Hello lovelies! 💖 It’s Emma here, your pink tutu-loving time-traveling ballerina, bringing you another #TutuTuesday post!
Today marks post number 4897 in my never-ending Ballet Tutu History quest to document the glorious history of the tutus that we love! 😉 And for this week’s trip down memory lane, I’ve hopped on the train to 1925 – a time when the ballet world was ablaze with innovative dance and groundbreaking designs.
I’ve always had a fascination with the Ballet Russe era, so you can imagine my delight at being here, in this vibrant time when Diaghilev’s company was captivating audiences around the globe!
It’s a rather grand affair today - a dazzling premiere at the Paris Opera House, just around the corner from where I’ve set up my time travel base, a lovely boutique in the Latin Quarter. Imagine – this incredible building! It’s not quite the grandeur of the Bolshoi or the Royal Opera House, but it’s undeniably impressive! You have to believe me – I wouldn't leave my dressing room until I got the best seats in the house!
I've managed to snag a seat in the middle of the house and I’m surrounded by fabulous women wearing opulent gowns, hats adorned with feathers, and extravagant jewels. Talk about a head-turning ensemble! I've got to confess, even in my time-traveling pink tutu, I do feel a little bit out of place but this is an era of flair! It's my first glimpse at an actual Parisian Fashion week! I wonder how much longer my little pink tutu is going to get me away with! Maybe it's time I bought some more clothes.
I’m so excited because tonight we’re witnessing the world premiere of “Le Train Bleu". Can you imagine – a ballet based on a glamorous train trip along the French Riviera, with incredible costumes, set designs, and innovative choreography? This ballet truly epitomizes the energy and exuberance of the era!
A Vision in Blue 💙
The show is a spectacle - a stunning visual treat! The dancers are dressed in striking blue costumes that are utterly chic – silks and satins adorned with glittering embellishments that reflect the lights. They move with such ease and grace, captivating the audience with every move. It’s no wonder that Diaghilev's Ballet Russe company was making waves throughout Europe at this time – it truly was an era of groundbreaking ballet art! This ballet, I must say, has a truly special place in the heart of every tutu-loving girl – there are a lot of inspiring outfits for us to draw inspiration from.
The story? Oh it’s simple, light, and delightful – much like my darling pink tutu, don’t you agree? A romantic story set on a train to the French Riviera. What’s not to love?! I know, I know – not as deep or complex as “Swan Lake,” but hey – it's a chance for a ballet set design of the French Riviera to show its glamour! This era of ballet wasn't about just story telling, it was also a show, a beautiful spectacle of colours, movement, and grace – everything I hold dear to my heart!
Behind the Scene – From St Petersburg to Paris!
As much as I love to see the dazzling performances on stage, I also love a bit of behind the scenes intrigue, and 1925 in the ballet world certainly delivers! Imagine – St Petersburg, a land of opulent castles and grand ballrooms – a world where dance and beauty were a part of every day life. Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe rose from these grand beginnings and became a global phenomenon, touring across Europe and the United States with innovative choreographies and stunning costume designs by the greats such as Bakst and Benois.
There is an aura about them, an elegance. They were like nothing that had been seen in Europe before. It is easy to see why people are enthralled – their dance was powerful and passionate, a dramatic display of athleticism, grace, and beauty. These were daring, dramatic choreographies and daring new costumes! This period had so much excitement about it – new dance techniques, new music and innovative costume designs that made the company a force to be reckoned with. These artistic and creative energies were in the air. It’s something we can all strive for, I feel, don’t you think? To make waves and create something incredible, with imagination, style, and daring flair. I find that these dancers truly embody everything I love – their dedication to their art, their boundless creativity, their desire to push the boundaries and set new standards for beauty and performance – it’s quite inspirational!
And let’s talk costumes! Oh darling, the costumes! We've talked about the blue, we must talk about the white. There's this one scene, the "Scene du Train Blanc” where dancers wear exquisite, airy, almost translucent costumes of chiffon and satin. It’s like being transported to a fairy tale. It’s absolutely breathtaking, truly unforgettable and this era truly epitomizes the elegant and effortless fluidity of movement, which is what I've always loved about ballet!
More Than Just Ballet – It's A Way of Life! 💖
Of course, for a tutu-loving girl like me, 1925 has an extra dose of charm. I'm really glad that the Ballet Russe company has brought ballet to the forefront of fashion – this period was all about creating a mood, a lifestyle, and a spirit through the artistry and magic of dance, music, and costume design. The fashion here is bold, adventurous, and utterly stunning, just like a beautifully crafted pink tutu.
It’s not just the stage costumes that captivate me; the fashion of the time is full of elegant and graceful touches. Just imagine – ladies in silk dresses, luxurious furs, flapper dresses that flutter and twirl, long elegant beads adorning their necks, and perfectly shaped cloches perched atop their stylish bobbed hairstyles. It's so refined! I find it inspiring that even beyond the stage, this era was all about exquisite feminine glamour and artistic creativity – and I'm determined to bring that spirit into the 21st century! Every day should be a celebration of beautiful, fashionable expression, just like a perfect tutu designed with love!
I’m already sketching in my little notebook all the ideas I've had this week! My latest fashion collection? A beautiful, billowing tutu, adorned with sequins, made of delicate silk, and inspired by the white train of “Le Train Bleu." What do you think? The girls back at my boutique will be amazed.
So much to love!
Now, it’s time to make my way back to Derbyshire to gather inspiration for my latest designs. The tutu’s never ending story of ballet continues with every era – we never know what exciting designs we will be wowed by next. I can’t wait to share my new ideas with you all. And I am confident that we are just a little bit closer to creating a world where every girl, no matter the age or the time period, gets to twirl and shine in her very own perfect pink tutu! Until next #TutuTuesday – keep dancing and dreaming, lovelies! 💖
