Hello lovelies! Welcome back to your favourite ballet blog, Pink Tutu, where tutus are the lifeblood and pink is the passion! This Tuesday's #TutuTuesday takes us back to July 10th, 1917, and oh my, we're about to see some real star power emerge!
Now, darling, imagine this: the year is 1917, the Great War is raging across Europe, and yet, fashion in London, darling, was still blooming! It was a time when silk and satin were kings and hats, well, they were practically another layer of couture on your head! You know, such a delicate time, and the war wasn't going to stop the glamorous ladies of London from looking spectacular!
Speaking of spectacular, let's dive into the reason we're here: Ballet!
Now, darlings, you might think that "ballets" are something you just sit back and enjoy, right? But imagine, for a moment, the craft, the creativity, and the sheer blood, sweat, and tears that goes into creating a new ballet!
Today's date marks a moment of brilliance!
A young woman named Anna Pavlova, a Russian dancer, had arrived in London, her graceful form and astonishing talent, making every dancer in the world, gulp a bit and wish they had a little of her magic!
Now, Pavlova wasn't just any ballerina.
She was the icon, the original "ballet star". Just her mere presence stopped traffic, darling! She sparkled, she swirled, and oh, she was radiant!
Anna had revolutionized ballet!
You see, dear reader, before this captivating creature came along, ballet was more classical. Think flowing, long skirts, intricate patterns, but not too much focus on athleticism.
Anna was different! She wore tutus, oh yes, she certainly wore tutus! But hers, well, they were shorter. They allowed for more freedom of movement. She twirled, leaped, breathed life into the movements!
Imagine, if you will, a beautiful tutu, made from delicate layers of tulle, and held in place by a single silk ribbon.
She wanted to tell stories through dance. Anna was a trailblazer!
But here's the thing about our little starlet: Pavlova loved her London! And she showed it off. She loved a bit of shopping, especially the charming department store Harrods. She adored the fashion and all the glamorous little boutiques, because let's be honest, a ballerina needs an outfit for every performance. Even when a world war was brewing, darling, Pavlova couldn't resist a little sartorial flair. And yes, those tutus... you could see the sparkle in her eye as she selected fabrics and designed them.
Just as she changed the way ballet was danced, she changed the way it was costumed. Pavlova was an innovator, a queen of the stage, and a master of her own sartorial destiny!
You can imagine, then, just how breathtaking that tutu must have been. Perhaps, I wonder if it wasn't the famous "Swan" costume she designed herself!
Oh, the joy, darling!
Let's jump to July 10th, 1917, and imagine, we're right there at the Hippodrome, a majestic, historical, and, darling, let's just admit it, a bit of an opulent treasure trove in London!
Anna Pavlova was about to perform her new ballet "The Dying Swan", and, oh dear readers, it changed ballet **for ever!
We’re just weeks away from the one-year anniversary of the date that took America into the war, and just this week, it was confirmed that London is the newest and largest submarine base for our allies, and so this lovely dance, full of life, light, and such grace must have seemed like a blessing to every single person watching. This new "Dying Swan" became an instant icon for Pavlova.
Today, we take the idea of “ballet” for granted. But remember: It wasn't so long ago, back in the 19th century, that this delicate, fluid, expressive dance form was considered a hobby for rich women and not something to earn a living from.
Anna, darling, was a revolutionary force! And her performances, particularly that “Dying Swan”, became a huge deal!
Every night, as her lithe frame danced across the stage, dressed in that mesmerizing tutu, the audience gasped, sighed, and cheered. She touched everyone. She was captivating, magical, breathtaking, and a symbol of hope during a very difficult time.
That is the power of a ballerina. She makes you think. She takes your breath away.
Let's give her the biggest, most appreciative, and heartfelt applause!
Happy #TutuTuesday everyone!
If you've been inspired, why not head out and join a ballet class today? Perhaps try a costume shop for your first, or second, or even your *thirteenth tutu! There's something to love for everyone in the world of ballet!
Remember, every single one of us can be a star! Especially when we’re dressed in pink! I mean, don’t forget to be a bit of a revolutionary and join me in pink!
So go out there, be inspired, and remember to follow our little website www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday, for some truly enchanting #TutuTuesday tales!
Love,
Emma xxx
Pink Tutu out!
