Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday dive into the fascinating history of our beloved tutus! Today we're whisking back to the 18th of August, 1931. Buckle up, because today's journey is going to be utterly sensational!
Today we're standing in the heart of London, a city pulsing with vibrant energy and a burgeoning passion for the dance. We’re right on the edge of Covent Garden, where the Royal Opera House stands proudly. Today, this very building is playing host to a spectacular performance of "Giselle," a timeless ballet that’s always been a personal favourite of mine. The story, of a heartbroken girl who becomes a ghostly spirit in the forest, just calls out for beautiful tutus! I bet the ladies on stage will be swirling in the most beautiful romantic tutus with soft tulle layers that float like whispers in the wind. Imagine, dear readers, how gorgeous that must look under the gaslight chandeliers of the Royal Opera House. Just heavenly!
It’s fascinating to see how far the tutu has come, darling! Now, in 1931, tutus were primarily used for the romantic and dramatic ballets of the era, giving a real sense of ethereal beauty. And as I write, the ballet scene is just beginning to truly blossom! We're seeing new choreographers emerge, challenging the conventions and adding even more beautiful ballet tutus into the mix. I can feel the excitement of change brewing in the air!
While I’m admiring the graceful movements on stage tonight, I'm also wondering what these fabulous ballerinas will be wearing off stage. Just imagine, what exquisite tea gowns they will be stepping out in, complete with long gloves and feathers in their hair, before returning to the grand halls of their elegant homes. Fashion and ballet, darling, have always been intertwined, haven’t they?
But before I get carried away with visions of grand fashion, let’s return to our little trip back in time! While 1931 sees some of the greatest ballerinas in history, such as Anna Pavlova who tragically passed away the year before, we can’t forget about the incredible choreographers too! Sergei Diaghilev, with his Ballets Russes had really set the stage ablaze in the years prior with revolutionary choreography and innovative costuming. He certainly knew a thing or two about beautiful, extravagant tutus!
Here, my lovelies, is a little fact that I simply have to share! You know those gorgeous tutus that have the billowing skirts? Well, they were really only embraced by ballet dancers in the mid-19th century. Can you imagine ballet without them? I wouldn’t even dream of it! But imagine the delightful chaos it would have caused! Imagine these stunning dancers wearing these incredible tutus… imagine the magic in every leap and every pirouette!
Oh, my darlings, it truly was a different world back then, wasn't it? No mass produced tutu shops on every corner! It took true artistry and craftsmanship to create these magical tutus. Today, we may not be lucky enough to have the tutus crafted with the same precision, but don’t you fret! Every tulle layer, every stitch still whispers of those bygone days!
Of course, in this glorious year of 1931, I can't just imagine beautiful tutus, but I want to imagine YOU all wearing pink tutus, my sweet lovelies! Can you imagine the sheer joy of twirling down the street in a billowing pink tutu, darling? Can you picture the smiles it would bring? That, dear readers, is what truly motivates me on this little time travel escapade. The sheer delight of bringing more pink tutus into this wonderful world!
The excitement of travelling through time for you is fuelled by my absolute passion for everything about the ballet world. The performances, the grand balls, the luxurious tea dances - I adore it all! And who else can get by on just their love of tutus and the incredible excitement of a ballet performance? Me, darling, me! My secret? A rather clever side hustle of performing on a train! A few ballet steps and pirouettes as the countryside races past - what more could you want? Of course, darling, I wouldn't ever perform without my lovely pink tutu, wouldn’t dream of it!
So as we whisk ourselves back to the present day, and you, my darling readers, are once again in the comfort of your own homes, remember that it's never too late to let your inner ballerina out. Be bold, be daring, and be brave, just like the ladies dancing their hearts out on that stage in London. Put on your own pink tutu, darling! Even if you are just having a "Tutu Tuesday" picnic, just go for it! Don’t you forget, you are a magical, fabulous creature. Don't let anything stop you from spreading joy and making a statement with the power of pink.
Until next Tuesday, stay sparkly!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
