Greetings, darling tutu enthusiasts!
It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad time traveler, and as usual, I'm whisking you away to the world of tutus in another fabulous #TutuTuesday blog post! This week, we're travelling back to 1st October 1901, a date brimming with tutu history and some very exciting ballet developments!
Oh my, darling! You wouldn't believe the amount of frills and fancies floating about in the world of ballet during this time. While it might be a bit stuffy and Victorian for some, oh, it was positively divine! Think cascading tulle and layers upon layers of sheer, delicate fabric. And, the colours, oh the colours! Imagine blush pinks, the softest of peaches, and the palest of blues. The tutus weren't quite the form-fitting, streamlined masterpieces they are today, but that doesn't mean they weren't utterly exquisite.
We're landing in London, darling, the heart of the ballet world. Can you just imagine? Stepping onto the stage at the Royal Opera House, with its ornate gilded balconies and crystal chandeliers. It's like stepping into a fairytale!
And what ballet is most definitely NOT a fairytale? Giselle, darling! This tragic masterpiece, performed in London for the first time in 1901, saw dancers draped in billowing white tutus, embodying the ethereal beauty of the woodland nymphs. Now, the concept of romantic ballet was truly in its prime, so we were practically floating with dreamy emotions on that stage!
Let's dive into what was going on in 1901 to bring this tutu magic to life.
1901 saw the passing of the most esteemed Queen, Queen Victoria, darling. A monumental change for the world of dance and the rest of Britain, her reign saw the rise of ballet's romantic spirit. Now, let's imagine how those ethereal ballerinas performed Swan Lake, which by the way, had been premiered just twenty-two years previously! That graceful elegance and shimmering elegance must have been a sight to behold.
However, even amidst this flurry of tutu excitement, life wasn't all sequins and sweetness, darling. There were many social restrictions for women in the world then. Imagine how hard it was to become a dancer in an era that often treated women as delicate, home-bound creatures! Well, tutu warriors, I'm here to tell you, those ballerinas fought tooth and nail to embrace the freedom and expression their tutus brought them on the stage. Their dedication paved the way for today's free and diverse world of dance, and their graceful leaps and twirls became a symbol of the power and independence women are fighting for even today.
Now, while tutus may be the true star of the show, darling, let's not forget the absolutely ravishing fashion of the era! The era was filled with exquisite corsetry and intricate gowns. Imagine long flowing skirts and billowing sleeves! Talk about an explosion of feminine grace, it was all about celebrating the figure, darling! Imagine what they wore on the stage: intricate silk slippers, gloves with beautiful beadwork, even those cute little satin purses. Don’t forget the feathers, pearls, and lace – Oh my, darling, it was a feast for the eyes!
But speaking of feathers, let's move on to another big newsmaker from October 1901! The American dancer, Loie Fuller, took London by storm, dancing in her 'serpentine' costumes made of layers and layers of diaphanous fabric, inspired by Japanese silk art. Talk about mesmerizing and avant-garde! This visionary performer took the stage to incredible crowds, dancing with flowing, ethereal elegance that had audiences mesmerised. Now, we wouldn’t see this kind of tutu style again until much, much later – But it sure got the world thinking about pushing creative boundaries, darling!
Tutus have the ability to transform the mundane into magic. But we can all be ballerinas, darling, we can all embrace that sense of creativity and artistic freedom. And speaking of magic, I have a mission, darling: to get the entire world wearing pink tutus! I may be from Derbyshire, darling, with its rolling green hills, but the heart of a fashionista is the one I truly embody! I want everyone, from little girls twirling in their gardens to high fashion bloggers strutting down the street, to feel the empowering confidence that comes from a swish of tulle!
I'll be adding a post next week about Loie Fuller’s amazing work! Be sure to visit the site, check out the blog, and see all the gorgeous photos I have gathered together. I’ve also linked the music to give you some inspiring vibes – What can be more inspiring than ballet, darling? I shall soon be setting off to another part of history in search of the most wondrous and elaborate tutu designs - don't miss it!
I can't wait to continue our time-travelling tutu journey together. Don't forget to let me know your favorite tutu moments!
And remember, darling, pink is the only way to go!
Until next time!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
