Greetings, darling tutu lovers! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another #TutuTuesday blog post.
This week, I've travelled to a particularly fascinating date: 1st May 1917. Just imagine, it's almost 100 years ago! Can you picture yourself waltzing around in a beautiful, flowing tutu, with the wind whispering secrets through your tulle? (I'm trying, and it's totally working, just you wait!)
This week, we're venturing into a time of real change and upheaval, the world is at war, but still, our ballet love persists!
(P.S. Remember to keep your tutus extra bright this week, darling readers! A splash of pink can always lighten the mood. I found the perfect vintage frock at a little boutique in Paris – a gorgeous blush pink silk number with an oh-so-elegant tutu underneath. It's divine!)
Before we get into the history of tutus in 1917, let me tell you about my amazing adventure this week. Imagine me, rocking my pink tutu on a bustling Paris Metro!
I stepped into the carriage, my tulle fluttering around me like a cloud, and everyone seemed to smile, or at least glance with a curious look, I felt like the very embodiment of joie de vivre. And you know what? I even managed to snag a seat! (Imagine, a tutu on a crowded metro! Not just a dream, darling.)
This Parisian journey led me to a truly delightful boutique – all Parisian chic, with velvet curtains and antique mirrors, where I snagged that amazing frock. It’s a secret treasure, nestled away down a cobbled alley, and if you happen to be in the City of Lights, let’s just say… It’s well worth a visit! (No peeking at my blog comments until next week, okay? Keep the mystery going.)
Anyway, back to our Tutu Tuesday adventure! What was happening in the world of ballet back in 1917? Well, the Great War was raging on, of course. And life, in many ways, felt uncertain, yet our dance still offered a much needed respite.
Imagine those wonderful ballerinas on stage, defying all those dark realities. The world was changing around them but these beautiful dancers just kept swirling, twisting and leaping, reminding us of the inherent beauty of life. It was a magical moment, a celebration of strength and grace against all odds.
In the world of fashion, 1917 saw the influence of wartime needs shaping the style of women’s attire. Women adopted a more practical approach to their dress. A sort of simplified and restrained look! This was particularly felt in ballroom gowns, with shorter hemlines, slimmer silhouettes, and a newfound emphasis on elegance.
And even though they were made simpler, it was still a era that embraced beautiful, graceful silhouettes. Just imagine, darling! Tutus – still delicate, flowing and stunning as always, in all their whimsical glory! There was no way even the war could dampen their elegant charm!
Even the simplest of silhouettes for these dances had that Je Ne Sais Quoi. Remember, fashion was always finding ways to adapt. It always reflects our emotions. This year it’s no exception!
Of course, 1917 wasn't just about wartime restrictions and wartime fashions! The spirit of innovation was very much alive, as it should be. In the world of ballet, Diaghilev's Ballets Russes were sweeping the stage with a new wave of innovative dances and exciting new ideas. They were changing how people saw the very art of dance.
And if that wasn’t exciting enough, 1917 was also the year a ballet named Les Biches debuted! Les Biches was this amazing work of choreography by Bronislava Nijinska - and darling, you've gotta trust me – this was cutting-edge ballet for its time. I would have loved to see it myself, twirling alongside them! I've only glimpsed it through old photographs, but its story is fascinating, and its daring costumes have inspired me so much!
*(Don’t even ask about the dancing... *Just picture those iconic geometric forms, sharp angles and elegant athleticism... I practically get goosebumps! I am seriously hoping for a trip to a Les Biches production soon. Stay tuned for more adventures, dear readers.) **
So darling readers, there you have it, your #TutuTuesday glimpse into 1917. From wartime challenges to groundbreaking artistic creations, history teaches us one important thing: Even amidst hardships, beauty can always shine through.
Now, tell me – have you ever seen a production of Les Biches? Do share! What’s your favourite historical ballet moment? Let’s chat all things ballet in the comments!
Remember, the secret to living a fabulous life? Wear a pink tutu. And until next #TutuTuesday,
Yours in tutus and travel, Emma
P.S. This post is Number 4453 in my Ballet Tutu History series. Join me here each Tuesday! And you can also find my posts over on www.pink-tutu.com.
