Hello dears! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and self-proclaimed time-traveling ballerina. Today is #TutuTuesday, and I'm delighted to whisk you all away to the 13th of July 1915 for a little ballet history escapade!
My trusty time machine (powered by, of course, a copious amount of pink tutu magic) landed me smack-dab in the heart of Paris, the epicentre of all things stylish, sophisticated, and decidedly tutu-worthy. Oh, the glamour! I just love this era! Paris is absolutely bursting with creativity.
The French capital has always been a haven for ballet, and the year 1915 is no exception. The Palais Garnier, a glorious spectacle of grand architecture and lavish decor, is the centre of it all. As I stepped into its grand foyer, I couldnât help but let out a little âoooh la la!â. I felt surrounded by the ghosts of ballet history. Can you imagine Anna Pavlova or Vaslav Nijinsky twirling across this very stage? What a privilege!
You know, I was quite excited to see how tutus had evolved by this time! You see, 1915 was a period of artistic exploration and artistic evolution in ballet. Gone are the full and cumbersome tutus of earlier decades. They are still flowing and elegant, of course, but now have more movement and lightness, perfect for the faster and more athletic dance styles. They have become even more glamorous, don't you think?
As I perused the shops near the theatre, I was captivated by the craftsmanship of the beautiful fabrics and embellishments adorning the tutu-like creations. Lace, silk, feathers, and an array of dazzling rhinestones were just the start of what Paris had to offer! My travel purse (with its rather cute tiny pink ballet slipper charm) was nearly bursting by the time I finished my shopping spree. I am a hopeless romantic when it comes to these vintage designs! I even managed to score an original 1915 edition of âThe Ballet Annualâ which details the yearâs highlights in ballet. You could say I was practically bursting with excitement.
You may be wondering what made today so special? Well, darling, today is the 13th of July! That means the world-renowned Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, is likely gracing the stage at the ThÊâtre du Châtelet with a dazzling performance. What a treat! I had to snag a ticket, even though the seating is somewhat restricted thanks to the War effort (Iâll save you the politics for another blog, darling). But I donât care a fig! Pavlovaâs grace and artistry are legendary and her âDying Swanâ is one of the most famous pieces ever created. Imagine those delicate moves and that incredible tutu ⌠It makes me positively giddy. I cannot wait!
You can find the most exquisite tutu-inspired designs from this era, dears! If you happen to have an opera house in your own neighbourhood, do check out their gift shop â you may be lucky to find some hidden treasures! They are often tucked away behind the scenes, in those dusty drawers with vintage ballet shoes and old dance programmes, waiting to be uncovered. Just keep your eyes peeled. Or if youâre more the shop-from-the-comfort-of-your-armchair-and-in-a-pink-tutu type of person, do search online â youâll be surprised by the gems that can be unearthed!
To end this lovely trip down #TutuTuesday memory lane, letâs take a moment to celebrate how tutu designs have truly evolved! Each era brings its unique expression of grace, creativity, and femininity through the medium of tutus!
Remember, dears, every single day is an opportunity to celebrate our own inner ballerina! Wear a pink tutu today! Until next Tuesday!
Love,
Emma
