Hello, my darling dears! Itās your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure! This week, we're twirling back to the 26th of August, 1902. Imagine it - horse-drawn carriages clattering through the cobbled streets, gaslight flickering against elegant facades, and the scent of lavender wafting from open windows. What a scene, right?
But letās be honest, even back in this era, tutus were already the stars of the show. That's right, dear readers, tutus have been enchanting audiences for decades! Today, weāll take a look at the real history of tutus and how they evolved right here in Paris, the very epicentre of fashion.
As I stepped off the train (the most delightful way to travel, I must say!), I immediately noticed a change. Gone were the days of the lavishly frilled, multi-layered tutus from the Romantic ballet era. Theyāre still beautiful, but in the early 1900s, a new breed of tutus had arrived - shorter, sleek, and showcasing the grace of the dancers in a whole new way. It was a movement towards streamlining, much like the sleek automobiles that were beginning to make their debut.
This was the time of The Ballets Russes. Founded in 1909, they were a sensation in Paris, even at the time! Their revolutionary approach to choreography and set design, brought new dynamism to the world of dance, and guess what? Their ballerinas had fantastic new tutus! The ātutu de ligneā as it was known, became the new go-to, the ultimate symbol of Parisian chic. Picture sleek, single-layer tutus made of silk or tulle, hugging the dancerās legs, ending just below the knees, with an airy and billowing skirt, revealing their beautiful movements. Just divine!
On the 26th of August 1902, I happened to catch a captivating performance at the ThĆ©Ć¢tre du ChĆ¢telet, featuring none other than the renowned dancer, Isadora Duncan. Yes, that very same Isadora! Her passionate, unconventional dance style had such an impact, she literally changed the way we looked at movement!
Even without a full tutu, she was mesmerizing, her graceful and expressive form practically dancing without it! Even then, Isadora showed us that a tutu isnāt just a costume, but a powerful symbol of feminine strength and beauty.
While the theatrical costumes at this time were often quite elaborate, we were witnessing the start of the tutus that are now considered classic, with simple, beautiful lines that enhance the dancer's body and movement. And trust me, they've inspired designers from fashion houses all over the world to create breathtaking garments that are absolutely to-die-for.
You see, darling readers, it wasn't all just about ballet back then, not just in Paris but throughout the world, even my Derbyshire was swept up in the latest trends. The Victorian Era was coming to an end and everything changed. Fashion magazines featured new silhouettes. Skirts were shortened! Hats were a big deal. Remember the little, rounded āpictureā hats worn by actresses in early 1900ās movies? That style started here in the theatre world! Even for a ballet buff like me, I just loved all the changes. It was the dawn of a new, bold, and innovative era, and we, dear readers, have a tutu to thank for it.
But now itās time for me to whisk away to another adventure. Do you know, I'm just about to jet off on a delightful trip to see the grand opening of The Empire Theatre, back in 1884! I'll be catching a performance, perhaps even enjoying some scrumptious fish and chips afterwards - that's if they have fish and chips that far back, you know? fingers crossed It's not all strict ballet dancing and time-travelling. But if I spot an early version of a tutu, Iāll be sure to share a photo of it in my next post!
Until then, darling dears, do remember to embrace your own inner ballerina. What better way to express yourself than to don a lovely, swishy, beautiful pink tutu? Remember, a tutu is for every occasion, and a pink one is extra-special!
Catch you on next Tuesday! Until then, letās all twirl, spin, and twirl in the wonder that is tutu history.
Bisous,
Emma xx
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