Welcome back to my Pink Tutu Blog! It's me, Emma, your friendly, time-traveling tutu enthusiast, bringing you all the latest news and insights into the glorious world of ballet tutus.
This week, I've travelled back to 1892 to discover the story behind the beautiful ballet costumes we know and love. Today's date, December 13th, 1892, marks a significant day in ballet history... but we'll get to that later!
You see, as a fellow tutu-lover, you must know that a proper pink tutu, isn't just a bit of tulle, it's a portal to the world of dreams and grace. And who better to take you on that journey than your favourite tutu-loving time-traveller, that's me, your Pink Tutu girl!
This week, I've decided to delve deeper into the history of ballet tutus! This is part of a new project of mine to cover a decade at a time!
A Time-Travelling BallerinaNow, how did a girl like me get to time-travel, you ask? Well, you know, a girl's got to fund her travel habits, and nothing does that quite like a little bit of performance!
From waltzing in the royal courts to performing on Broadway, I have strutted my stuff, in the most incredible tutus. As a time-travelling ballerina, I get to wear all the amazing designs across time, in styles I simply can't find at home!
Last week, I waltzed with the Vienna Opera Ballet for an afternoon and just this morning, I made it through a marathon session of rehearsals with the Russian Imperial Ballet. I am feeling tired, but energized by these gorgeous tutus and fabulous ballet performances!
Now, let's travel back to 1892!
The Late 1800s: A time of Elegance and Innovation in Tutus!This year, we're looking back to 1892. It was a big year for tutus! The era we are studying is one of tremendous creative progress for ballet and costume design.
A whole lot changed in the ballet world during the mid to late 1800s, starting with the invention of tulle! I bet you are picturing that classic, billowing, fluffy look right now... well it was all thanks to this wonderous material!
It's no accident that the Romantics era of ballet, ballet's Golden Age, came at the same time. Tulle wasn't only revolutionary, it transformed ballet dance itself. Gone were the restrictive corseted costumes! Women suddenly had a much greater freedom of movement! Tulle opened up possibilities for dancers!
Can you imagine the buzz? Imagine! The New Woman is arriving! The Belle Epoque! It's a whole new age of art and fashion!
Tutus, during this era were made of either layers and layers of fine tulle or more luxurious, very very delicate, silk! And oh how the colour palettes changed too! There were hues of pale blues and soft pinks. But the main feature of tutus, then as now, were beautiful, delicate, ornate embroidery! This embroidery really highlighted the artistic side of ballet and its beautiful costume design. And who can argue with a bit of added shimmer?!
What makes 1892 special?
1892 is the year the iconic Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky, the romantic classic, was revived by the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. What this meant, dear friends, is that the costume designs had to be totally remade!
Can you imagine being asked to remake a beloved, historic ballet design?
It is all about rethinking what made Sleeping Beauty so iconic, what defined its timeless charm and beauty, all while reflecting contemporary ideas, which would also give dancers new freedom of movement and the new styles of choreography!
Imagine the stress on the costumer designers at this time!
What they came up with, dear friends, were absolutely fabulous! Pink tutus are a thing! The famous 'Pink tutu' came into the ballet world! In Sleeping Beauty Aurora, the princess, takes the spotlight! All with the soft pink tutu and matching feathered tiara! This style set a new trend in tutu-design and is even now, something I wear and am obsessed with today. I have so many pink tutus. The color just makes me feel fantastic, vibrant and glamorous! What do you think about the colour pink?! Do you have a favourite colour of tutu?! Let me know in the comments below.
But why were ballet companies embracing new costume designs during this time?!
Well, darling, the popularity of ballet itself was rising! This was especially true in Russia, which was experiencing a period of immense cultural activity and prosperity. So it's really no surprise to me that these new tutus coincided with ballet reaching a huge level of popularity! It is important to remember, at this point in time, it wasn't like now, where you just popped to the theatre, *there was a real hunger for art and expression. The public couldn't get enough of it! I feel like we need to tap into this feeling of appreciation and love again for ballet and beauty. I want us to have that level of enthusiasm that made ballet explode! And who better to be the new ambassador than a pink tutu wearing ballerina?! Let's spread the love of pink tutus and beauty all over the world!
That's the end of this week's post!
Join me again next #TutuTuesday as we explore the exciting next decade in the history of ballet tutus!
Until then, let's celebrate tutus of all styles and colours! Do you want me to post something on a certain historical date? Let me know and I can tailor future posts.
Keep an eye out for my new project launching soon where I'll be celebrating a different tutu for every day of the week. I can't wait to share my fashion picks, some of the classic pieces from throughout time and a few fun tips!
Stay sparkly, darling!
Lots of love,
Emma.
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