Welcome back, dear readers, to another week of #TutuTuesday and the adventures of Pink-Tutu.com! As always, your lovely little Emma here, taking you on a grand journey through time to explore the exquisite evolution of the tutu! Today, I'm pulling out all the frills and flounces as we sashay back to 11th May 1920. Buckle up, darling, this is going to be a right bobby-dazzler!
Itâs my lucky day, dear readers, as this weekâs #TutuTuesday journey takes me back to none other than London town, the cradle of elegant ballet! Now, the date itself, 11th May 1920, might not seem immediately familiar. But, in the grand, whirling scheme of ballet, it marks a momentous moment - the debut of Diaghilevâs Ballets Russes in a breathtaking new production: âThe Sleeping Princessâ! Can you believe it?! Now, I donât just wear pink for the aesthetic, you see. My mission, darling, is to spread the sheer joy of dance, and this historical spectacle certainly does that in spades!
But before we delve into the delightful detail, letâs have a proper chat about the journey! I know, I know, itâs just the train this week - no daring dirigibles or flamboyant Ferris wheels. But trust me, my dear darlings, travelling by train is as magical as it is convenient. The chug of the engine, the whistle as you enter a tunnel, the feeling of slipping out of the present moment and right into the past⊠it's pure poetry, and every bit as magical as dancing on pointe! I think I'm in love with a particular carriage this time; a stunning, deep, luxurious blue, complete with velveteen cushions, and, oh my, the window! It was just begging for a little dance from me on my way into the station, but I shall have to make a mental note for next weekâs escapade!
Okay, so enough about this weekâs delightful train journey, let's get back to our pink-hued obsession! **TutĂčs have always played a vital role in ballet, darling, donât you think? I mean, imagine Swan Lake without the elegant, flowing swan wings! Just as vital as they are today! Now, Iâm always the first to celebrate the magnificent, fluffy tutĂčs of modern ballet, but the elegant evolution of these lovely things starts much, much earlier, so letâs journey back a tadâŠ
Back in 1920, youâd have found tutĂčs looking a little bit different. Imagine! A more fitted, less billowing silhouette than what we see in ballets today. This elegant style gave an enchanting air of lightness, emphasizing each dancerâs graceful movement. Think of Marie Taglioni, darling, spinning in the ethereal tutu she made so iconic. The Romantic era, in particular, championed the airy and graceful tutĂč, setting the scene for the evolution we know and love today.
Speaking of that iconic âSleeping Princessâ ballet, itâs no accident, my lovely reader, that Princess Aurora (and oh, doesn't she dance just beautifully in that production?!), graces the stage in a magnificent tutu. The designers took inspiration from 18th-century ball gowns - oh, the extravagance! Can you even imagine, a flurry of silks, tulle and lace?! A tutu born of the same world as âMarie Antoinette,â all elegance and poise, if a bit more fitted to allow for twirling! I daresay weâve come full circle from those earlier romantic designs - what was then inspired by historical dress, we see it reinvented in contemporary productions - full circle!
Of course, tutĂčs have to change to reflect the changing world of ballet, haven't they, darling? Ballet has gone through periods of incredible change: from classical works to bold contemporary expression. The same goes for tutĂčs. Weâve gone from romantic, floaty tutĂčs to shorter, more modern interpretations - like the delightful designs created by LĂ©on Bakst for "Scheherazade!" Or, my personal favourite - The Bluebird Tutu from "The Sleeping Beauty", just a masterpiece of dance costume! It all depends on the story, doesnât it? A simple ballet story with minimal costume might favour a simpler tutu while more fantastical stories might incorporate beautiful frills and a flurry of fluffy tulle!
This week's âSleeping Princessâ was nothing short of an explosion of colour and creativity, which was no doubt reflected in the gorgeous, layered tutĂčs on stage, just oozing history and flair. We canât forget the costumes designed by LĂ©on Bakst, and my goodness me, weren't those costumes exquisite! It's said he created a dazzling, luxurious colour scheme for the entire show, which inspired fashion for the time. It even pushed the boundaries of tutu designs and techniques, creating an exciting look for both the princesses and fairies. And while the actual performance may be gone, my dear, its legacy is something we can continue to admire, and that, darlings, is magic for you! Itâs this love of all things theatrical that sets me journeying week after week! And it makes my life truly, truly worth living, wouldn't you agree?!
Now, speaking of âThe Sleeping Princessâ in London, 1920: what I truly admire is the passion for this art form and its celebration. The Ballet Russes brought a new wave of artistic energy to the stage, challenging ballet as it was known and captivating audiences in the process.
And itâs this, darlings, that connects back to #TutuTuesday. This is not just a blog, dear readers. This is a love letter, if you will, to the grace and the sheer brilliance of a magical garment and to the incredible skill of dancers from then until now.
So, put on your brightest smiles, dearest readers, and letâs twirl, dance and celebrate this wondrous art form. Happy #TutuTuesday!
