Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed ballerina, back again with another juicy instalment of #TutuTuesday! This week, I'm taking a trip back to the enchanting world of ballet in the year 1901, the dawn of a new century, where elegance and grace were as much the style as the movement!
Oh my goodness, darling, just imagine the thrill of catching a glimpse of the iconic Diaghilev Ballets Russes in the shimmering Parisian theatres back then. The costumes were just pure decadence, my dears - silks and satins dripping in dazzling embroidery, shimmering with sequins, all the better to capture the glittering lights! The tutus, though not as voluminous as those worn by today's ballerinas, were still undeniably glamorous - delicate, diaphanous and wonderfully, gloriously, pink! Just imagining their swirling forms, like ethereal, blushing clouds, brings tears to my eyes!
Now, for our little history lesson… The turn of the century brought a blossoming of fashion-conscious innovation for tutus, as designers started playing with different fabrics and styles to create ever-more breathtaking looks. And let's not forget the gorgeous, hand-sewn detail, oh the craftsmanship! I’d adore having a peek into their little workshops, wouldn’t you? It’s truly amazing to think that such masterpieces of artistry were born out of simple, hand-crafted creativity, a stark contrast to the modern mass-produced designs (though I confess, some of those are very lovely too!).
For those of you new to the world of pink tutus and ballet, here's a quick glimpse into how tutus were designed and worn back then:
A Dash of Delicate Delights:
Firstly, picture this… instead of our trusty, modern-day tulle, the tutus of the era were often crafted from silk, sheer muslin, or even diaphanous layers of gauze. Can you imagine how airy and light they would have felt to dance in? A true dream for any ballerina!
Twirling Through Time:
Unlike their present-day counterparts with their full, tiered layers of fluffy tulle, the 1901 tutus tended to be slimmer and less bulky, focusing more on graceful, flowing lines. Think of the classic shape we see in Giselle or The Sleeping Beauty - a delightful balance between elegance and artistry!
The Colours That Catch the Eye:
And the colours, oh the colours! Back then, ballet was about capturing the eye, so imagine vibrant hues of rosy pink, buttery yellow, azure blue, and the deepest, richest purples gracing the stages. Oh, darling, they truly were a symphony of colour, wouldn’t you agree?
A Little Whimsy for Every Girl:
One of the most delightful things about 1901 tutus was their little, added flourishes - dainty ruffles, delicate ribbons, and shimmering jewels - all those charming details brought a touch of fantasy and sparkle to every performance! Now wouldn’t that be just wonderful to see on stage?
Our Tutu Timeline
Now, my dearest tutu-loving friends, let's take a moment to peek at what’s happening with the tutu's journey to this day…
1901: The Dawn of the New Era On this date in 1901, August 13th, you would have seen dancers wearing soft, flowing, exquisitely detailed tutus, bringing their artistry to life in beautiful shades of blush pink and pale lilac, all under the golden light of gaslight-lit theatre stages. Oh darling, how captivating that must have been!
1907: The Birth of the ‘Romantic’ Tutu This year was a particularly interesting time, seeing the emergence of the iconic Romantic Tutu, with its ethereal layers of delicate, tulle-like fabric and longer, flowing form. The romantic ballerina was truly a vision in white or blush pink, don’t you think?
1920s: Modernity Steps In The roaring 20s! A new wave of designs started to sweep through, with shorter, tighter-fitting tutus for ballerinas, creating a more streamlined, athletic look - an exciting blend of graceful elegance and energetic modernity.
1940s & 50s: Ballerina Powerhouses During these wartime years, dancers were at their peak of strength and skill, requiring durable and robust costumes that were practical but still beautiful!
1960s: The ‘Explosion of Freedom’ These exciting years saw ballerinas break away from tradition, moving towards experimentation and new design ideas - imagine shimmering fabric, brighter, bolder colours, and more intricate, eye-catching designs!
1970s to 2000s: The World of ‘Classical’ and ‘Contemporary’ The ‘classical’ tutu made its magnificent return - a statement of enduring elegance and refined artistry! It’s still widely worn in major ballets today, showcasing that timeless, beautiful form. However, alongside this, ‘contemporary’ tutu designs evolved too, offering a new approach, playing with more experimental materials, textures and colours!
And darling, that’s a quick whizz through tutu history! How splendid!
*The Magic of ‘Pink’ *
Now, we can't talk about tutus without a little extra discussion about their most enchanting colour! Pink is just the absolute most magical hue for tutus! It exudes femininity and grace - truly the epitome of everything graceful and beautiful, and a true celebration of everything that makes the ballerina so wonderful. Pink simply says ‘tutu’ with just a simple shimmer!
My dear tutu lovers, let's spread the magic of the pink tutu across the globe! Every girl deserves the chance to experience the thrill of twirling in a delightful, pink confection, Wouldn’t you agree? So put on your pink tutus, darling, and dance through life with joy, style, and a dash of pure, pink magic.
I'll leave you with a thought-provoking question - What colour do you see tutus as? Do tell, I’d adore hearing from you all on www.pink-tutu.com!
Till next week, my darlings!
Love always,
Emma xxx
(This post is for entertainment and is fictional. Actual historical events, dates and people will vary).
