Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your time-travelling tutu aficionado, back again with another #TutuTuesday post!
This week, we're waltzing back to the Belle Epoque, that gorgeous, glamorous time of fashion, art and... tutus! I'm writing to you from Paris, where the air practically vibrates with the sound of the dance - ballet. Oh, to be swept away in a whirlwind of pointe shoes and perfect pliés! It’s hard not to be in awe of the grace and skill of the dancers here, they just float across the stage!
Speaking of the stage... today, January 5th 1904, marks the opening night of a truly special production. At the Opéra Garnier in Paris - oh, the exquisite interior, stunning chandeliers and plush velvet seats! - the Ballets Russes, founded by Serge Diaghilev, is premiering a revolutionary ballet - The Firebird! Can you imagine? A vibrant, magical tale set to Stravinsky's incredible music? I simply cannot wait to see it! Just think of the costumes... imagine the tutus! It will definitely be a hot topic for all the Parisian fashionistas, that I can guarantee!
Now, let’s delve deeper into the history of the tutu, as we journey back through the shimmering world of dance and design…
The Evolution of The Tutu
You might think the tutu was always this fabulous, romantic garment, but like any fashion icon, it’s evolved quite a bit over the centuries. Let’s step back in time, ladies…
The Romantic Era - The Beginning of a Dance-wear Legend
The first tutus, in the early 1800s, weren’t exactly what we know and love today! Think, for a moment, a loose, ankle-length, tulle skirt - a little more like a ballgown - and imagine these ballerinas moving around the stage in long, flowing tutus… Oh dear, I think my head might spin from just imagining the restricted movements!
Thankfully, we had the likes of the amazing Marie Taglioni, one of the first great ballerinas, to pioneer change. Imagine a woman, in the 1800s, going against tradition - how utterly brave! In the early 1840s, Marie’s legendary dance, ‘La Sylphide’, sparked a tutu revolution! Imagine the thrill of the audience as Marie glided across the stage in her newly designed, shorter tulle skirt! Just imagine the sheer audacity of the skirt's short length and its billowing design… and just look at how fabulous it must have looked to the audience! It really must have taken some guts, as it was so far away from the more traditional ballet looks of the time… But from then, there was no going back! The short tutu was here to stay! It really was the beginning of the beautiful dancewear masterpiece we know and love!
The Real ‘Romantic Era Tutu
The tutu from this time period was called a ‘Romantic’ tutu and looked more like a cone shaped, full, and almost knee length, rather than a short skirt - but oh how elegant! This style retained the long, flowy feel of the first tutus but was definitely more dramatic and stylish ! The ‘Romantic Era’ was the time when ballet truly exploded as a popular and thrilling spectacle - think lavish settings, music filled with emotion and, of course, the most incredible, romantic costumes… with beautiful tutus that were at the forefront. Oh, and how about the makeup and hair styles from that era? Think flowing curls and beautiful rose-cheeked faces - just the most beautiful combination!
1904-The Birth of The ‘Tutu Nouvelle
Now we've stepped into the era when ballet design began to take a modern approach - the ‘Tutu Nouvelle’. Imagine dancing a little lighter with tutus designed in the late nineteenth century - the dancing world went wild for them. Ballet costumes were no longer rigidly controlled and ballerinas could express themselves freely through movement, allowing for greater mobility, elegance, and...dare I say...a little more daring style!
The ‘Tutu Nouvelle' used less layers of fabric - think about the ease and grace of the dancers as they could really move in a much more elegant way. Oh, it must have been simply magnificent! This shift in tutu design, I feel, also represented a shift in society. As more women wanted to be free and equal, the dancers began to embrace the freedom of these lighter, more comfortable tutus! Can you see the correlation? Oh my, I truly feel that the fashion is an accurate reflection of the time!
And, speaking of society….
The Role of Ballet in Society at the Turn of the Century
Just imagine, the year is 1904 and Paris is the city to be. It was the golden era of the Belle Époque, a vibrant time for culture, innovation and … yes, you guessed it … ballet! Ballet was more than just a spectacle back then. It became the height of society - imagine a world where the elite went mad for the art and grace of dancing! And imagine, ladies, what it must have been like to be at a ball, watching these elegant dancers twirling in their tutus - think how *dazzling they must have looked. And the fashion? Think flared gowns, opulent jewels and of course, beautiful tutus! It must have been absolutely divine!
Let’s talk about fashion - the dresses of the Belle Époque - oh, the sheer glamour of the era! It was an absolute treasure trove of fashion inspiration, just imagine the detail! * It truly *does bring a smile to my face. I imagine that Parisian fashion is completely different to that of the rural English area of Derbyshire, my home, in 1904… but I must confess, even in the more conservative, provincial fashion, it still holds its own beauty. Oh, I miss wearing my vintage Derbyshire clothing collection… and the feeling of walking through a Derbyshire park, breathing the fresh air while thinking about the day, the music…
I love, I really do love, time travelling - I simply adore being transported to different periods in time! The fashion, the culture and especially the ballet! Oh, it's the perfect escape from our modern day routines - we could all do with a bit of that , wouldn’t you say? I get so much pleasure in seeing how people danced and what they wore and learning about it and how this beautiful form of art impacted society and culture at that time…
Where To Get Your Tutu Fix!
Let’s face it - in 1904 - and let's be honest - there wasn't a huge range of tutus to choose from - not like we have now… but with the rise of the Tutu Nouvelle, the selection is really starting to increase! If you fancy creating your own, go for it! But be sure to keep a lookout for some of the stunning designs I find in my adventures and share with you! Or, head down to a beautiful local theatre production!
That’s all from me this TutuTuesday! And remember… if you fancy wearing a tutu, go for it! What's more, make it pink, because let’s be honest, pink really does go with everything. Just follow me on my journey at www.pink-tutu.com, and I’ll see you all next Tuesday! Bye for now darlings, and remember to dance your own way, everywhere, *every day! *
Love,
Emma
* The Pink Tutu Ballerina *
