Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling ballet aficionado, back with another peek into the glorious history of the tutu! I just adore travelling through time - and nothing beats whizzing through the eras in a perfectly twirling, fluffy pink tutu! This week, my time machine deposited me in the thrilling year of 1917. Let's dive in, shall we?
1917: A Time of Change and Innovation
Imagine this - 1917! The world was still reeling from the start of the First World War, but ballet was a beacon of beauty and grace. Paris, darling, was still the epicentre of ballet. As always, the fashion scene was positively bubbling with inspiration. And oh, the tutus! You see, in 1917, the Romantic tutu, a darling of the mid-1800s, was still very much in vogue! Long, flowing layers of tulle, romantic and ethereal – just perfect for swirling and twirling!
Imagine a ballerina like Anna Pavlova, one of the most celebrated dancers of the time, taking to the stage in a fluffy tutu. Her moves, fluid and poetic, must have looked heavenly, wouldn't you say? Just picture the layers of tulle billowing as she leaps and turns – divine!
But here's the exciting thing! A new wave of choreographers, with their bold and modern vision, were also influencing tutu design! They embraced shorter, tighter tutus, ones that revealed more of the dancer's leg and allowed for even more impressive feats of strength and agility.
This time period was all about evolution and expression!
Ballet Performances in 1917
I just love going to see ballet performances – there's nothing quite like the energy, the passion, the art!. I had the pleasure of witnessing an incredible production of “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Palais Garnier in Paris! Oh darling, it was absolutely divine. This ballet, by the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa, was full of grand tutus – the Princess Aurora’s Pink Dress! You can imagine, the costumes were absolutely sensational – an ode to fairytale and dreams!
Speaking of Palais Garnier - this magnificent theatre, with its stunning décor, really added to the magic of the performance. Just picture it: a magnificent building with gold chandeliers and velvety seats!
Tutu Trends in 1917
Fashion and ballet go hand in hand, darlings! 1917 was a year of evolution and change in the world of fashion. There were still whispers of Victorian style with long dresses and full skirts, but a fresh breeze was sweeping in. The skirts became shorter and more practical, a delightful nod towards comfort and freedom. I saw such amazing designs on my trip, inspired by the shapes of the new tutus: shorter, fuller skirts, beautiful embroidery, and a glorious mix of pastel colours in shades of pink, lavender, and mint! Simply divine!
Oh, and feathers, a personal weakness of mine, were all the rage. Imagine beautiful ostrich feathers cascading from hats and embellishing dance costumes - oh so dramatic!
My Pink Tutu Wish List for 1917
Well, I must confess, I'm absolutely smitten with the Romantic tutu! But the new shorter designs do intrigue me – so modern, so elegant! For 1917, I’d want to have it all – a long, fluffy tulle tutu for a grand entrance and a shorter, sleek one for a showstopper ending! And, darling, don't even get me started on the potential for feathered accessories!
My Adventures Through Time
And so, with a flourish of tulle and a burst of joy, I say goodbye for now, my darlings! But don't fret! I’ll be back next week with another installment of #TutuTuesday – don’t miss out on the pink-tutu-tastic fun! Until then, do try and add a touch of pink and twirl to your lives! Remember, anything can be possible – even your wildest dreams!
Yours always, in a sea of tulle,
Emma
[Emma, Your Favourite Time Travelling Tutu Blogger, signing off for now! ]
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