Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another #TutuTuesday adventure. Today we're going all the way back to June 21st, 1921 - a date that, for me, brings to mind an explosion of colour, movement, and, of course, those magical tulle wonders that have stolen my heart: tutus!
Oh, the excitement of stepping into 1921! This era, for the love of all things glittery and glamorous, was simply bursting with style. You had the flappers, their bobbed hair, their cheeky dresses - and letās not forget, those dancing feet! It's here we see the start of the short tutu - that breathtakingly beautiful explosion of tulle, so light, airy, and elegant, just made for swirling and pirouetting! It's hard to believe, but not long ago, ballet costumes were often long and ratherā¦ well, heavy. But the 20s were a time for liberation, and it seemed, the tutus were following suit!
I do love my pink, darling, but it was black that ruled the day back then. Oh, how I adore those charcoal clouds of tulle, their silhouette dancing with every pliĆ©! It was a revolutionary change for the ballet world, a liberation for both the dancers and the audience! Just imagine: leaping and bounding, a swirling cascade of dark silk against the backdrop of the stage ā utterly spellbinding.
Now, as a ballet enthusiast and a bit of a history buff, you canāt talk about the early 20th century without acknowledging the brilliant contributions of Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. Imagine - bringing the most decadent and breathtaking ballet to Paris! They set the standard for those glittering performances that everyone would adore, pushing boundaries, igniting imaginations, and leaving a lasting impression on the dance world.
Speaking of Paris, just this morning, I indulged in some serious shopping at a quaint boutique on Rue Saint-HonorĆ©. Parisian fashion! Such elegant gowns, exquisite materials ā a treasure trove of beautiful things! There are shops on Rue du Faubourg Saint-HonorĆ© too, for the love of all things posh and lavish! My dear friend, Gabrielle Chanel, even has her atelier there, too! A lady of impeccable style. The ladies of Paris had a love affair with tulle as much as I do. It was simply everywhere ā in dresses, veils, hats! It was all about celebrating feminine grace, elegance, and ā wouldn't you know it - movement!
That being said, Paris is an absolutely splendid place to see ballet. But of course, no discussion of 1921 could be complete without a trip to the home of ballet itself: London! I had to see The Royal Ballet in London, dearie, I'd travel from Derbyshire to do it - my family simply loved ballet. It's how I first learned to appreciate the beauty of those exquisite pink tutus that we all love. But, for this week's #TutuTuesday trip, I travelled by train! There's just something romantic and magical about settling into a carriage and whizzing past fields and countryside while heading towards your beloved London. You can't tell me that you havenāt fallen asleep on a train to London dreaming of dancing on the stage of Covent Garden! The atmosphere - the whole ambiance ā just electric! It's hard to pick between the theatres, but Iād be remiss not to mention the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. An icon of London, that elegant, stunning building. Thatās where I saw āGiselleā - an enchanting, heartbreaking story! The ballerinasā white tutus were so ethereal against the darkness of the stage - truly breathtaking. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you: my own trip to the Royal Opera House also coincided with a performance of Le Sacre du Printemps, one of the boldest and most avant-garde ballets ever created. Now that was an exciting ballet to see. It had such an impact in 1913.
Of course, a dance doesn't have to happen on a grand stage in front of hundreds. When you feel that inner twirl within you - you just have to let it loose, right? Street performances, even a little park stroll - tutus make every adventure an event! It's all about the feeling, darling!
And who wouldn't love a splash of pink in their lives? Especially when it comes to tutus. Yes, pink. My favorite colour. After all, darling, my mission in life is to encourage you all to own the tutu ā wear it with pride, twirl with confidence! Let the world be your stage, let every day be your performance! Now I'm going to add some new pink to my wardrobe - maybe a bright neon pink.
Let's make every day a #TutuTuesday!
Until next time, darling, keep on twirling!
XOXO
Emma
