Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-loving, tutu-adoring blogger Emma here, ready to take you on a delightful trip down ballet history lane, all in the name of #TutuTuesday!
I’m so excited for today's trip back to the past - to April 12th, 1921 to be precise. This week, my time travel took me right to the heart of Paris, the city that truly embraced the beauty of the ballet, oh how I do adore a Parisian adventure! You just can't beat the air of romance, elegance, and of course, all those gorgeous fashion houses.
Imagine my delight, dear readers, as I stepped out of my little time machine, feeling a little bit like I’d tumbled right out of a page from ‘The Belle Époque’. The streets of Paris were bustling with ladies wearing beautifully embellished gowns and the men, oh, the men! Such dashing attire with hats, canes, and coats – what a stunningly elegant spectacle! I immediately started looking for a sweet little boutique, but it’s all too tempting when every shop window is full of glorious fashion treasures! I ended up doing what any self-respecting fashionista would do – shopping, of course!
My travels this week were even more special as today, the 12th of April 1921, marked the premiere of something truly incredible. The Ballets Russes, a group of brilliant, Russian dancers, led by the dazzling impresario, Sergei Diaghilev, took to the stage for the first time at the Palais Garnier in Paris with their masterpiece, "Le Sacre du Printemps". Can you even imagine! I literally gasped! The theatre was so glamorous. Think opulent velvet, sparkling chandeliers and the music - Oh, my darling, it was so electrifying!
You see, in 1921, the Ballets Russes were an absolute sensation! These were daring and exciting dancers, pushing the boundaries of what ballet was at that time, and they were the ultimate visionaries in all things fashionable and dramatic! Can you even imagine! They captivated audiences worldwide with their incredible choreography, magnificent costumes, and oh-so-memorable, revolutionary performances.
It's these fantastically creative people who had such a powerful impact on fashion as we know it today, with their extraordinary stage costumes and beautiful designs. We’re all feeling the legacy of those artists, don’t you think? For example, think of the beautiful, exquisitely hand-stitched costumes and the richly embroidered designs. This all came together so beautifully on stage. Don't you feel like their artistic brilliance truly changed the course of ballet, not to mention fashion history! It’s like an endless cycle. Beautiful fashion is all about the way it makes you feel – which is how it can connect to all sorts of inspirations. You can imagine how I feel so connected to ballet, it completely captivates me – just like the dazzling and dreamy tutues that sparkle so beautifully on stage!
Oh, talking of tutus… have you spotted the trend for these extraordinary creations? They were completely on show during the Ballets Russes performances – not only for the gorgeous women but for the gentlemen, too! You wouldn’t be shocked to know that some of the costumes for the gentlemen involved feather trimmed tutues. Oh! Now, wouldn't that be fabulous! I wish we saw a resurgence in men wearing feathered tutues in the 21st century - oh, my darlings, how exciting that would be! It really is all about feeling joy and beauty.
Anyway, back to our fascinating 12th April 1921...
"Le Sacre du Printemps", with its revolutionary choreography and its musical score – created by Igor Stravinsky and which is just so mesmerizing – became a true landmark in the history of the ballet and became one of the Ballets Russes' most celebrated works. The costumes designed by the famous, and so much loved by fashion enthusiasts worldwide, Nicolas Roerich, are so inspiring, especially that striking deep purple and emerald tutu designed for the primal goddess that really brings the whole ballet to life – and all of the colours combined, they're such a beautiful work of art! I need to add it to my Tutu Wish List!
And what a legacy "Le Sacre du Printemps" has left – it’s still so often performed, oh it’s such a joy to watch such a beautiful and memorable ballet performance! And how can we forget how it has influenced everything from fashion to art and of course the theatre! Such an important event to mark on your history timelines as a dancer – so much creativity flowing in all of these pieces.
So, if you're lucky enough to be in London, you can catch a performance of the Ballets Russes – it does still tour, it truly is the ultimate in glamour. If not, then have a listen to some of the original Stravinsky music. You can find it on most streaming services - it’s a real treat for the ears and guaranteed to put you in a happy, sparkly mood.
Speaking of sparkly, have you found your new tutu yet darlings? If not, then perhaps a beautiful deep purple with emeralds would be your perfect match – I need to treat myself to a new tutu – after all who can say no to a new creation in the world of ballet, don't you think? But don’t worry if a purple tutu isn’t your cup of tea – perhaps a soft pastel pink will set your soul a-flutter and a dash of glitter for a little extra magic. You’re beautiful whatever you wear but I always think a tutu is the ultimate in joy! It really does feel like magic coming alive with every whirl and turn that you can make on the dance floor!
Oh, you know what? Now I’ve had such an inspirational trip to Paris and to see a show like that by the Ballets Russes it's inspired me to plan a dance party! So let's all meet at my favourite venue – the beautiful old Theatres Royal in Derbyshire – to celebrate all the wonderful tutues that have made it into fashion history and give ourselves a chance to spin around and feel the magic. I'm planning to wear my new purple tutu that I found in Paris with emeralds around it – it will be simply splendid and so very romantic.
Make sure to come prepared for an afternoon of dancing, laughter and of course loads of tutues – you can find them in the local shops and online. But, let’s face it darlings, they really don’t need to cost the earth – after all, a true tutu is about the way it makes you feel when you put it on and that is worth every single penny in the world. As always let me know your favourite tutu and if you have any questions, or your favourite fashion icons and what you’ve learnt about this magical day – remember this is all about the beauty of the tutu!
Until next #TutuTuesday, keep it pink and tutu fantastic.
Emma
