Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to my #TutuTuesday blog! Today, we’re going to take a little trip back to the early 1900s, a time of incredible change and blossoming artistry, especially when it comes to ballet!
Now, before we get carried away, let’s talk about my most recent escapade! I just spent a delightful weekend in Paris, which as you know, is the very epicentre of all things ballet and fabulous! The City of Lights is bursting with chic boutiques, delectable patisseries (you haven’t truly lived until you've had a Parisian croissant!), and the most captivating ballet performances. I saw the most incredible rendition of Giselle, which had me weeping with emotion – I do love a good dramatic ballet, don’t you?
Speaking of dramatic, it seems I’m rather prone to impulsive spending. A whole shopful of tulle, sequins and ribbons – oh dear! It just wouldn’t do for me to arrive back in my time without the latest trends. So yes, a few extra parcels might be headed my way…shhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but I managed to snag a stunning new tutu from one of those exclusive designer shops just behind the Opera Garnier. It’s an exquisite shade of blush pink – naturally, perfect for all of you lovely ladies to try and recreate for next Tuesday's #TutuTuesday Instagram challenge.
But enough about my escapades. Back to our journey through ballet tutu history, my dear dears.
Today’s date, 16th July 1901, holds a significant place in our story, for it marks a day filled with the elegant swirling of skirts, graceful steps and a whole lot of pas de deux.
Let’s begin by stepping into the magnificent Palais Garnier in Paris, home to the revered Paris Opera Ballet. This elegant theatre, built in the 1870s, is the very heartbeat of ballet history and boasts a majestic atmosphere that is both exciting and humbling. Even in this period, its reputation for showcasing unparalleled talent was reaching its zenith.
This year saw the Paris Opera Ballet under the esteemed direction of Louis Mérante continue to push boundaries, embracing innovative choreography and costume designs. They had the esteemed ballerina Cléo de Mérode, the 'First Dancer', a shining star in their constellation. Cléo de Mérode captivated audiences with her dazzling beauty and unparalleled skill, creating a lasting legacy of both fashion and grace.
You see, darling, it's important to remember that ballet in the early 1900s was not simply about movement, but also about fashion. Ballet dancers, especially in places like Paris and St. Petersburg, were considered trendsetters, and their costumes were scrutinized just as much as those worn on the Parisian boulevards.
And so, on 16th July 1901, as a particularly dazzling performance of La Bayadère captivated a sophisticated audience, a small revolution was happening in the world of ballet costumes. The Ballet Russes, with its electrifying choreography and dramatic sets, had swept through the Parisian ballet scene in the last few years, challenging the established conventions of the day. While their tutus had brought drama to the stage in terms of length and movement, they were still following traditional design elements.
However, one costume detail was catching everyone's attention; a hint of something revolutionary, hinting at a future filled with even greater change - the tutu, traditionally a fluffy and elegant explosion of layers of tulle, started appearing in newer shades.
There were whispers of pastel blues and hints of blush pinks making their appearance onstage, moving away from the pure whites that had been the ballet tradition. This might seem like a tiny detail to you, but it’s important to remember that fashion moves in cycles and it’s the small details that eventually become huge trends!
Back to La Bayadère, you see. Our ballerina Cléo de Mérode was showcasing an almost revolutionary detail in this production; the tutu, although it followed the accepted Romantic style with multiple tiers, and remained modest in length (a requirement of the Paris Opera), had a new touch of delicate rose colour. Not enough to detract from the white, but definitely enough to be seen.
It was a statement.
Just like the first woman who had the audacity to wear a dress a tiny inch higher above her ankle in a time where hemlines reached the ground – the ripple effect was immediate. A tiny, yet bold step in a changing world.
This kind of experimentation – that subtle change of shade that caught the attention of everyone in the room – is precisely what we love to explore on #TutuTuesday! We get to marvel at how these early innovators paved the way for us to dance and dream in a riot of colour.
Do you remember the days when we were all stuck wearing pale pink and the same frilly tulle? It is wonderful how these fashion changes, how that daring step in an elegant production, led us to a kaleidoscope of colour!
Let’s face it, darlings, wearing a pink tutu just wouldn’t have the same je ne sais quoi if it wasn't for these early pioneers who took a step away from the conventional. They've opened up a whole world of possibilities.
As for our #TutuTuesday challenge today – remember those dainty pastel colours I picked up in Paris? Get those needle and thread out! This is about showcasing a gentle evolution, a graceful step away from pure white. Not the big, bold steps, but the little, quiet steps of subtle change!
Show me your blush pinks and lilac swirls – those little bursts of gentle color, just like our ballerina Cléo de Mérode. Let's see what magical creations you come up with!
Keep your tutus twirling and don’t forget to tag #TutuTuesday so I can see all your fantastic fashion ideas.
Until next week, keep the dreams and the dancing alive!
Emma, your pink tutu wearing time travelling ballerina, signing off!
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com every Tuesday for our weekly #TutuTuesday ballet history blog posts. And be sure to follow me on Instagram for the latest pink tutu adventures and a behind-the-scenes look into the exciting world of time-travelling ballet. See you there!
Disclaimer: This blog post is a work of fiction and is not meant to be historically accurate. While I do strive to research thoroughly, my aim is to write a fun and entertaining story about the history of tutus! I'm also not actually a time traveler (though it is very fun to imagine!). If you are interested in more accurate historical accounts of ballet history, please refer to academic texts and research materials.
