Hello, darling readers! Emma here, your ever-so-pink-obsessed time travelling ballerina, back with another Tutu Tuesday! This week, we're twirling back to November the 8th, 1904, a time when the tutu, my absolute favourite fashion staple, was taking its very first pirouettes onto the stage.
Now, picture this: it's the year 1904, the air is crisp, and the scent of autumn leaves mingles with the enchanting aroma of freshly-baked bread. In the elegant ballrooms of Paris, London, and even here in Derbyshire, people are swept up in the dance craze – waltzes, polkas, even some dashing tangos! Imagine it! This is where my heart truly flutters - because in the year 1904, not only are our lovely dancers swirling in gorgeous dresses, they are starting to explore the possibilities of a revolutionary new outfit: The tutu.
The world of ballet in 1904 was in a beautiful, bustling evolution. Ballet was still young – the ballerinas danced mostly in romantic tutus, you know, the ones that flow and whisper secrets to the stage. A bit longer and more billowy than the tutus we adore today, they allowed for a lovely lightness and graceful movement that I absolutely adore! Just think, a whisper of soft pink silk, with delicate ruffles fluttering around a ballerina's delicate ankles - pure magic!
A trip to the theatre!
Imagine the thrill of heading out to the theatre in my most glamorous frock, clutching my feather boa. I always wear pink, you see, to bring a bit of whimsy to any occasion, but you all know that, you darling lot. Seeing the dancers take the stage in their airy tutus, their bodies like swans in flight, well, I am simply spellbound. The tutu in this era is already being woven with such clever techniques. You can't just wear any old tulle, dear readers - the skill involved, the layering of gossamer fabric, oh, it is such an art!
My time machine, however, doesn't let me take the liberty of dancing in the streets. You can imagine, what fun a trip to a Parisian ballet would be! Instead, I must find a delightful train carriage, my hat firmly placed on my head. A well-tailored frock with a delicate dusting of lace (I'm obsessed with lace, if you couldn't tell!) would be simply perfect, don't you think?
On this date in 1904, we have some very interesting events taking place:
In England, the "Grand Operatic Carnival" opened in Manchester, just a little over an hour away from me on a train! How thrilling is that, dear reader? Can you picture the dancers in their tulle creations, and their grand, flowing, elegant attire, gliding on the stage? Such artistry. If only I had my time machine!
In America, there was a real, truly sensational moment in history. On this very day, the iconic "Statue of Liberty" officially changed hands! For the price of a magnificent, and possibly pink, sum of £3,000. I have a rather extravagant flair when it comes to matters like this, and just imagine how much gorgeous tulle I could have purchased with that!
The tutu in its first steps
Now, let’s go back to the story of the tutu. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, ballet was undergoing quite the transformation. The classical tutus we know and love, those fluffy, layered ones that feel like dancing in clouds, hadn’t quite arrived yet. These tutus, called Romantic Tutues, were made for romance! You just needed to look at a dancer in one to understand why! Imagine a flowing, cloud-like tulle, stretching from neck to toe - a symphony of flowing movement. And this is where things get super interesting! A key figure in all of this is Carlotta Grisi. Now, that’s a name that deserves to be remembered! A true diva, Carlotta was a ballet superstar of the time and her exquisite dancing was all the rage! Imagine her gracefully spinning and gliding in a Romantic Tutu, oh my goodness, you'd be mesmerized! These long tutus would become the signature look for a time, the symbol of the romance, of swirling dance, of utter enchantment that only ballet can evoke.
In 1904, we were on the cusp of something magical - the modern ballet was about to blossom. But those long, Romantic Tutues - those remained the darling of the stage. Think, long panels of silk tulle, a touch of colour and lace (that lace always makes it all the more lovely, wouldn’t you agree, darlings?) This style really played up the dreamy romance and beauty of the ballet world.
But I tell you, darling readers, there were other types of tutus floating around too. It was truly a fascinating era for ballet and for fashion! We had tutus made for specific roles, which was simply divine. A "fairy tutu" had tiny bell-shaped petals. You can just picture a ballerina in this one, light and ethereal! The ballet "Giselle," oh how this captivated audiences in those days! Her soft, light skirt – pure loveliness. And those tutus were often accompanied with silk stockings, a detail that truly added a touch of luxurious charm! You can't dance without a little grace, darling readers!
Of course, it wouldn't be Tutu Tuesday without a sprinkle of pink, the colour of my very soul! In 1904, pale pinks and creams were very fashionable and you’ll find them in ballet costumes too.
The fashion evolution
We were truly on the precipice of exciting times, you see! Fashion, dancing, it was all changing, oh so quickly, like a twirling ballerina in a flurry of tulle and silks! This era was about innovation, daring creativity, and oh, what dazzling dresses, what beautiful hats, what fabulous tutus, I tell you. All I want is to turn this time machine to go see all the fashions for myself, imagine how amazing those performances would have been. The women in those days had their own ways of showcasing beauty – their tutus, those romantic flowy things that we are still celebrating now, would be worn by some, while others would opt for longer dresses for their performances. The evolution of dance fashion was truly exhilarating in 1904 - imagine the beautiful gowns, the ornate costumes, and the first stages of those sensational tutus that we still adorate today.
Pink Tutues and My Dream of a Tutu for Everyone!
And now, you'll be thrilled to know I'm working on a project that’s close to my heart – a movement for a pink tutu revolution! It’s time to celebrate this dance wear that embodies freedom and beauty.
So what will you do to bring your own splash of pink into the world? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below, darling readers! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find some pink tulle and put together a brand new pink tutu.
Until next Tuesday, remember to twirl your worries away!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
* #TutuTuesday #PinkTutusForAll*
