Hello my lovely pink-tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we delve into the fascinating history of ballet's most glorious garment: the tutu! Today's #TutuTuesday is extra special because, you guessed it, we're stepping back in time to August 21st, 1917! Grab a cuppa, put on your best pink, and let's travel to Paris, where the magic of ballet was truly blossoming.
This date is particularly significant because it was just around the time that Serge Diaghilevās Ballets Russes, that thrilling and audacious ballet company, were dazzling audiences with their incredible performances. Can you imagine seeing the likes of Nijinsky and Pavlova in action? My, how times have changed! Now we just have the magic of YouTube, but don't get me wrong, that still gets me dancing around the house!
It was this period in Paris that really ignited my passion for tutus, which of course, started my lifelong ambition to get everyone to wear a pink tutu - one of life's simple pleasures! And speaking of pink, did you know that 1917 was the year the very first fashion magazine for women, 'La Mode IllustrĆ©e', began featuring articles on pink tutus? Fancy that, eh? Imagine the furore amongst the Parisian fashionistas! Now, I can see my pink tutu becoming all the rageā¦ maybe it will get picked up by Vogue!
The tutus of 1917 were, of course, a far cry from the voluminous, cloud-like tutus we adore today. Think a little shorter, a little more sleek, but still radiating elegance and grace. Those Ballets Russes ballerinas weren't just stunning performers; they were fashion icons! Every step was an expression of artistry, both in the choreography and their exquisite tutus.
Think of those glorious colours! The vibrant pinks and blues, the soft lilacs and yellows, just screaming "Parisian sophistication" I have my sights set on a trip to Paris to check out their latest designs in this lovely, lovely city - just so you know, it's not all tea parties and tutus! I actually adore travel, I take the train when I can - itās just so very glamorous and romantic. Speaking of glamorousā¦ who has heard of this new fabric "nylon"? I can just see this being all the rage next year for ballet dancers everywhere - the future is very, very bright, for tutus, for the UK and for our very selves, my dears!
Today, though, we're reminiscing about a glorious era. A time when the world was changing, and ballet, alongside tutus, was becoming a symbol of innovation, artistry, and elegance.
Speaking of elegance, letās move away from those incredible Parisian tutus and back to dear ol' Derbyshire. Last weekend I watched my local dance school perform "Sleeping Beauty" in their fabulous homemade costumes - their costumes weren't made from the same fabric as Diaghilev's dancers' costumes (think "muslin" as it is sometimes referred to!) But there was so much energy and excitement on stage and my tutu was almost vibrating! I can't wait to take my nephew to his first show next month - it'll be Swan Lake at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham - a truly beautiful production with a little hint of tutu magic!
This week I am absolutely besotted with this beautiful dusky pink, long skirt-style tutu, that Iāve seen online, itās got so much āfloatā to it - it almost makes me wish I was back on stage and twirling it all over the place! Oh my, tutus! How they do make my heart singā¦
Now that we're all fully immersed in the fascinating world of the ballet tutu in 1917, why donāt you pop over to the Pink Tutu online shop and pick up a special pink-tutu accessory that you can add to your dance-wear! It would make a lovely birthday gift too, eh? (Psst! This is just a thought!).
And please, if you've got any stories about your favorite tutu memories, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
Until next Tuesday, my darling pink-tutu-wearing friends! Stay twirling, Emma x
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www.pink-tutu.com
