Welcome back, darlings, to another glorious edition of #TutuTuesday on pink-tutu.com! I'm your time-traveling ballerina blogger, Emma, and today we're waltzing through history, tutus twirling and all, to the 27th of November 1917. Now, let me tell you, this was a rather special time in the history of the tutu!
I travelled by train from London to Paris for this one, which was quite an adventure! Now, there’s something quite glamorous about taking a train journey – especially when you’re all dolled up in your pink tutu, of course. A bit of a giggle as everyone stared at me, but everyone was quite delighted. I suppose in that moment I was a bit like a walking advertisement for my blog, and I had to hand it to the Parisians for embracing the excitement with their beautiful laughter. There is something to be said about the infectious delight that a good tutu brings to a crowd! It's like a pink cloud of sunshine - spreading cheer and delight wherever it goes.
As I wandered through the grand boulevards of Paris, past the imposing arches and elegant shops, I found myself captivated by the sheer elegance of the fashion at the time. Now, we all know the roaring twenties are right around the corner, and those flapper dresses, those are coming along fast, but in 1917 we’re still feeling the remnants of the Edwardian era in the style of fashion. Beautiful corseted gowns, flowing silk and the use of lace all add to the sense of romance and femininity that is just beautiful to watch and a true source of inspiration for me.
Anyway, back to the tutu! You see, at the time, we're moving beyond the classical, romantic tutus, darling. You see, the long, graceful, fluffy tutus - like you might see on a romantic ballerina in Swan Lake or Giselle – are still there, of course! They’re beautiful and iconic! But the tutus, well, they're beginning to evolve and experiment with new shapes and forms. In 1917, a little further down the timeline, some revolutionary new tutu styles will emerge, making them less "fluffier" than the past and allowing for a more athletic, modern performance – and of course, new, creative movements. Oh, and can you even imagine the sheer daring of this shift for a ballerina, moving with such grace and artistry?! Absolutely thrilling!
My heart skips a beat, thinking of the elegant silhouettes, with its sharp lines, its emphasis on freedom of movement… I think of the "tutu" which is less a flowing skirt and more a form of artistic expression! A true dance partner, empowering the dancers to make their moves so dramatic and free. Such a revolution in the way tutus are used, it almost feels like we're starting a whole new dance.
Now, you know I wouldn’t just leave you to read that, would I?! I was determined to see this "tutu revolution" firsthand, so I went to the Grand Opera! As soon as the lights dimmed and the music began, you’d think I'd have been transfixed on the performance, wouldn't you?! But as much as I was enthralled by the ballets being performed – I couldn’t help myself! I kept peering into the wings of the stage, seeing if I could get a sneaky look at the dancers changing their tutus. It's true! This is the sort of detail that a time-travelling ballerina is truly drawn to, don't you know! As the tutus started to reveal themselves to me, my heart leapt with joy! So many lovely textures - feathers and lace, a wonderful mix of styles! Even if they're in transition, tutus are truly works of art and the culmination of craftsmanship. It takes so much to create them, from choosing the perfect shade of pink, to the layering of lace. And then, of course, it takes those nimble hands of those wonderful ballet seamstresses! Such fine talent!
In this particular era, I’d love to say there were tutus that I simply had to have! Oh my goodness! Some were so vibrant and dramatic, I could only stare! But as much as the dramatic styles impressed me - my heart truly skipped a beat at one of the shorter tutus, almost knee-length, I think it was worn in "Les Sylphides" by Vaslav Nijinsky. The graceful way it swirled around the dancers' legs made it seem as if the tutu itself was doing a little dance!
Honestly, this journey truly has been the highlight of my week. To witness the ballet in this moment of time is simply inspirational! If this were the end of the week, I’d have the strongest urges to dash back to my Derbyshire sewing machine and craft an exciting new style myself, that’s for sure! But never fear! This isn't my last trip! We've still got some adventures to experience, so join me back here next week!
You never know what delightful tutu tales we might discover - maybe we'll travel to America, the Land of Opportunities?! Stay tuned! And until next week, keep wearing pink, and never ever stop twirling!
Love,
Emma.
