Hey, darlings! Emma here, back again with another instalment of #TutuTuesday for your viewing pleasure. I'm delighted to whisk you away on another delightful jaunt through the enchanting history of the tutu, this time landing in the glorious year 1914. Now, gather round for a story as charming as a pirouette and as lovely as a rose-coloured sunrise!
This week's blog post is number 4304, and it's about a very special date, the 23rd of June 1914. Today, we're travelling all the way to... Paris! It wouldn't be a #TutuTuesday without a little trip to the capital of the ballet world, wouldn't it?
My travel preparations for this trip were as exciting as any first night performance. Choosing the perfect outfit was an adventure in itself. It was all about classic Parisian chic – think a flowing white silk dress with delicate lace details, my trusty pink ballet shoes and, of course, a feather boa for added flair! But the pièce de résistance was my absolutely glorious, shimmering pink tutu. You simply can't travel through time without making a statement, darling. And as far as statements go, there's none more dramatic than a dazzling pink tutu!
Now, you might be thinking – why Paris in 1914? Well, my lovelies, the ballet world was abuzz with anticipation! It was a year that would witness the blossoming of a legendary partnership: Vaslav Nijinsky and Sergei Diaghilev! The Ballets Russes, a group of incredibly talented dancers led by Sergei Diaghilev, had just captivated Paris the previous year with their dazzling productions like “The Firebird” and “Scheherazade.” But wait until you hear about this year's offering - the world premiere of “The Afternoon of a Faun” on this very day in 1914!
You might not believe this, but this famous ballet by Claude Debussy was actually almost a complete flop! 😨 It was supposed to be performed in a traditional romantic ballet costume but it got changed at the last minute! Now, this isn't a mere fashion detail. This sudden change sparked uproar! And controversy, my darlings, is the spice of life, and of history too, right?! I mean, the story goes that Diaghilev and Nijinsky (rumoured to be more than just dance partners…) decided at the last minute that Nijinsky would wear an all-white, skin-tight outfit and bare his chest! Scandalous! scandalous! Everyone in the audience was outraged! Talk about a stir! Can you imagine that – a man on stage, without a proper costume, almost naked in front of hundreds of people? 😱
This dance sparked a controversy about morality in art and dance. People weren't used to such unconventional expressions on the stage, especially from the very elegant and poised Nijinsky! But don't be fooled, darlings! This move set the stage, pardon the pun, for modern ballet. Suddenly, everything was possible. Choreographers could experiment with new movement styles and expressions. It marked a big change in ballet costumes as well, paving the way for new, expressive and revealing looks. Just imagine! A tiny, light and free movement on the stage, with a dance in response to nature's whispers. Oh, to see it live! To see it with my own eyes! I can imagine it being almost hypnotically beautiful. Just picturing Nijinsky in his light-coloured, silky and soft tunic as he leaps and pirouettes makes my heart dance! He is truly a legendary dancer who was a trailblazer.
I’m so glad we went on a journey back to 1914 and took a peek behind the curtain, metaphorically of course! You just can't imagine the joy and excitement I felt. To witness a piece of history that revolutionized the ballet world! We owe it to Nijinsky, Diaghilev, and Debussy to embrace the beauty and freedom expressed through this amazing, unconventional, revolutionary performance. You see, history has always been about breaking boundaries and challenging expectations and that is exactly what Nijinsky achieved! It was the epitome of freedom of expression in dance.
The "Afternoon of a Faun" wasn't just about an interesting piece of choreography. It was also a piece about art being beautiful in its simplicity and being daring and bold. Oh darling, if only we could get people to move freely in tutus! Just imagine a world where people don't hold back but express themselves in beautiful, twirling freedom, like a whimsical ballet scene! It is time for more movement, more freedom, more expressive beauty, more TUTUS in life. Yes, more tutus!!
As we sail off into the sunset from 1914, remember that fashion, beauty and art always evolve. But like a ballerina perfecting her pirouettes, there’s always a beautiful and graceful progression. From the iconic ballet shoes to the tutu that graces so many stages – ballet fashion never really stops inspiring! And with the future waiting to be twirled into shape, I know we’re in for a thrilling new chapter in the world of dance and fashion!
Until next week, darlings! Remember to twirl your way into the week ahead. And don't forget to wear pink!
And for the sake of beauty, remember to share the #TutuTuesday joy with the world and spread the love of pink tutus, dance, and all things beautiful.
Signing off with a flourish and a graceful curtsey,
Emma 🩰
www.pink-tutu.com
