Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back with another slice of ballet tutu history for you!
As the sun streams in through my carriage window (always first class, naturally - gotta travel in style!), I can't help but think how lucky we are to have such a wonderfully flamboyant and utterly adorable piece of clothing in our lives. The tutu! And this week, we're going back to 1935, darlings, right to the heart of the glamorous golden age of ballet.
Now, picture this: you're in the opulent Palais Garnier in Paris, the air thick with anticipation, the smell of lilies and anticipation in the air, and the shimmering lights casting a magic spell over the entire room. That's where you'd find me, nestled amongst the Parisian elite, all eyes glued to the stage for a performance of the Ballet Russes under the genius of Sergei Diaghilev. This is the company that revolutionised ballet, bringing its vibrant, avant-garde artistry to the world.
And in 1935, their choreographer extraordinaire, Leonide Massine, was taking the ballet world by storm with his ballets like "Jeux" (that playful and wonderfully sensual exploration of courtship!). It was a whirlwind of movement and emotion, fuelled by the incredible dancers who were practically flying through the air in their glorious tutus. The designs were still evolving - think flowing, gauzy, Grecian styles that accentuated the body's natural curves. The dancers were quite literally stars, radiating the brilliance of their passion and dedication.
Speaking of passion, can we just talk about the colour pink for a moment? In 1935, pink was the ultimate shade for expressing femininity. It was fresh, vibrant, and full of joy. Just picture a tutu made of swathes of the most exquisite pale pink tulle. Swoon.
Oh, the excitement! I even got to shop for a few delightful bits and bobs in the most beautiful shops in Paris! I couldn't resist picking up a gorgeous embroidered scarf in a blush pink, a lovely satin ribbon in a deeper, richer shade, and a charming pair of gloves in a lovely peach colour. I just love the way colours can accentuate a tutu, adding even more dimension to an already stunning look. You could say it was the Pink Lady's paradise!
My little Parisian escapade did leave me yearning for home though - there's no place like the Derbyshire countryside for a girl after a long journey, but what’s better than a visit home is having a cup of Earl Grey, a lovely homemade scone with some clotted cream and jam, whilst reading about the Ballet Russes in my favourite vintage fashion book, "Ballet: The First Five Hundred Years." I adore how each era tells its story through its own unique take on the tutu. It’s truly fascinating how each historical period influenced fashion, which in turn reflected societal norms and beliefs!
I'll leave you with a quote from the ballet great himself, Leonide Massine, "I have always felt that dancing is like dreaming. You have to dream yourself into the dance...”
Remember to dream big, darling, and maybe even throw on a tutu while you're at it! Don’t forget to check back next week for another exciting peek into the wonderful world of ballet tutus! And until next Tuesday, keep sparkling, my dears!
P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on social media and join me in the world of #PinkTutuLiving! I’m always happy to share more fun fashion tips, travel stories and anything and everything related to the love of tutus!
This post was brought to you by a pink tutu enthusiast who absolutely loves everything about ballet and fashion. Keep your eyes on my next blog post, coming next Tuesday! 💖✨
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