Greetings, my darling tutu-loving lovelies!
It's Emma here, back from another delightful adventure through time, and as always, I'm brimming with excitement to share the latest from my #TutuTuesday journey. This week, I've zipped my way to the enchanting era of 1902! Oh, the exquisite grandeur, the swirling silhouettes, the sheer elegance – a true feast for the senses.
But enough about my personal musings. You know I'm all about tutus, so let's delve into the story of these iconic garments, right? Today, we're going back in time to 1902, the year where the "tutu" as we know it really started to take centre stage, so buckle up, darlings, because we're going on a historical fashion trip.
Now, picture it: London. 1902. It's the year Queen Victoria has just passed away, leaving behind a legacy of corseted gowns and frilly parasols. While the new era under King Edward VII was about to see a new burst of artistic creativity and a bolder take on fashion, the foundations of ballet, and therefore the tutus, remained deeply ingrained in the graceful elegance of the Victorian age.
From Corset to Cotton
As a true aficionado of dance and fashion history, let's paint a picture, shall we? You’re at the Royal Opera House, London, the heart of the dance world, just after the turn of the 20th century. There's a certain air of anticipation in the auditorium. The curtain is about to rise, revealing not only the majestic grandeur of the stage, but also the exquisite garments worn by the dancers. The étoile or the lead dancer is taking a final bow in the exquisite and voluminous white skirt, its soft tulle cascading down her lithe legs. It’s almost impossibly long and billowing - truly the height of elegance for the era.
And here lies the key! Before the late 1800s, the dancer’s clothing was, shockingly, practical but rather boring - think tightly corseted dresses for women and trousers and leggings for the male dancers, all meant to allow for movement, but hardly eye-catching, especially for such artistic and beautiful dances.
But thank goodness for our dance trailblazers, because as ballet evolved into the expressive art form we adore today, a demand arose for garments that wouldn't hinder the dancers' grace but would complement and highlight the story they told with every flick of their legs, a delicate leap or a whispered turn. This is where our story really starts.
The Birth of a Style Icon
While tutus have always been around in some form, the 19th century saw them evolving from practical attire into an essential part of the ballet aesthetic. As ballet itself evolved from a courtly dance to something that captivated the entire world, so the tutus transformed into a key feature, not only to showcase a dancer’s skill and elegance but to accentuate the choreography itself, helping to elevate the emotional power of a performance.
So, who do we have to thank for this transformation? Well, that honour goes to a number of brilliant, groundbreaking designers, like Marius Petipa, the father of the Grands Ballets Russes with a series of influential ballets - The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, that set the standard for dancers and audiences alike, leading the charge to move from a romantic ballet style to a much grander spectacle and making the tutu an integral part of each dance. Imagine dancers in simple garments in these performances and I dare you not to be disappointed!
Also, one name in particular must be mentioned, and that's Marie Taglioni, considered the ‘Prima Ballerina Assoluta’ of the Romantic Ballet period. This incredible woman danced in short, frilled dresses made of multiple layers of white tulle, allowing the dancers freedom to leap and move and showcase the grace of their movements with a lightness that was totally captivating. It’s this concept that truly brought the modern tutu to life.
Think about it – without the lightness and flow of a multi-layered, floating tutu, would the artistry of ballets like Swan Lake or La Sylphide have resonated with the same power? Could we even picture them in a different type of attire? It’s this combination of a bold move in fashion and choreography that transformed ballet.
But that’s just the start of our story, as fashion is always evolving and so, too, are the types of tutus used in dance.
Twirling Towards The Modern Age
Now, back to 1902. We’re still very much in a romantic age, but there are some small shifts happening that we can glimpse in fashion and that will also bring changes to our iconic tutu. Think longer lines, flowing gowns, and the use of vibrant colors - much like the era’s artistic scene, the fashion is shifting toward a boldness that reflects the social and political transformations occurring in society. The iconic frilled Victorian dresses were still all the rage - although thankfully not nearly as tightly corseted as in previous eras.
And here’s where the change starts. The tutus were now taking on a bit of a new form - think The Dream* by Marie Taglioni or Giselle, ballets featuring dancers wearing tutus but more tailored around the body with less excessive layers of tulle than seen a few years earlier. And as a side note, the tutu for women dancers was so widely accepted that it soon inspired the creation of tutus for men dancers in the Romantic era, and you’ll see the impact this has on ballet choreography over time!
Of course, every new design inspires creativity and by 1902 the dance world was starting to experiment with styles of tutu. Just think of the gorgeous ballet performances that were just beginning to explode with excitement. Imagine yourself standing in the audience and being swept up in the artistry of a magnificent spectacle. Ballet had become an important form of entertainment in cities all across the globe. So exciting!
A Glimpse Into Tomorrow
So, as I step back onto my time-traveling train, and leave 1902 behind me, my heart’s overflowing with admiration for the elegance, beauty, and artistry that ballet embodies. 1902 was a pivotal year, one where the ballet world saw a shift in fashion with tutus taking a new shape that laid the groundwork for a wave of innovation and brilliance that continued through the 20th century.
Next week, darlings, I’ll be off to explore even further along our #TutuTuesday timeline and reveal how tutus were shaping up as ballet became even more important to fashion, dance, and life for all. But for now, enjoy the joy of spinning with that image of 1902’s gorgeous tutu artistry.
Stay chic,
Emma
*P.S. - If you haven’t tried on a tutu yourself, I highly recommend giving it a go! It's a fun way to add a touch of flair to your life. And remember - no matter what age you are, you're never too old for a bit of twirling! *
