Hello, darling! Welcome back to another edition of Pink Tutu Time Travels! I'm your favourite pink-clad ballerina blogger, Emma, and this month we're journeying back to a most interesting September 9th in the world of ballet - 1915!
My dear readers, it is a day that lingers in the hearts and minds of every true ballet devotee. As the first world war cast a dark shadow over the world, the ballet world too, stood still. It wasn't just about the ongoing conflict; the devastating losses of dancers and choreographers felt so personal.
I'm at the stables right now, saddling my fabulous steed - Magic Meg! You know her, of course, my pink-sparkling shire with the golden hooves and glorious white mane and tail - just the sort of girl a pink tutu-loving ballerina needs for her travels. She's snorting impatiently; you'd think she knew this was a big one! And it is. Just picture us galloping through the fields of Derbyshire and into that special ballet world of 1915!
Now, 1915 was the year a truly monumental figure graced the stage: Vaslav Nijinsky. You know how much I adore his innovative work, his expression of emotional complexity, the daring steps, all made so real and relatable by his raw talent! The very same day I'm journeying to - September 9th, 1915 - was a special night! It was the night Nijinsky presented his masterpiece, "Le Sacre du Printemps." He would forever be changed by that premiere, and in many ways so would the ballet world.
However, in 1915, the audience was in uproar, so shocking was Nijinsky's innovative vision, a kind of dance-driven symphony. The crowd even disrupted the ballet at one point! You could almost say, the whole world had stopped in its tracks. But to this day, "Le Sacre du Printemps" continues to challenge and provoke the very definition of ballet. That's a true test of time and true innovation! Iāve managed to snag some ballet books from the era for my rucksack (this leather oneās a real gem!), including "The Rite of Spring," by Stravinsky, and one from "Les Ballets Russes", so I can really get into the heart of it all, the fashion, the costumes and the choreography!
Donāt worry, we'll dive deeper into that explosive premiere soon. We're here in the present - in the era of the ballerina blogger - to understand just how monumental a moment it was in dance history.
As a ballet blogger, I must share with you that one of the biggest influences I have found in 1915 - it's that bold expression of style. It is an age when femininity is everything, the most glorious fashion you can imagine. The tutus were grand, voluminous, a riot of lace, tulle and exquisite hand beading. Just as weāre seeing that fabulous femininity come back into the 21st Century ā in 2015 - itās the time period to bring in more glamour into every detail. And donāt get me started on those gorgeous shoes: satin slippers and dancing pumps with gleaming crystal buckles! Theyāve got that romantic and timeless look - a reminder that true glamour knows no era, even through the harshest of times.
I was lucky enough to visit the archives at the Victoria and Albert Museum, just yesterday. I discovered some incredible photos of ballet dancers of the time - all in such beautiful costumes and, my favourite: wearing exquisite pink tutus! Imagine my joy at finding pink chiffon swirling around them. Itās simply captivating! It truly is the perfect hue for elegance and artistry, which just brings home how timeless it is, isnāt it? So many colours can fall in and out of fashion, but pink - the true colour of passion and grace - has always, and will always remain!
Speaking of captivating ballet moments, the Bolshoi Ballet had the great dancer, Mikhail Fokine, presenting āLe Pavillon dāArmide.ā I just love this ballet - I have seen many versions of this classic and the Bolshoi have a special history attached to them. It is, by all accounts, a powerful performance; and again, like Nijinskyās āRite of Springā it shows just how far ballet can go! It also demonstrates how many people had a major impact on this very particular time, just before war swept across the world and caused so much disruption. Itās worth reading all that you can - if you are as fascinated by the historical details as I am!
In a world where the glamour of a beautiful ballerina was a light during difficult times, ballet dancers had the incredible strength and fortitude to bring their art to a hurting world. You know I adore vintage finds and just managed to unearth a truly beautiful and delicate antique lace shawl from the 1915 period, the very same style dancers would have been wearing in those days. Can you just picture this? They are performing, with that intricate white shawl draped on their shoulders; it brings a beautiful, graceful contrast, it simply melts the heart!
One of my most fascinating findings during this 1915 journey - which was an utter treat - was in the most unconventional of places. Just picture this! Imagine a shop full of the most glamorous costumes, in a corner store. It was a veritable fashion paradise! Everything I saw just brought the world of 1915 ballet to life. I found some of the most gorgeous feathered hats and exquisite sequined shoes, all perfectly designed to complement a dancer's moves! The delicate detail of those glittering, beaded gowns - even today - they still have that wow factor!
I must tell you about my shopping adventures, because it goes without saying, there was an amazing boutique where I was able to find a very special gift! I bought a beautiful pink tutu to take with me on this trip! It was covered in tiny pearls and delicate embroidery - pure glamour! Now, when you see this blog post - it may look a bit dated, but think of the context! Weāre in the same vein as fashion icons of the day. That is just how things were!
Of course, I canāt finish this blog without giving my own spin on 1915. Imagine if I, a pink-clad ballerina from the present-day Derbyshire, walked into a 1915 theatre. I can already picture the reactions of those gathered in the theatre to a bright, sparkly pink tutu-wearing girl - complete with my pink tulle bow! Would it be scandalous, intriguing, perhaps just an odd curiosity? I can only imagine how they might react - or even the excitement I might get on a trip like that. My friends, I just cannot wait to continue my journeys to this glorious ballet world of 1915. Itās going to be exciting and thereās much to explore! So, my little lovelies, let us raise our pink champagne to that era, that enduring artistry, and most certainly to our dazzling dance journey! I hope this little ballet tour to 1915 was inspiring for you. It sure was for me!
Love, Emma x
**(PS - My readers have been suggesting other dates, but we have a bit of time-traveling to do! Do leave your suggestions - I would love to hear about any dates you'd like to see!)
(* www.pink-tutu.com*)
