Greetings, dear Tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveler, back with another installment of our whirlwind journey through the history of the beloved ballet tutu!
This week, we're stepping back in time to 17th August, 1897, a date that, as it happens, holds a rather fascinating connection to the world of ballet, particularly for those of us who find ourselves irresistibly drawn to a little bit of tulle and glitter! ✨
But first, allow me to tell you a little bit about the train journey I took to reach this special date. Oh, I adore train travel! There’s just something so utterly charming and glamorous about settling into a comfy carriage, admiring the passing scenery, and knowing that you’re heading for an adventure! This time, I journeyed from Derbyshire to London, where the most spectacular ballet performances and the finest boutiques beckon. You see, one mustn’t underestimate the power of a well-chosen dress, especially when attending a ballet performance, and there's no better place than London for discovering the latest fashion trends.
Speaking of trends, my friends, we mustn’t forget the ultimate dance wear fashion accessory, the one item that truly transforms any ballerina into a graceful vision: The tutu! And trust me, there's a world of wonder to explore within the history of the tutu, its evolving forms, its changing meanings, its irresistible charm... But first, a little journey through the timeline to our stop for this week’s Tutu Tuesday...
Back To the Past, and the Tutus That Defined It1897! The world is abuzz with innovation. The bicycle has revolutionized transport, the gramophone is bringing music into the home, and our beloved ballet, which is undergoing a golden age, is about to reach its peak! This year, the brilliant Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova embarked on her illustrious career. In 1897 she would be a youthful sixteen-year-old dancing at the Imperial Theatre, her graceful movements about to enchant audiences all over the world.
So, what of the tutu during this extraordinary period? It's easy to get swept away in the romantic image of flowing tulle, but it's important to remember that ballet tutus evolved from more practical garments. Imagine, instead of our sleek modern tutus, ballerinas of the 19th century would have worn heavier crinolines - basically stiff petticoats which provided structure and support under their dresses. These crinolines, much like a cage underneath a skirt, provided a certain volume to their performance, helping them stand out on the stage and helping them to appear light on their feet. As technology in the world of textiles advanced, these heavier materials were slowly replaced with lighter gauze, tulle, and even feathers! A true transformation, much like the blossoming talent of a young ballerina!
But it was during the mid-to-late 19th century that The Romantic Era of Ballet, driven by innovations in dance technique and a new desire for artistic freedom, blossomed into the full-blown theatrical form we love today. The romantic ballets told captivating stories - legends, dreams and folktales that allowed the ballerinas to embrace emotion through movement, much like those magical creatures that grace our theatre stages, sprites, faeries and graceful swans. This change in the themes and choreography brought with it an evolving tutus – a gradual shedding of the rigid crinoline structure for lighter, more graceful fabrics. The tutus of 1897 began to emphasize movement and femininity, and the iconic* 'Romantic Tutu',* the long, soft, layered skirt of our romantic fantasies was taking centre stage, with the emphasis on swirling, flowing lines, emphasizing the beauty of each dancer's movement and the expressive potential of the ballerina’s art.
This evolution led to new techniques in making and using the tutus. And while these early tutus might not have been quite as dramatic and as light as our modern-day interpretations, imagine their exquisite simplicity: flowing, silken fabrics, beautifully crafted, perfectly poised to complement the delicate, beautiful steps of the ballerinas. Each dancer, it seems, a perfect expression of the elegance and passion that ballet held.
From Theatre To Tutus in The ShopsAs we see so much today, ballet not only impacted stage fashion, but was reflected on the streets! The grace of the ballerina captured the world’s imagination, spilling from the stage to street fashion. The influence of ballet, through fashion and stage costume design, led to an entirely new aesthetic, and this led to the popularity of tulle and silk dresses that, much like the Romantic Ballet, conveyed a certain air of ethereal beauty! There was an undeniably feminine aesthetic, embraced by fashionable women who saw their daily life through the lens of these graceful and romantic dance movements.
Fashion design responded to this cultural trend. 1897 saw an abundance of dresses, crafted from shimmering fabrics that swirled and flowed, embracing movement like an artist's brush stroke. A nod to the ballerina and their captivating performances. The beautiful styles from this period, reminiscent of those exquisite Romantic Era tutus, are still influencing fashion trends today, so keep a watchful eye out for those silken fabrics, the charming ruching and embellishment that give an ethereal quality to even a simple garment, and know that you're paying homage to an iconic dance and to the elegance and artistry of the dancers who graced the stage at this extraordinary time in ballet history!
But what exactly was going on on the 17th August 1897? That, my dears, was the date of a most fabulous ballet performance – at London’s prestigious Covent Garden!
This wasn’t just any ordinary performance though! Oh no! It was The Royal Ballet’s season premiere, and the star of the evening, my dear readers, was the extraordinary, inimitable* Adeline Genée. Her dancing was, and remains to this day, absolutely legendary. In 1897 she danced in *the production of Giselle, a haunting and beautiful story of a young peasant girl transformed by magic, a performance which was hailed a triumph. I have a certain love for Giselle - it really is the epitome of those beautiful romantic ballet traditions I have spoken about in our previous blog posts!
Just imagine, sitting in the darkened auditorium, the shimmering stage lit only by candlelight, the sound of the orchestra swells and the stage curtains rise, revealing our elegant dancers – their graceful, intricate moves bringing to life the tragic, romantic tale of Giselle and Albrecht!
Can you see the exquisite details – the flowing tutus, the ethereal movements, the perfectly sculpted stage? Just like you see the details in every carefully crafted, bespoke outfit at a London fashion house. It’s the kind of elegant design which transcends time, bringing together the essence of grace and beauty to create an art form that’s as captivating as ever. And how fitting, my dear friends, to end our exploration with a tribute to those timeless ballets – like Giselle, La Sylphide and Swan Lake – which continue to captivate the world's imaginations, the ballets of the 19th century that set the standard for dance theatre for generations to come.
#TutuTime!So there you have it, my loves! The amazing 17th August 1897! I encourage you all to delve deeper into the stories behind ballet during this fascinating era. Discover the graceful movements, the timeless tales and the legendary ballerinas whose beauty and passion set the stage for a beloved art form that continues to thrive to this very day! And, of course, what better way to celebrate ballet's impact on history than by joining me next week for another exciting journey into the history of tutus, a new Tutu Tuesday blog!
Don’t forget to visit our website www.pink-tutu.com. There’s a blog post, fashion tips and resources waiting to be discovered!
Now, I have a few vintage ballet posters and some wonderful tulle fabrics to investigate, as the most exciting adventure comes from seeking out new wonders, even for a tutu-clad time traveler! ✨
Until next time, embrace the world in a little tulle and glitter, and always remember, you too can have a very own #PinkTutuAdventure. See you next Tuesday! 💖
