Bonjour mes amies!
It's another fabulous #TutuTuesday, and you know what that means - time for a little journey through ballet tutu history! Today, we're stepping back to the magnifique year 1901! My trusty time travel tutu has whisked me away to Paris, where, as ever, style and grace reign supreme.
Todayâs date, January 8th, holds a particularly special significance for ballet enthusiasts: the day the esteemed dancer and choreographer, Isadora Duncan, took to the stage at the ThĂ©Ăątre du ChĂątelet in a daring performance! Isadora's style was truly revolutionary. Gone were the structured, corseted gowns of the classical ballet era. Isadora embraced fluidity and freedom, swirling through the theatre in a simple, flowing tunic inspired by Ancient Greek dress! Her dance movements were wild and expressive, capturing the spirit of emotion rather than sticking to strict balletic forms. And yes, this dance icon had an affinity for tutus as well! Just not the strictly classical type!
Tutus - Taking Shape in the 19th CenturyThe year 1901 finds us firmly within the romantic period of ballet. While Isadora Duncan and other innovators were breaking free, the classic tutu was in its glory days, evolving with ever more complex and intricate designs. Think billowing layers of tulle, strategically placed tiers and ruffles, and all the gorgeous ribbons you could wish for! They were indeed the most romantic garments you could imagine for graceful dancing and, dare I say, twirling! (And this was when all of that was still pretty much 'about' women.)
In the late 19th century, ballet tutus went from simply being a loose "skirt-shaped" fabric hanging from the waistline to being something much more precise and defined. There was the "Classical Tutu", often named the "Romantic Tutu", that flowed just to the knees. This tutu featured several layers of lightweight gauze-like material which gave the dancers a light, fairy-like feel as they moved gracefully across the stage!
You see, tutus, like everything else in the realm of fashion, evolved and by the early 20th Century we see the rise of a more "rigid" tutu in its development, the one we associate most closely with classical ballet - the âPagnolâ Tutu or the "Short Tutu".
It got its name from the dancer, "Pagnol" who had a design and production for dancers in France that became the fashion - it sits shorter than its predecessor and is supported by a corset (that means boned), with a single, layered 'cage' made from wire, around which several thin, often brightly colored layers of tulle or similar are attached to create a flared out look at the hip and below, giving dancers a streamlined and elegant silhouette and allowing for more complex steps like fouettes and jetés to be executed.
I have to confess I just love the short tutus for the visual impact! They really bring a "magical" look to ballet, not just in a technical physical sense for dancers but also to all the audience sitting and enjoying a fabulous spectacle on stage! Itâs like they are dancing above the ground, almost with magic... That said, all styles, short or long, really can convey beauty!
A Touch of Pink on the Stages of the WorldYou betcha! It was an exciting era for fashion, and all my time traveling brings me in contact with so many fabulous trends - think Edwardian Era! We are talking hats, elaborate necklines on dresses and gloves galore - such fun - and you can definitely bring this fashion to ballet to, especially as fashionistas such as dancers would surely love some colour! I know I certainly would, which is why, if it was me performing, a touch of pink would always be featured in my outfits! The Victorian age of fashion just has that glamourous feel. It can bring the stage alight! Itâs what my beloved time-travel tutus do â I've even used some in my last couple of shows here in ParisâŠ
I just adore how the color pink pops - the bright fuchsia, pale blush, hot shocking pink, whatever is around that's bold and stunning, and as a perfect colour to contrast a classic white tutu, giving it a lovely sparkly feel! Imagine it in one of these elaborate costumes! Swoon Pink is always so glamorous for a tutu donât you agree? It is one of the colours of the age, and with this particular style of the pagol short tutu you can just imagine it as stunning on stage!
Ballet Performance: A Feast for the Eyes (and for the Heart!)I am just bursting with excitement after witnessing the dance performances here! They really transport you into another world - one of art, elegance, and feeling. The artistry of every ballerina is truly inspiring â they can create incredible stories on stage with their expressive movements.
I am constantly astounded by their elegance - itâs the gracefulness of it, the gentle ease of movements like jetĂ©s and relevĂ©s (thatâs jumping and going up for you) all of which can just look effortless, which makes it so visually beautiful, I'm just mesmerized! (Don't get me wrong I know how much work is involved for them to even just appear to dance with ease.)
It's truly inspiring to witness so much creativity and passion on stage â and for me it all started when I was just a young girl attending ballet class in Derbyshire. Just remember folks that's the UK! Not just Paris, the UK can also do ballet, too!
So next time you are feeling overwhelmed by the everyday ordinary, get yourself out there and experience the magic of ballet! It's like an emotional roller coaster. Sometimes you'll be swept away with delight, sometimes you might cry, but you are guaranteed to be left wanting more. If thatâs not what life is all about, I donât know what is!
*And remember, every Tuesday, you can join me on my journey through tutu history right here at pink-tutu.com! Just like a real ballet class, I'll be doing a *relevĂ© â that's a little leap, you know? - with each #TutuTuesday. And you know, I may even do another little time hop next Tuesday. Who knows where it will take me!
I hope youâll join me! Always in your favorite pink!
Love,
Emma xx @PinkTutu
