Christmas Ballet in 1913

Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and welcome back to another edition of my Christmas ballet history blog, www.pink-tutu.com! Today, we're whisking ourselves back to the enchanting year of 1913, where the world of ballet was undergoing a beautiful transformation. Get ready for a journey into the heart of a momentous Christmas season, a time of captivating performances and exquisite fashion. Buckle up your ballet shoes, darling, it's going to be a whirlwind tour!

Imagine, if you will, a chilly Christmas Eve in 1913. Paris is aglow with festive cheer, its grand opera houses filled with elegantly dressed attendees, all eager for a dazzling performance. But tonight, something special awaits them - the premiere of "The Rite of Spring", a groundbreaking ballet by the innovative composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. Now, let me tell you, this ballet was not your typical Christmas Eve treat.

"The Rite of Spring" challenged the norms of the time, defying convention with its primal rhythms, discordant music, and starkly symbolic choreography. Think jagged, primitive movements instead of the graceful arabesques you usually see in ballets, darling. It was an explosion of raw, visceral energy, something that had never been seen before in the world of ballet. Imagine dancers clad in bold, earthy costumes, evoking a pagan ritual. Imagine the shockwaves this ballet sent through the audience, some filled with revulsion, while others were captivated. A true game-changer, it kickstarted a revolution in ballet, marking a departure from the traditional ballets of the past.

Now, as you can imagine, even with its daring nature, this revolutionary performance generated quite a stir among the fashionable set of 1913. There were those who swooned over its originality, declaring it a masterpiece of artistry and daring. They flocked to the performance, their costumes bold and dramatic.

This is where my fashion obsession truly kicks in, darlings. The clothes people wore to this ballet premiere were, shall we say, interesting! Forget dainty lace and frills, this was an era of a new silhouette, one of sharp lines, androgynous shapes, and bold embellishments. Ladies wore sleek gowns with daring plunging necklines, adorned with vibrant jewel tones and sleek furs, and topped with a chic brimless cloche hat, their hair styled in loose waves, the fashionable "bob" hairstyle gaining momentum.

The men sported sleek suits, with high collars and wide lapels. Many embraced the modern look, with tight trousers and double breasted coats. They accessorised with bowler hats, which were oh-so-popular at the time, giving a gentlemanly and almost dapper, whimsical touch.

You can picture it all: the murmur of hushed whispers in the gilded halls, the hushed silence that fell over the theater as the curtain rose, the gasps and shocked laughter when Nijinsky and his troupe of dancers began their unconventional performance. Imagine, darling, the electricity in the air, the energy rippling through the elegant throng. Oh, it was unforgettable!

While the "Rite of Spring" revolutionized ballet, 1913 also saw some spectacular and exquisite performances that maintained the classical grace you adore, dear readers. Take Anna Pavlova for example. Her grace and elegance captivated audiences, her performances were legendary and exquisite. Imagine a petite ballerina, her movements effortless, flowing like a whisper. She wore simple yet stunning tutus in shades of white and silver, shimmering like snowflakes in the glow of the stage lights. It was pure, ethereal beauty, the kind that inspires endless awe and admiration, the true essence of ballet magic.

Let's take a peek at some of the ballet fashion trends that captured the heart of the 1913 dance enthusiast, darlings. Just think of the breathtaking dresses of Madame Vionnet, which were the ultimate embodiment of the era’s chicness. These garments, flowed with graceful drapes and artful draping, celebrating the feminine form in the most sophisticated way. Now, imagine these gowns paired with a simple ballet slipper, just a hint of color to add a dash of elegance. This was a year for true elegance, dear reader!

Even the ballet dancers, with their captivating, rhythmic movements, adopted some fashionable elements from everyday fashion of the time. You see, in 1913, the focus on length shifted - longer and flowing was all the rage! This was embraced in ballet tutus as well. It was the age of the long and slender, a movement seen in everything, from gowns and costumes, to the elegant dancers themselves. The elegance was not just on the stage; the whole culture was swept up in this elegant flow of fashion!

Think sleek silhouettes, long satin lines that swirled as the dancers pirouetted. They weren’t as fluffy and dramatic as tutus are today - in 1913, it was about elegant movement and smooth, unhindered transitions, so the dancers moved with even greater grace, making each pirouette and arabesque all the more mesmerizing.

And the colour palette of ballet in 1913? Oh darling, it was simply dreamy! Pastels, soft hues, with shades of blush, soft pinks, and the most delicate powder blues - all beautifully accented with silver embroidery and glistening sequins, for that added touch of sparkle, that magic on the stage. These ballet dancers became the vision of grace, femininity, and fashion - they truly became embodiments of the art form itself, didn't they?

My darlings, I’ve mentioned this before, and it still fills me with joy - time-traveling back to previous Christmas seasons to explore ballet history is such a delight, a pure pleasure, and it gives me the opportunity to see the beautiful history of dance up close, but it’s not just about the performances themselves. The true wonder, the real treat, lies in the opportunity to absorb the enchanting ambiance and dress up for the occasion, doesn't it?

Let me paint a scene for you, dear reader. The streets are lit with festive lights. There is an intoxicating aroma of sugar plums and gingerbread filling the air. I find myself standing amongst the vibrant Christmas markets in the city of London, filled with dazzling baubles, sparkling decorations, and delectable treats. It’s absolutely mesmerizing! As I’m immersed in this wonderful Christmas atmosphere, I make my way to a tea room, graciously decorated with boughs of holly and a warming fireplace, and sip on a soothing cup of English breakfast tea while taking in the charming ambiance and people watching.

As my time in this historical period comes to a close, I can't help but feel that little bit sad to leave such a captivating time and a beautifully dressed world behind me, darlings! As I transition back to my present, I'm overflowing with inspiration and filled with ideas, eager to share them with all of you!

Don’t you want to step back into time yourself and soak in all the wonder that the past has to offer, darling? Let your imagination dance, imagine those magnificent, elegant costumes, those magical shows in magnificent theaters and those amazing ballrooms! But remember, the magic doesn’t always have to be in the past!

Let's make history right now. Let’s get dressed in our beautiful ballet tutus and step out onto the streets, where the Christmas decorations sparkle in the moonlight, and the city lights twirl in the wind like an ever-moving ballerina. And when you're ready, dear reader, why not find the nearest theater and indulge in the magnificent world of ballet, for Christmas or any time!

Until next time, darlings, stay pink! xx Emma.