Oh hello lovelies! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! This week we're going back to the glorious year of 1904 - fancy that! Today, we're focusing on how a little tutu like mine came to grace the world of dance, taking a trip to the beautiful and historic Palais Garnier in Paris, a truly spectacular venue where ballet reigns supreme!
You see, you can't imagine just how different the world of dance was back then. Today, a tutu's a staple of ballet, a true fashion icon, but back then, they were still developing! This was the time of the Romantic ballet, and the ballerina's movement was focused on lightness and delicacy.
Now, let's imagine a beautiful scene - the stage at the Palais Garnier ablaze with shimmering light, the audience abuzz with anticipation. As the music begins, a dancer steps into the spotlight - and she's wearing a dress, not a tutu! Yup! They wore flowing gowns back then, think something like a gorgeous wedding dress but even fancier. It’s crazy to imagine a performance without that flutter of a tutu, but back then, that was the standard. Just picture it – so graceful, elegant, and feminine.
But, we're just talking about before our #TutuTuesday time, my dears! I'm always on the lookout for fun fashion details from back in the day, and 1904 had some exciting changes afoot! By this point, they were beginning to explore the freedom of movement that a tutu offered! The gowns were getting shorter, a bit more practical. It's fascinating to see this transition! Think of how they were evolving, just like a ballet company. It’s a constant search for elegance and ease.
One of my absolute favourite pieces of this time is a sketch from 1905 of La Belle Hélène. It features a ballerina, not wearing a full tutu just yet, but she has a shortened version, you know, just the little bit of netting you see on a standard tutu. It’s this shortened skirt that adds a touch of flirtation to the outfit and emphasizes the ballerina's every move, oh how chic! Isn't it exciting to know that the "full tutu" look was on its way, darling?
Of course, 1904 was a busy year in the world of ballet, but you know me, I’m most intrigued by fashion. It’s the 20th century! This year, we were given some major changes to ballet clothing that eventually paved the way for the beloved tutu! The most incredible innovation in this period, however, came from the design of the “ballet skirt." Can you imagine? It's almost hard to picture the world of ballet without them! You see, before this skirt came along, ballerinas would twirl and flutter about in loose and long garments. Now, that would make dancing awfully difficult, don’t you think? Well, the invention of this incredible skirt made life so much easier for ballerinas. Can you imagine twirling all around in long, sweeping garments? I shudder to think!
It's amazing how fashion, like ballet, constantly evolves and evolves. Today, my darling, tutus are as diverse as they are elegant! There are tutus in all sorts of colours, lengths, and styles! They're not just the staple piece of the dance world anymore, but you can find tutus making a grand entrance in all sorts of fashions! Don’t get me started on those glamorous pink ones! Oh, it’s enough to make a girl wish she had been around for the change!
And if that wasn't exciting enough, another bit of history that took place on December 20th 1904 was that the great Pavlova, that extraordinary dancer, wowed audiences all across Europe! I could die just to see one of her performances, you know! I mean, she could take flight, just like a ballerina should. It makes my heart flutter. You know what makes it even more exciting? Her costume, a magnificent outfit that just makes my ballerina heart sing. You’d be shocked, darlings, she was barely wearing a tutu! More of that shortened skirt again. What a stunning combination of the graceful and the naughty, isn't it? You know I'll be looking out for this revolutionary style the next time I’m traveling through the past.
You can find photos and sketches of these costumes online, and I promise, once you do, you’ll see why 1904 was such a groundbreaking year for ballet and for fashion.
That’s all for this week's #TutuTuesday. Don't forget, you can visit the Pink Tutu blog any day of the week! You know I am here to entertain, share insights and provide some serious tutu-fashion inspiration, especially to anyone on the journey to making every day a #TutuTuesday. Till next time, stay fabulous!
xx
Emma, Your Pink Tutu Blogger!
