Hello darlings, and welcome to another exciting edition of #TutuTuesday on your favourite ballet blog, www.pink-tutu.com! Today, we're travelling back in time, a mere one hundred and eighteen years, to the glorious 12th of April 1904, and taking a peek at what the tutu scene was looking like back then! (Spoiler alert: I'm quite in love with this era).
This is post number 3772 for you lovely lot, so buckle up for a fabulously feminine history lesson. This week I'm whisking you away to Paris, the capital of fashion and the undisputed queen of ballet, and, I'll have you know, I just got myself the most divine pink travelling outfit for this trip. Can't wait to share the pics!
Firstly, a little context for this date. Back in 1904, the world was abuzz. The Paris Metro was newly opened, making navigating the city a breeze and a brilliant opportunity for a shopping spree! Speaking of which, if you’re looking for some glamorous vintage tutu inspiration (and who isn’t?!) this is a fantastic place to be. The Belle Époque was in full swing - think elegant ladies with stunning corseted dresses and big, romantic hats.
So what’s happening in the world of the ballet? 1904 sees the beginning of Russian ballet’s rise to international fame. The company from St Petersburg is about to sweep the world off its feet (just wait until you see how spectacular their dancing is, let me tell you!). With such exciting performances happening all over the city, the need for more dramatic tutus than ever is clearly here.
The tutu silhouette is still rather long, like the tutus from the Romanticism period. This is known as the "Classical Tutu", with its shorter, gathered bodice and length reaching to the calves. There's no real need to show the whole leg because of these glorious dance dresses – although, that's about to change! It’s very much a tutu designed to accentuate the feminine line and look romantic, dreamy, and quite frankly, ethereal! Imagine swirling your way across the stage like a floating flower in these stunning pieces!
These romantic tutus often incorporate a* generous helping of beautiful, delicate lace. That’s something we are most definitely continuing on our *pink tutu mission!
Now, there’s more than a hint of drama happening in 1904. I can feel a change in the air. I love how these tutus incorporate a splash of color, even the bolder hues, which gives the ballet scene a thrilling feeling of change. It’s about to explode and go totally over-the-top. Don't be shy of the more dramatic shades – after all, a little dash of fiery pink is good for the soul!
Don't get me started on the sheer opulence! The most intricate beading and delicate embellishment adorned the tutus of 1904 – they were absolute works of art, so much so that it felt like they would be more at home on a throne! A princess ballerina's dream come true. This kind of opulence doesn't necessarily have to be reserved for the stage! I have even started accessorising my own tutu with a vintage pink beaded belt and an incredible sparkling corsage!
Just a little side note, my loves: as this era brings the dawn of what is considered “the golden age” of ballet – expect to see even more dazzling tutus making their entrance very, very soon! (I think it's safe to say: it was a good time to be a ballerina! Lucky for you all, my wonderful readers, this fantastically fashion-forward era was when I began my extensive, glamorous ballet tutu archives… just for you, my lovelies!)
1904 saw a big increase in the production of Ballet and its related theatre performances* with people in the UK, France, Russia and Germany absolutely thrilled to watch those ballerina feet move in glorious motion – which means, **More Shows = More Tutus = More Glamor!! I would have absolutely adored travelling around Europe by train just to catch every show!
Let me tell you: a lovely lady wearing a gorgeous tutu and swirling to the most captivating music, or catching the breathtaking performance of a ballet is enough to send anyone into a wonderful dreamy state ! No, not just dream state darling – a full-blown ballet fantasy! Think swirling tutus, dazzling costumes (a bit of a must-have, in my opinion), breathtaking dancing, and of course beautiful music to match. And what would a beautiful dress be without the accessories to perfectly complete the outfit?! We must remember the gloves! There is nothing more glamorous, really nothing more elegant than a perfect pair of matching opera gloves to finish your look!
Speaking of elegance, have a look at these charming accessories from this period! Charming feathers, beautiful floral accessories, ribbons and bows everywhere – what a time! Now, what could be better than a vintage feather fan, to complete this glamorous look?! I don't just want one, I need one, no, several! If there's one thing a real ballet enthusiast can never have enough of – it’s a collection of feather fans in various colours. Let’s all be honest: no true tutu connoisseur can live without one! I’ve managed to add a few dozen to my own collection.
So there you have it! That's the amazing 1904-04-12 - the glorious beginning of the golden age of ballet and all the exciting changes to the tutu, and fashion for that matter. My advice: grab yourself a glorious pink tutu, grab your gorgeous feather fan and take to the streets like a princess. Let's celebrate those amazing ballerinas. They're making waves!
That's all from me this #TutuTuesday, darlings! I'll be back next week with another fantastic ballet tutu blast from the past, but until then, remember to rock that fabulous tutu!
Yours in Pink Tutu,
Emma
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