Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another dose of ballet history for your #TutuTuesday. Today, we're whisking ourselves back to a crisp February 19th, 1918.
Remember, dear readers, this blog, my fabulous Pink-Tutu.com, is your gateway to all things tutu, and today's topic, my loves, is something absolutely captivating! We're diving into the world of ballet's glamorous past and taking a peek at what the ballerinas were wearing, how they were dancing, and what the world was like when that iconic tutu took centre stage!
The Pink Tutu - Always a Winner
So, where are we? As I always do, I’ve popped onto the Orient Express, a carriage luxuriously appointed with pale pink plush, of course. And as always, a train ride means a good dose of fashion observation! The ladies are dressed in gorgeous, bold fashions, everything from elegant, long, sweeping skirts, to beautiful, geometrically-patterned dresses, all reflecting the 1910s mood. This era in fashion has so much personality, a real mix of practicality and bold expressions of style, and even the gentlemen look dashing with their cravats and dapper suits.
But, naturally, my mind is filled with tutus.
And I am delighted to share that, 1918 is still right smack in the middle of the golden age of tutu fashion. Picture it, lovely reader! You are watching a performance in Paris or London. You take a deep breath as the orchestra fills the theatre, anticipation buzzing through the air, and suddenly - BOOM! There they are! The dancers, swishing their beautiful legs in the most divine tutus, each a perfect little ballerina explosion of white tulle.
There is simply nothing more magical, I tell you!
But now you are saying, Emma darling, where is the Pink? You told me this was all about Pink tutus!
Well, hold on tight dear reader, you are going to be delighted, we have a pink surprise on our way, and its all going to be oh so elegant!
Ballerinas of the Time
Now, the dancers of this period, were strong, expressive and graceful! Their steps were elegant, and the movement so controlled. This time period is famous for bringing in the classical style of ballet that we still cherish today. Just like ballerinas today, they danced with grace, athleticism and beautiful precision, but in the earlier era, it was still a big deal, a revolutionary achievement for the ladies. Imagine all the women trying their hardest to change how the world sees ballet and womanhood at the time. They’re such brave spirits, aren’t they? And those daring women wore the most adorable tutus – tight-fitting, elegant, and delicate – and for me, I must say the ne plus ultra of these are the classic, fluffy, en pointe tutus! These fluffy white beauties showcasing every single detail of a ballerina's athleticism are simply perfect.
But back to the colour! And the boom surprise I promised earlier! You know how I love ballet fashion? Well this little time travel trip I'm on has brought me to something oh-so-exciting!
And that exciting something is:
Pink tutus!
They are all the rage in fashion today. A light and bright shade is very much a trend in Paris this year! So, the light pink tutus are appearing on the ballet stage in a wonderful display of grace. They’re simply gorgeous! Light and elegant, they capture a more playful aspect of the ballet performance.
And for the finale! The big performance at London's Royal Opera House - It’s none other than a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ! The Royal Ballet are performing this timeless masterpiece for a London audience, all the way back in 1918! It will feature two main female roles - Odette, a graceful swan with a white tulle tutu, and Odile, her deceptive dark double with a tutu that, while white in colour, uses a dramatic array of layers and black feathers to embody her darkness. This iconic tutu involves a beautiful layer of sheer, black material and black feathers to express her cunning and power, in contrast to Odette's beautiful and soft tutu! It's *almost as good as pink!*
You see, the tutu's been dancing with us, lovely readers, for many many years, and this wonderful, little, swirly, beautiful creation is all about feminine power, strength, and the power of pure elegance! The history of the tutu is a history of graceful and stylish evolution, it is something we should all celebrate. I am very proud of the evolution of the tutu from its roots in romanticism, with its dramatic movement and light tulle, through the later periods where it morphed into a shorter skirt, until we got to today. That's how our little piece of ballerina heaven made its grand debut!
But I, my lovely readers, have made a mission out of bringing the magic of pink tutus back to life, because nothing makes me happier than spreading the love of tutus and the incredible beauty of dance, fashion and elegance that comes with it.
This, my lovely readers, is another bit of my Pink Tutu History!
Tutu Tip of the Week:Remember, it’s a good week to try a pale pink lip colour with your everyday outfits for a subtle splash of pink magic, dear reader! That colour works great, no matter your dress, with a bright pink tutu for an event, of course, but the subtle shades of pink, are a nice reminder that life can be lovely and fun.
I'll see you next #TutuTuesday!
And of course, if you need more tutus and fashion tips, come back to my website, www.pink-tutu.com, and find your next perfect dance dress or fabulous new piece of clothing that’s totally Pink Tutu Chic!
Till next time, stay fashionable, my darlings!
Love,
Emma 💕
(This is blog post number 4495 - I'm working my way to the millionth post!)
