Hello, my dearest Tutu Tribe! It's Emma here, your very own time-travelling, pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed blogger, back again with another historical adventure. Grab your tiaras, darling, because this week's #TutuTuesday is going to take us back to 1931, and into the heart of the most glamorous and iconic period for ballet: the golden age of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes!
Ah, 1931! Think Parisian chic, sweeping skirts, and, of course, the breathtaking artistry of ballerinas in flowing tulle, elevating the dance to an almost mythical level! It was a time of vibrant experimentation and audacious creativity. I'm transported just imagining the elegant ladies and dapper gentlemen thronging the Grand Opera House in Paris, mesmerized by the dazzling Ballets Russes.
Diaghilev's Visionary Ballet Russes:
You know, my darling tutu-loving darlings, Diaghilev's Ballets Russes wasn't just about the dancing - it was a complete aesthetic revolution! Diaghilev, the genius visionary behind the Ballets Russes, wasn't just a ballet producer; he was a master of staging, fashion, and even choreography, ensuring each performance was a stunning, unforgettable masterpiece! He understood the power of design.
And the tutus, oh, the tutus! 🩰💖 Diaghilev and his designers, especially the legendary Leon Bakst and Natalia Goncharova, revolutionized the look of ballet. Their tutus were not just flimsy costumes but works of art!
Tutus Fit For a Princess:
The tutus were crafted in exquisitely woven tulle - that heavenly, shimmering, cloud-like fabric. They weren't just white either! We're talking shades of pink (of course!), silver, gold, a rainbow of vibrant colours. They were a delightful blend of tradition and extravagance! Each detail, from the bodice to the flowing layers of tulle, was designed with an extraordinary attention to detail.
Just imagine - a flurry of dancers with pink tulle skirts swirling, glittering costumes sparkling under the stage lights, it was simply magic! But you know, darling, I always get giddy when I think about the sheer movement, the effortless elegance, the way a dancer would command the stage in her perfect, swishy pink tutu - it truly was breathtaking. The costumes were integral to the dancing. It's almost like they were the dance!
The World's Stage
Diaghilev's Ballets Russes dominated the world stage, touring the globe to critical acclaim, making the company a truly international phenomenon. The sheer spectacle! These ballets went beyond being a mere performance - they were events.
As an English girl myself, it makes me swell with pride to recall that in 1931 the Ballets Russes visited London with the famed ballet “L’Enfant et les Sortilèges” performed in May and the gorgeous ballet “The Nightingale,” which debuted in London on the 12th November - it was simply enchanting! The dance scenes were exquisite, the scenery breath-taking, the costumes just gorgeous, but to have that special kind of theatrical magic in London! It truly was a time for elegance and imagination, and it brought the magic of ballet to audiences everywhere! It must have been such a thrilling event to witness.
Travelling the Tracks for Ballet
My, I can imagine the buzz on the trains when people would be heading to see these shows, especially in London. You know, Darling, you just couldn't go to London in a frumpy frock or some simple cotton tunic for such a magnificent occasion, especially when all the glamour of London was so prominent in every cafe, theater, and even on the tube. Oh, I long to have stepped back into the era of Parisian glamour - even in London we caught a glimpse! The era's elegance, the music, the art, all coming together to create the atmosphere. And I, my lovely, would definitely have a pretty pink tutu on! 🩰💖
*Back To The Past *
Well, darling, we've taken a rather lovely, if brief, journey through the glamour of 1931! But the time has come to bid you adieu!
If you enjoyed our tutu history, remember to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com and give it a thumbs up for #TutuTuesday!
Don't forget, I’d love to see your favourite tutu creations. Share a photo of yourself wearing a pink tutu with the hashtag #pinktutubloggers, because who doesn’t want to see your gorgeous tutu in a lovely photo, and we can all share our love of tutus!
Until next week my tutu loving friends, remember -
Dance like no one's watching! And always keep your inner ballerina twinkling!
Love, Emma 🩰 💖
