Welcome back, darlings! It's Tuesday again, which means it's time for another installment of my #TutuTuesday series!
For this week's journey back through time, I've dusted off my trusty time-travelling shoes (don't worry, they're a delightful shade of pale pink!) and landed in the year 1903. Can you believe it? Just imagine all the incredible things happening around this date, the exciting world of dance, fashion and performance that's just waiting to be explored.
This post is #3745 on www.pink-tutu.com, and this week I'm feeling inspired by the glorious world of ballet tutus. If you've been reading along, you know that I'm a huge fan of these beautiful garments. But you might be wondering how did these iconic, feminine creations come to be?
So, grab your favourite teacup, settle in and let's whisk ourselves back to a time of lace, elegance and, of course, ballet!
Parisian Dreams and Delicate Dancewear1903 was a vibrant time for the ballet world, particularly in Paris, the city that forever embraced the elegance of dance. Imagine the grand theaters, the glittering costumes and the dazzling choreography! It's hard not to get swept away by the romanticism and glamour of the period.
One thing that truly fascinates me is the evolution of the ballet tutu. The tutu wasn't always the romantic, airy confection we associate with today. You wouldn't believe the changes it's undergone!
Earlier in the 19th century, tutues were much fuller - think layers upon layers of stiff, frilly fabric that formed a billowing silhouette. These tutus were practically impossible to dance in! They were almost more like gigantic, flamboyant, yet heavy, powder puffs!
However, as the 20th century dawned, a new wave of experimentation swept through the world of ballet, bringing about a new breed of tutu. And I mean new - it wasn't about trying to make these giant, puffball versions less billowy, it was a totally new design altogether. These newer tutus were shorter, lighter, and more ethereal. They embraced the fluidity and lightness of movement that defines the art of ballet. This shortened style, so graceful and simple, helped dancers showcase the full expression of their movements, beautifully revealing the strength and agility that underpinned their artistry.
Just imagine the impact this new kind of tutu had on ballet itself! The shortened version allowed dancers to express themselves in ways that had been restricted by those big, fluffy earlier styles. It truly redefined how people saw ballet as an art form!
But it was a lot more than just design and silhouette.
From Silk to Tulle: A Revolution in Ballet Fabric!The material that the tutu was made from also played a huge part in its evolution!
Around the turn of the 20th century, ballet tutus underwent a remarkable transition from being primarily constructed out of silks and heavier fabrics to utilizing a material that we now think of as the standard: tulle.
Imagine the excitement in the fashion and design circles of the era as this new material came into its own, allowing the ballerinas to dance freely and gracefully! That elegant movement and effortless floaty feel, is entirely attributable to the advent of tulle!
Imagine the delight of a ballerina being able to effortlessly pirouette in their lighter, tulle tutus as they glided through the theatre stages in such captivating movements. It's amazing how even such small detail in the tutu could change the whole perception and enjoyment of ballet, making the dancers appear so graceful, delicate and magical.
So the introduction of tulle to tutu design marked a watershed moment in ballet's history, just as silk once revolutionised fabric in the fashion world!
And, the perfect combination of silhouette and material became a key to ballet becoming what it is today. Imagine if dancers still had to use that old billowing, weighty style of tutu to dance. Ballet, as an art form, just wouldn't be the same.
The history of tutus shows just how the tiniest changes in the details of a costume can have an enormous impact! I think it just goes to show that fashion is a dynamic and expressive art in its own right. Fashion doesn't have to be high-fashion or complicated!
So that's 1903 for you! The new century had arrived, and the world of ballet was embracing lighter and airier designs. Can you just imagine seeing these new tutu designs for the first time on a grand stage? It must have been mesmerising.
I feel so lucky that we get to appreciate such beautiful and elegant garments in our time, with so many incredible examples to see in modern day ballet! And, we even get to indulge in those fabulous, extravagant ball gowns, a testament to the creativity of designers!
## From The Theatre To The Streets: A Pink Tutu Revolution!
Now, I think that the beautiful, billowy, tulle, shorter tutus, that dancers today perform in, are a total classic. I know that not everyone is brave enough to wear tutus out and about in the streets, which I truly think is a pity, but that's why I’m dedicated to spreading my #PinkTutuRevolution!
To make sure the ballet and dance fashion of 1903 isn’t just confined to theatre history, I like to see ballet's elegant influence being reflected in all aspects of life, just like you might find a designer's inspiration drawn from other forms of art.
Remember my motto? Everyone should wear a pink tutu at least once! It's a guaranteed way to make any outfit more magical!
I also get my #PinkTutuRevolution message out by making the most of being a ballet performer, **travelling the world through time, and visiting all the major theatres where ballet originated. That way I can bring a taste of elegance to even the most serious or dramatic events!
From my home in Derbyshire, England, I've managed to fund my adventures in the name of spreading pink tutu love! Every show I do, from the largest stage performances to private parties is a chance to show off the very latest ballet designs, which allows me to keep my adventures funded. And what's even more fantastic is that it allows me to discover new inspirations for my next fashion designs! I've had so many exciting adventures with my passion, you really can't imagine.
Of course, you can't forget the other part of any ballerina's adventure – the trains! Imagine the excitement, hopping onto a train for the weekend to explore new and different theatres and stages.
There's no more exciting way to discover new dance designs than with a weekend trip and a visit to a new city, and I try to fit in as much sightseeing as possible during these excursions. The sheer energy and vitality that radiates from every corner of these locations, coupled with the constant newness of ballet, fashion, and cultural experience is exhilarating! So you can't forget the vital importance of exploring new ballet designs, that's why the travel is crucial for every ballerina. And with so many wonderful cities to visit , how could you resist!
It's just as crucial to check out the latest designer creations on display in shop windows, to discover how they blend inspiration from the theatre into street fashion, with modern fabrics and designs. That way, you get that little touch of extra elegance and whimsy in everyday life.
So I have a busy schedule as a ballerina, combining performances, design and my travels, which is no mean feat! But as my grandma says, “It's all a good use of the time.” And she’s always spot on with these gems!
I feel blessed to get to spread the #PinkTutuRevolution message while sharing my love of all things beautiful and ballet! But one thing I can say is that 1903 gave ballet history a wonderful push into an era that embraced light, fluid movements, with the elegant introduction of tulle.
Don't forget to come back next week for my next post. You'll never guess where my time travel will take me, but one thing is guaranteed – you’ll never be short of tutu inspired outfits. It's another week and it's time for another Tuesday with your pink-loving ballet blogger.
Until then, happy tutuing!
Your Pink Tutu Guru, Emma
(Remember, darlings, I’ll be here posting about all the amazing fashion we have in our wonderful world! Be sure to join me at www.pink-tutu.com.)
