#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1903-09-29

Hello darling dancers! It's me, Emma, back again with another blast from the past on our weekly journey through Ballet Tutu History. This is post number 3744 on www.pink-tutu.com!

It's been another hectic week of flitting through the ages! I just love a bit of travel, but travelling by train never fails to remind me that tutus always make life more exciting. Especially when wearing a shocking pink number (all the rage in my time, of course)!

It's been another amazing time hopping around the globe. This time, we are going all the way back to 1903 and stopping by for a little peek into the world of ballet, fashion, and the early history of tutus in the heart of Paris. Fancy a little peek at a world of swirling skirts, daring styles, and groundbreaking performances? Well then, grab a cup of tea and join me as we go on this delightful adventure!

Oh darling, the early 1900s were simply breathtaking. A world of sophistication, and let me tell you, tutus took center stage (no pun intended, darlings!). Picture this: Grand opera houses with shimmering chandeliers casting an enchanting glow, audiences dressed in their finest gowns and suits, and ballerinas swirling on stage in layers of exquisite tulle. There was an absolute whirlwind of change happening with a dramatic and elaborate style dominating both on and off the stage.

It's hard to believe now, but tutus as we know them - all flowing and frilly - hadn't even come to be. In 1903, the tutus, or "tulle skirts" as they were then called, were shorter and much more "grounded," closer to the body than the flamboyant ones we're used to today. It was a bit of a revolution in ballet back then, but it was all about emphasising graceful, feminine movements, something that still resonates with me. They were made of the finest tulle imaginable. Those early tutus were so elegant and ethereal, showcasing the dancer's every move, but with less focus on elevating the dancer to a magical and lofty heights.

Imagine if you had to choose between wearing a cumbersome long skirt while dancing or something lightweight and whimsical, all made from beautiful materials! You can see why this style became a favourite! In the world of dance, the changing trends were always connected to what was most comfortable to dance in! It’s all about moving effortlessly with a perfect balance of comfort and elegance – a good tip for our time too, I might add! It's not about fashion dictating the performance, it's about dancing captivatingly in your finest form.

Let's be honest, who doesn't want to be whisked away by the dreamy colours, intricate detailing and flowing lines of tulle? This was also the time when ballet began moving away from being strictly a form of entertainment for the elite and reaching out to a much wider audience! Now that was truly exciting. This led to some rather incredible trends, both on stage and off.

Speaking of trends, on the 29th September 1903, the world was watching Paris' fashion icon, Coco Chanel, start out her fashion journey. There were all sorts of lovely designs around! It was a thrilling moment to watch someone so confident and talented start out on a journey that would redefine fashion - with elegant, practical and more casual, everyday outfits! Now that's how to start the journey to getting everyone wearing a tutu, eh! I bet she would be all about colour, texture and *bold designs. A perfect fit for any ballerina.

Back then, it wasn’t just about ballet being about fashion - it was a whole way of life. Just as we have our Ballet Tutu History, we also have Theatre History, and 1903 was an incredible time for the theatre, particularly in Paris.

It was all about captivating stories that took audiences to another place with extravagant costumes and even more impressive sets! These were such an essential part of the theatrical experience – as exciting, even magical as watching ballet performances today! The performances made everything so dramatic - almost life-sized films before they even existed!

And it all added to that wonderful aura around ballet, of glamour and high society. It’s no wonder everyone wanted to dance – even though they didn't all wear tutus outside the theatre - those elegant dance steps, movements, and postures were simply intoxicating. Just picture your dream tutu, ladies! A swirling mass of colourful tulle, flowing across a stage in all its glory – just stunning.

I adore this period of history because it was about so much more than just tutus - it was a time when dreams were starting to blossom, both on stage and off, when boundaries were pushed, and stories captivated the world! If I were alive in this period, you can be sure I'd be wearing all my pink tulle – a true champion for pink and a fervent believer in the power of tutus!

So darling, thank you for joining me on our #TutuTuesday travels today! Tune in next week for more incredible discoveries and to join me on another time-travel ballet escapade. As ever, until next Tuesday, remember, every single day is a chance to celebrate our love of dancing and twirling in something sensational and stylish! You could try a little pink!

Emma