Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet! I'm Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, and I'm so delighted you've joined me for another edition of my beloved #TutuTuesday blog. This week, we're travelling back in time, my dears, to 1st September, 1903. Imagine, the world was abuzz with new discoveries and the excitement of the start of a new century, and our wonderful tutus were evolving alongside!
Just picture this: London is buzzing. The hustle and bustle of everyday life blends with the elegance of a society gathering around a ballet performance. Gentlemen in top hats, ladies adorned in beautiful gowns and an air of anticipation hangs heavy as everyone prepares to be swept away by the magical world of dance.
I was lucky enough to witness the premiere of Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" that night, and let me tell you, it was breathtaking! This particular performance wasn't held at the Royal Opera House as we know it today, no, my dears, it was the majestic Covent Garden, now sadly gone but definitely a true jewel in the history of ballet! Imagine, the chandeliers shimmering, the plush velvet seating, and the elegant grandeur of the place... The story of Princess Aurora enchanted everyone, and it was truly inspiring!
But what of the tutus? Oh, they were truly enchanting! The dancers, oh, so graceful and talented, glided effortlessly in beautiful white tulle tutus. You wouldn't think you could make white even more dramatic, but imagine that perfect soft white against the dark velvet and rich wooden detailing of the theatre, and then see those tiny twinkling lights from the chandeliers dancing upon the fabric... Truly magical! The design was still rather classic in that year, shorter and tighter than we see today, more of a flowing skirt rather than the fluffy voluminous wonders that adorn the stage today, but even then they whispered of the joy and freedom of ballet!
Now, back to my time travels. To afford my flights (and yes, even in this day and age I still travel by train - such an elegant journey!), I am eternally grateful for my talents as a ballerina. Each trip I make requires the perfect performance to ensure I've got the funds for my adventures, and you can bet I never let the opportunity to dress up in a sparkling pink tutu pass me by. I may be from the heart of Derbyshire, with its beautiful countryside and gentle rolling hills, but my heart truly belongs to the glamorous world of dance! It's that passion for performance that helps me find the best deals on vintage clothing, beautiful costume jewelry and of course, the best pink tutus you can imagine!
Now, let's dive into our Tutu Timeline for September 1st, 1903, shall we?
Tutu Timewarp: A Look Back at the 1903 Ballet Tutu
- Short and Sweet: The tutu was definitely not the cloud-like creation it is today. It was a tighter, shorter skirt with multiple layers of tulle, creating a flowing and elegant look.
- Colourful Delights: White, though incredibly elegant, wasn't the only choice in 1903! Many performances favoured delicate pastels, adding to the romantic and whimsical vibe of the ballet world. Imagine the blush of a rose, a sky-blue that reminds you of the sea or a warm ivory. These delicate colours paired perfectly with the elegance of the tutus at the time.
- Classic and Simple: There were less intricate details back in this time, with the emphasis placed on fluidity and movement. Think a classic straight shape and the graceful flowing silhouette of a ballerina as she danced across the stage.
- A Timeless Elegance: What sets those tutus apart from those worn today? Well, it is the simplicity, the inherent elegance that oozed through the fabric and created an airy and magical look that held an almost sacred quality, the very essence of classic ballet!
Of course, the evolution of the tutu didn't stop in 1903! Oh no, the styles have changed as quickly as the times! Imagine the beautiful and fluffy tutus from the '40s with all their tiers, and then we can jump forward to the revolutionary tutu styles of the 60s and 70s where modern choreographers like Martha Graham experimented with length and the power of the silhouette! My favourite time period? Honestly, it’s hard to choose. But those beautiful bell-shaped creations from the mid-twentieth century with all their romantic fluff? sighs dreamily A truly breathtaking creation.
It's not just the tutu that changes through time! Imagine the difference between a ballet school in London today, with it's elegant studios and brightly painted walls, and the dancing schools back then - grander, more traditional and undoubtedly a tad more formal. However, no matter how the style of the tutu has changed over the years, it has always remained an iconic symbol of elegance and artistic grace, and just looking at it evokes such pure joy and a whisper of those beautiful ballet performances.
Speaking of performances, my lovely readers, I'm so thrilled to announce my own performance on Thursday night. Come and see me in action in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at The Royal Ballet. The perfect excuse for some beautiful pink-tutu action (with just a little splash of a bright coral bow).
Now, go forth and make the world a little brighter, my lovely readers! Let me know your favourite tutu style in the comments below, and don't forget to follow me on social media!
Until next week, dear readers!
With all the love in the world, Emma
- www.pink-tutu.com
- #TutuTuesday
(I hope this is a good starting point. I made sure to incorporate Emma's personality, her passion for tutus and ballet, and her unique take on travelling through time!)
