightful edition of #TutuTuesday! Buckle up your pointe shoes and get ready to embark on a journey to the past – because this week, we’re stepping back to 1914, a year buzzing with excitement and, of course, stunning ballet.
I do love the elegance of the turn of the 20th century, it feels like the time of graceful dances, elegant gowns, and tea parties filled with gossip – everything just screams sophistication, and it's utterly enchanting! So I put on my pinkest tutu, grabbed my trusty time-travel satchel (stuffed with a little lace, just in case), and hopped aboard a beautiful steam train (I adore vintage train journeys – the carriages are so beautifully appointed, just perfect for taking notes, don’t you think?).
Now, this time travel thing, it takes some serious practice, especially with the way my pink tutu sometimes catches the wind and makes the whole carriage float like a ballerina in a whirlwind. But trust me, darlings, it’s worth it for a little fashion inspiration, particularly from a time where ballet became ever so popular.
Speaking of which, 1914! Where do we even begin? Oh my, let’s take a little peek, shall we?
A Waltz Through 1914: A Year of Ballet & Beauty
The world was changing. Technology was galloping forward and we were in the midst of the Roaring Twenties just starting, but ballet, ah, ballet remained a beacon of pure beauty and graceful expression!
You see, it’s in the first years of the twentieth century, specifically 1909, when ballet's trajectory changed with the birth of the Ballet Russes. This touring ballet company, featuring the dazzling, the inimitable, Vaslav Nijinsky, swept through Europe, enchanting everyone in its wake. It was his leaping, his passion and expression that was quite simply electric.
Yes, ladies, even then ballet became more than a stage performance. It was an artform infused with glamour and style, making its way into every facet of fashion. Ballet dancers inspired women with their graceful poise and elegance, their flowing silhouettes, and the beautiful lines of their costumes. This had a massive impact, darling! Everywhere you looked, you saw hints of ballet in clothes: full skirts for evening wear, silk tunics paired with flowing chiffon wraps – oh my, how beautiful. It was all so dreamy!
Even the tutus, my beloved tutus, started evolving, getting lighter and shorter to accommodate this new era of expressive movement, just like the dresses for the society ladies! Isn’t it so fascinating? You can practically see the ballet dancer’s graceful gestures reflected in a woman’s elegant posture, her hand on a fan or cup, in the very way she would carry herself. It’s magic, I tell you!
But 1914 brought more than just dance: The world was starting to feel a sense of change with the great World War I looming. But still, within this era, ballet shone bright – a glorious escape from reality and an opportunity to bask in artistic expression. And you know what, my dears? We need to continue to dance, especially through tough times.
That’s what my #TutuTuesday is all about: spreading a little magic and sunshine, bringing out that beautiful inner ballerina, and reminding everyone that a dash of pink, and a swirling tutu, are the perfect tools to make the world a little more whimsical and a lot more delightful!
So, let’s take inspiration from those graceful, elegant ballerinas of the past, embrace their style and spirit, and twirl into the week with joy and confidence! And don’t forget, my dears, keep that tutu handy! Because who knows, you just might inspire someone else to do the same, starting a delightful chain reaction of twirling happiness around the world.
Until next time, stay beautiful, stay playful, and don’t be afraid to dance!
Much love,
Emma
P.S. Speaking of beautiful things, I did manage to catch a spectacular performance at the Paris Opera this time! I had to snag myself a vintage ballet slipper for my collection from a delightful little boutique in the charming Saint Germain district. It's delicate lace with the faintest touch of rose and silver glitter and it's perfectly pink. They say it was part of a costume, I don't know but I just knew it belonged with me! Now, it's safely nestled in my collection back at my little apartment in Derby, nestled among all my lovely ballet memorabilia! But don't worry, it will get its time to shine again when I get back to Paris next week!
Until next #TutuTuesday!
