Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina, bringing you another delightful dose of ballet history every Tuesday. Today, we're taking a trip back in time, all the way to June 1st, 1897. I've been particularly excited for this trip because the fashion and the ballet scene back then were just so wonderfully dramatic. Think big hats, elaborate gowns, and graceful movements that simply took your breath away!
We're going to the heart of the ballet world - Paris! Now, this was a period of phenomenal change for ballet, with some truly iconic dancers gracing the stage. And as we all know, a great dancer needs a great tutu!
So, let's delve into the world of 1890s ballet tutus, shall we?
It's quite a departure from our modern designs. Forget about the shorter, more aerodynamic tutus we see today, back then, they were longer and more dramatic! Imagine swirling clouds of tulle, extending almost to the floor. A vision of romanticism and femininity. These were known as Romantic Tutues, with layers and layers of tulle creating a sense of volume and movement that was simply captivating. The key was all about the flowing, swirling movement, giving a real fairytale feeling to the dancers on stage.
Think delicate floral prints, shimmering embroidery, sparkling beads and a multitude of frills - it was a time when embellishment was key, my dears! Imagine that glorious combination of textures and colours on stage, a real explosion of beauty!
Itās amazing to consider the evolution of the tutu, a simple garment which has evolved with ballet, it truly mirrors the progression of dance and its interpretation of movement and expression through the decades.
I am thrilled to tell you, we can trace the origins of our iconic ballet tutu right back to this time, thanks to the pioneering genius of Marie Taglioni! Now, imagine this: In the 1830s, this dancing darling changed the way dancers performed and, by extension, what they wore. She revolutionised the look of ballet tutus! Marie's iconic ballet āLa Sylphideā in 1832 is often credited with introducing a āRomantic Tutu,ā lighter and shorter, as it reflected her ethereal, otherworldly image, and you know, that just got me thinkingā¦. perhaps it's time we embraced some of that 1830s Romanticism, wouldn't that be utterly divine? A splash of whimsical lightness, a sense of fairytale grace? Perhaps for my next Tutu Tuesday, we could try a tutu in a very soft pale shade of pink... or white... giggles blushes
Speaking of dancing beauties, what were they wearing on this exact day, June 1st 1897? Oh, Iāve seen a photograph of Isadora Duncan (don't mistake her for a ballerina!) who is one of the first dancers to really push boundaries - I love her style - with her dancing she is said to have made her audiences realise ballet doesnāt have to be just graceful movement! It can be expressive too. Iāll leave that as a thought to ponder for you darlings! Anyway back to June 1st 1897ā¦. Isadora's photograph shows her wearing a beautiful simple dress - a Grecian inspired frock with lovely flowing lines. Now Iāve got my little brain whirring already, wouldn't a Grecian styled dress be absolutely heavenly with a tutu? Just a hint of draping, perhaps some Grecian inspired gold jewelry and I could feel an ethereal elegance to that. Just add a pop of colour with the bright pink tutu and weād be dancing like the Goddesses we truly are!
Now, darling friends, you've seen just a tiny glimpse of this magical time through the lens of ballet history, and trust me, the 1890s were full of such captivating moments! Let's delve a bit deeper, and take a stroll with me along the cobbled streets of Paris: We can indulge in some decadent French pastries, marvel at the fashionably clad Parisians with their flamboyant style, and witness the majestic beauty of ballet.
Now I am off for some Parisiennes style shopping in our very own Derbyshire, a trip to my favourite store in our local market to browse vintage lace trim for my next creation (perhaps a touch of vintage flair on my tutu is just what is needed ā¦ blushing) , before catching a ballet show in my hometown of Buxton. The town hall here really gets behind the arts and always puts on such a marvellous ballet and dance shows! I can't wait to let the magic of the dance move through me as I twirl alongside the performers in the audience, feeling a bit like a ballerina in my own right, I must confess to that - just a little twirl every so often makes me so happy and so connected with this beautiful art! And who knows? Perhaps even find some more inspiration for our next Tutu Tuesday.
Until next time, darling, remember to keep on twirling and embracing the beauty that lies in your own inner ballerina!
Emma xxx
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