Hello, my fellow tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger, bringing you another exciting journey through the world of the tutu! Today, we're hopping aboard the time-travelling train (and I've got a vintage hat that's perfect for this era!) and heading to 4 December 1900 – that's the start of the really good tutu era! 😉
This is #TutuTuesday Blog Post Number 3597 on www.pink-tutu.com! For those of you new here, every week on Tuesdays I share a historical snippet of tutu-wearing glory! You can even join the chat on Instagram with the hashtag #TutuTuesday!
(Now, if only I could make it a world-wide trend... I mean, imagine if every Tuesday everyone wore pink tutus? 😍 That would be tutu-licious!)
Anyway, I have to admit, I'm absolutely thrilled to be back in the early 1900s! We're right smack-dab in the heart of the Edwardian period, where fashion and theatre were taking on some glorious, decadent trends! Imagine a perfect blend of flowing gowns, whimsical hats, and the beginnings of something quite revolutionary - the tutu we know and love today!
I've always adored the romance and beauty of the Edwardian era! It was a time of graceful silhouettes, swirling fabrics, and a passion for the arts! It's like everything was a bit more elaborate back then - which obviously makes for some spectacular fashion and even more spectacular ballet!
But what was going on in the world of ballet exactly on December 4th, 1900?
That's a good question, isn't it?! I can tell you this, on December 4th 1900 the world was quite literally captivated by the stage. From grand operas to the rising popularity of ballet, performances were the ultimate way to be seen. (Just imagine! Ballet tickets as the most sought-after invite in town? Now that’s how you start a tutu trend!)
It's almost a perfect example of why tutus still captivate us today: Because tutus aren't just about a dance, they're about a moment, a performance, a whole experience.
But, just imagine what that tutu experience looked like in 1900. You see, the tutus were evolving, transforming into something much more dramatic! The traditional, fluffy, romantic tutus - you know, the kind that looks like you've wrapped yourself in a giant marshmallow - weren’t quite the same just yet. Think more delicate, ethereal, like wisps of fabric! The shorter, more classic tutu silhouette (you know, the one with the layers that float beautifully as you dance!) - was beginning to take form.
I'd have loved to see what was happening on stage at the Paris Opera House that night! The tutus, I imagine, were spectacular – flowing like the smoke rising from a lit cigarette in that grand, swirling room! And what about those elegant ballerinas? Did they look completely different from ballerinas today? Maybe a little bit. Think more delicate makeup, flowing gowns with big, elegant hats, and perhaps a whisper of the very first ballerina pointe shoes! Imagine – pointy shoes for pointework that are elegant and delicate, almost as delicate as the fabric of their costumes!
Of course, in my perfectly pink tutu, I'd be right at home amongst those ladies, wouldn’t I? 😍 But I’ll keep that secret from my travelling colleagues. I need to find out more about what ballet in 1900 is all about… but first, off to get a cuppa and then the train back home. 🚂☕️
And you know what? The train journey is actually a bit like ballet! I get to observe everyone going about their daily lives, watch their different forms of movement, even catch their reactions when I walk by. (In this very very girly pink tutu!) 🤫 It's my daily ballet performance! And trust me, you learn a lot from the real-world dancers… I mean, it’s not quite as graceful as seeing swans dance around a lake… but still, I learn so much! 🦢
Anyways, keep your eye out for my next #TutuTuesday adventure, and in the meantime – have a beautiful week full of happy dances and gorgeous tutus. 🩰💖
See you next week!
Emma x x
