#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1897-04-20

Hello, darling! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It’s me, your favourite ballerina blogger, Emma, here with another #TutuTuesday and another captivating tale from the world of tutus. Today, we’re going on a historical trip back to the 20th of April, 1897, a date that just wouldn’t be the same without the elegance of ballet, and you know what goes with that? Pink tutus, of course!

You may think that tutus have been around forever, like fluffy pink clouds in the sky, but my darling, history’s a funny thing – it loves a good surprise! While ballet was certainly in vogue back in 1897, our favourite little dancewear companions, the tutus, were still in their infancy! Think of them as a little ballerina chick, just starting to sprout its feathers – they were more like... what were they even? We’re not entirely sure!

There wasn’t a set style or design back then, just variations on a theme. Think layers of tulle, perhaps some delicate fabric ruffles, a dash of ribbon here and there, but no structured design like the iconic tutu we know today! They weren't all pink, either - I love a good splash of colour! You might find tutus in shades of lilac, pastel blue, or a hint of rose – all very romantic, but nothing quite as show-stopping as pink , my darling.

Today's ballet, back in 1897, was all about movement. They were less concerned about the dress and more about the dance! It’s quite romantic, really – thinking of these beautiful ballerinas gliding across the stage in their flowing, delicate "tutus." That was the key - graceful movement! And speaking of movement... Let’s journey by train back to the 20th April 1897! I've got my latest pink tutu ready - a vintage look, with a touch of Edwardian charm, a generous puff of tulle, and a generous dollop of ribbons to add a little extra 'je ne sais quoi' . And darling, let’s not forget the feather boa - a girl's gotta add a touch of dramatic flair, right?

It’s time for a whistle-stop tour of the fashion, the theatre and of course, the ballet of April 20th, 1897. Hold onto your hats, darling, and prepare for a flurry of frills and fancy!

First stop: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. We're going straight to the centre of the London stage! I imagine it was buzzing with excitement and packed with elegant theatre-goers. It's quite wonderful to picture those ladies with their elaborate hairstyles and long flowing gowns - perhaps even a hint of tulle here or there!

On that particular night, they would have been treated to "The Sign of the Cross" – a historical drama about the Roman Empire, filled with intrigue, action, and, yes, even a touch of romance! I imagine the stage itself would have been dazzling with lavish costumes, rich set designs and theatrical lighting - pure spectacle!

There wasn’t any ballet in "The Sign of the Cross," my dear, but that didn't stop the demand for ballet from spreading across Europe like wildfire. Just a few short years earlier, Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," a magical story full of romance and swirling dancing ballerinas, had swept the stages and the public were absolutely in love with it! It was just waiting for its perfect pink tutu!

While “The Sign of the Cross” might not have featured a ballet, the spirit of dance and graceful movement was definitely alive in the heart of London. There were ballrooms dancing in waltz time every night and music playing in every salon - this was the time when ballroom dancing reached the peak of its popularity - and just wait until you hear what was brewing in Paris...

Ah, Paris, the city of romance, of dreams, and of dancing, darling! I’d be absolutely besotted with Paris in 1897 – and why wouldn't I be? Think Parisian cafes buzzing with gossip and laughter, charming little boutiques bursting with elegant dresses, and ladies in gorgeous silk hats strolling along the Champs-Elysees. Oh my! The whiff of creativity and artistry would just be heavenly!

Paris was also overflowing with ballet, and let me tell you, this was a truly exciting time in dance history! The year 1897 marked the premiere of “The Dying Swan,” by Michel Fokine. I imagine a beautiful, ethereal, dancer in a soft tulle dress, expressing every nuance of sadness and sorrow with her beautiful moves! I’d love to see her dance - I just bet it's beautiful - almost too graceful for words!

It was also around this time that Anna Pavlova, the ballerina who danced her heart out in a little dress called “The Dying Swan," first burst onto the stage. She's a legend now, my darling, known for her lightness and expressive movement. A ballerina in every sense of the word, I think. You know it’s true - when we think of ballet history, her name, alongside Tchaikovsky's music and a little thing called “The Nutcracker," simply have to be mentioned, darling!

And while Anna Pavlova was mesmerising audiences in Paris with her talent, in St. Petersburg, the beautiful world of Russian Ballet was in full swing, making its way toward global domination.

I think I need a good cup of tea and some sweet pastries to fully digest the amazing beauty of 1897’s ballet world - those dresses must be dazzling!

Of course, you just have to talk about the fashion of the era, darling! You’re probably asking, “What was everyone wearing?” And my answer is… lots and lots of layers! Think lace, frills, bustles, velvet, silks and... swoon... pleats! It was quite the fashionable scene, darling. The late 1890s was a time of opulence, beauty, and a serious case of the-more-frills-the-better !

Those ladies just couldn't resist the allure of embellishment – lace, ribbon, ruffles, flowers... I mean, darling, it’s all I ever want! My own heart would burst into frou-frou glory in 1897! You see, while the world of tutus was still finding its way in those days, fashion was just begging to be adorned in every colour of the rainbow! That opulent style has been calling out to me ever since I learned about it - the dresses, the shoes, the hats, the parasols... a true heaven of loveliness, I tell you.

You can imagine those elegant ladies in the cafes and salons, sipping their tea and admiring each other's lavish ensembles. I just want to get caught up in that glamorous whirl of elegance! That is how I like to imagine 1897 - elegant, luxurious and, oh yes, so incredibly fashionable! I'll tell you this... it certainly wasn’t a world of beige and muted tones! Those fashionistas of 1897 really loved to make a statement with their ensembles - bold colour combinations, dainty jewels, delicate trims – and every little detail added a dash of extravagance to the look. I'm just imagining the hats... hats made with ostrich feathers and floral embellishments, perched at such a dashing angle. What a fabulous world!

Let’s take a moment to talk about our little dancewear love – the tutu! In 1897, tutus were evolving... just imagine a young ballerina chick fluttering her little tutu feathers! This period was a time of exploration in dance, and of course, the outfits played a vital part. The designs might have been loose and airy, with delicate fabrics flowing with every movement... and that, my darling, was precisely how those dancers wanted it to be. It’s just as romantic and inspiring to think about today!

Just picture this scene:

Imagine a young ballet dancer taking her first steps on the stage in a fluttering dress, the stage lights softly bathing her in golden glow, as the music swells around her, whispering to her feet to glide across the boards… It’s truly magical, my dear! It makes me thrill with anticipation to see the next step in tutu history!

Speaking of steps, darling, I’ve just discovered a fascinating fact - The first version of the classic ballerina tutu as we know it today was actually introduced in the 1870s, not even that long before our 1897 time travellers’ stop! How fascinating is that! And did you know that those first "real" tutus, in that short time since their arrival on stage, had already moved from practicality to a symbol of the beauty of dance? And here's a little piece of ballet history, my dear: The style we see today, where the tutus are made up of multiple layers of tulle... the one we call the “classical tutu” ... did you know, darling, that this wasn't born until 1905 ! So there you have it, our beloved tutu, that magnificent pink puff of dancing wonder!

Oh, what a grand and historical journey we’ve taken today! What an exciting world it was!

As we’ve traveled through this wonderful time, my love, I'm struck by how the history of ballet and fashion so gracefully blends together. One influences the other and vice-versa. I’m convinced they're inseparable – you know it's true! And the more I travel back in time, the more I believe it's important to celebrate the legacy and evolution of both. And who could forget the glorious story of our beloved pink tutu, that beautiful ballerina staple!

Let me leave you with this thought, darling: Whether you're enjoying a classic ballet performance in a magnificent old theatre or simply taking a twirl in your own tutu at home, you're stepping into a rich history of beauty, grace, and art! And that's something worth celebrating!

Let me know what you think about this little trip into ballet history! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

And until next time, darlings, always remember – every day is a new opportunity to dance your heart out in your very own pink tutu!

Until next Tuesday!

Love,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com

P.S Don't forget to follow us on social media! #pinktutu #balletlove #tutuhistory

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