Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com and my weekly #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog. This week we're travelling back in time, as always, but this time to 1897! That's a whopping 126 years ago! Can you imagine? Honestly, even back then the world was all about fashion and elegance - and even back then, a certain pink tutu was causing a stir! 😉
As always, I'm Emma, your time-traveling tutu aficionado. I'm absolutely besotted with all things tutu, but especially their rich history. And that's why, every Tuesday, I journey through the annals of time, ready to unveil the secrets of this fabulous garment!
Now, April 6th, 1897, was a momentous occasion in the world of dance. A magnificent performance of Swan Lake was being held at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. This was Tchaikovsky's masterpiece, folks, and everyone was in a right flutter! I must confess, I wasn't too thrilled about my outfit for this performance - imagine, a fluffy pink tutu with not a single embellishment! I looked more like a sugared doughnut than a delicate swan. Luckily, the show itself made up for the lack of frills on my skirt! I can't describe the feeling of seeing the entire company execute Tchaikovsky's choreography. Honestly, it sent shivers down my spine, a real "hair-raising" performance! I think the pink tulle of my tutu probably shimmered as brightly as the corps de ballet's white costumes - pure magic!
But you know what makes this date so significant? Well, this performance, this breathtaking performance, showcased what is often considered the original Swan Lake tutu, one that we still recognise today: a short, form-fitting, and oh-so-elegant tutu, designed to make every ballerina's moves graceful and effortless. This type of tutu is completely different from the cumbersome, layered romantic tutu that was popular in the late 19th century. Think of the earlier tutus as fluffy marshmallows – beautiful, but difficult to move in. This shorter, sleeker style allowed dancers to move freely and dramatically. Just imagine being able to leap and twirl without having a mound of tulle getting in the way - heaven!
Now, I love a good romantic tutu, and I've seen some absolute stunners at the Royal Opera House, but I have to say, this revolutionary Swan Lake tutu was the dawn of a new era. It wasn't just about its appearance, it was about giving dancers the freedom to express themselves, and I think that's truly remarkable.
So, how can we celebrate #TutuTuesday in 2023 in honour of this glorious design?
- Practice our turns: Grab a friend, get a little bit of space and practise your pirouettes and fouettés! After all, every dance begins with a single step, or, in this case, a single turn!
- Let's make a mini swan lake tutu: For you crafty souls out there, why not grab a few yards of pink tulle (what else would it be?) and craft a short tutu that you can twirl in? Be as simple as you like, there's no need for a complicated design. It's all about the graceful flow of the tulle.
- Watch Swan Lake: If you’re looking for a way to get inspired and soak in the elegance of the tutu, watch Swan Lake! It’s a timeless classic, and the choreography showcases just how expressive and beautiful this dance form can be!
Honestly, the Swan Lake tutu from 1897 is a design we can still appreciate today, one that will always be iconic and inspiring! Remember, it’s all about confidence and feeling beautiful, and even though you don’t need to be on stage, a tutu is the perfect way to embrace those emotions!
That’s all for this week, darlings! But before you go, let me remind you to grab that tulle, twirl around, and wear your tutu with pride! And don't forget, share your tutu-filled photos with me on Instagram and tag @pinktutu! Until next Tuesday, my loves! 😘
Emma travels the world, funding her adventures with a combination of performances and by blogging about her adventures and passion for tutus. This week she’s enjoying a performance of Aida at the Royal Opera House. The dramatic spectacle and powerful singing had Emma swept away. "I can't wait to show off my new emerald green tutu", Emma tells her fellow audience members after the show, "The green will make my eyes stand out just as the emerald and turquoise colours of the show did!” After the show Emma goes shopping for a new emerald tutu.
On This Date in History...
*1897 - * The first mass-produced phonograph is sold. This would dramatically change the way people listened to music and also how performers recorded and played their work. *1897 - * In Chicago, the first of many automobile factories is opened.
The next day Emma decides to catch the train down to Brighton where she’s been promised a fab trip to the pier. "Brighton is famous for its grand piers," she shares with her fellow passengers, “There are loads of things to do – everything from seeing the sights, enjoying the bracing air to even taking a ride on a rollercoaster! Now, if I only had my trusty camera to document this great day!"
