Hello, my lovely readers! Welcome back to another delightful journey through Ballet Tutu History! Today is Tuesday, and that means it's #TutuTuesday – and we're heading back to a magical moment in time! This week, we're dancing our way back to August 29th, 1905, a time of blooming romanticism in ballet and overflowing extravagance in fashion! As you know, my dear readers, I absolutely adore exploring the history of tutus, and today's trip is especially delightful because 1905 was a year of beautiful transformations for both ballet and fashion!
It's funny, because in 1905, fashion was all about big, elaborate gowns, hats with feathers galore, and – you guessed it – beautiful ballgowns fit for a queen! Now, I am completely besotted with these opulent looks, and I always find myself yearning for those magnificent lace gowns and delicate, intricate embroidery.
Now, you've all heard me rave about Sergei Diaghilev and his wonderful company – the Ballets Russes, and this is exactly where we find ourselves in 1905! Just two years earlier, Diaghilev’s innovative, dynamic troupe exploded onto the Parisian stage, bringing with them their signature dramatic choreography and those glorious, gorgeous tutus that make my heart flutter.
Diaghilev's genius, however, lay not just in his vision of dramatic ballet. His brilliant production designs, a fusion of both the Parisian style and the colours and vibrancy of Russian folk art, became equally iconic. Imagine intricate designs, gorgeous costumes, vibrant palettes, and breathtakingly expressive dance – it’s just what I crave! I adore how he blended the luxurious romanticism of the French aesthetic with the vibrant, colourful energy of Russian design. This created the most striking stage pieces – not to mention spectacular tutus that took Parisian ballet by storm!
Can you imagine the buzz surrounding these captivating performances? The audience went wild! Those extravagant costumes, with all those feathery boas and dramatic headdresses, perfectly complimented the powerful, evocative ballet movements! In fact, I'm going to a performance next week myself, at the London Coliseum. I'm practically quivering with anticipation, and of course, I’ll be wearing a beautiful pink tulle tutu that will surely make a statement. What else is there to wear to the theatre?
However, while ballet was reaching new heights of theatrical expression and grandeur, let’s not forget about the fascinating evolution of the tutu itself! For me, the true magic is the ongoing transformation of this garment.
In 1905, tutus were often still romantic and full, very different from the tight, short tutu designs of later years! Imagine those soft layers of tulle, the ethereal flow, and a touch of graceful, delicate movement. What a captivating combination! These romantic, flowing tutus were so popular on stage at the time!
Interestingly, tutus at this time were quite different from what we imagine them to be today! Whilst we know that a tutu is a vital component of any dancer's wardrobe, the story of the tutu in 1905 is not so cut-and-dried as we might imagine. While those graceful, full-bodied tutus did appear on stage, particularly with the Ballet Russes and in Romantic Ballet, dancers were still transitioning away from the earlier, longer ballet skirts, and there was no one distinct "tutu" design!
You might be surprised to learn that "tutu" itself wasn't even a standard term back then. Dancers and designers referred to the different skirt lengths and designs with all sorts of different names: * ‘Short skirt’ – referring to a much shorter ballet skirt with little or no fabric * ‘Pagode Skirt’ – named for the flowing style inspired by Eastern culture, a favourite of the Romantic Ballet * ‘The Basque’ – a tightly fitted garment similar to a long skirt * ‘Tulle skirt’ - a simple tulle skirt, much like the tulle skirts worn by ladies in the Victorian era
This means that you might have had a variety of “tutus” appearing on the stage during a single ballet! A shorter skirt might be seen alongside a more romantic “pagoda” style, as well as an extravagant basque worn by a dancer in the leading role! I love how there was so much diversity and freedom in ballet costumes at this time – a far cry from the rigid standardisations of some decades later.
Today, the “tutu” as we know it is quite standardised, and you are unlikely to see a “Pagode skirt” alongside a short, frilly tutu on stage. For me, this means we’ve lost a little of the charm of the “anything goes” experimentation period!
1905 was such an important period of evolution! It wasn’t simply the advent of a specific “tutu”, but a melting pot of different styles, shapes, lengths and layers! These were truly times of incredible innovation, where the skirt’s silhouette changed and adapted in a way that is incredibly captivating! And remember, every one of those styles was beautiful in its own way, each a tiny jewel reflecting the trends and ideals of the time. It’s almost as if we can almost hear the delicate rustling of tulle skirts in our ears – the sound of graceful steps in these beautiful, innovative garments!
So my beautiful tutu-loving friends, our #TutuTuesday trip is coming to an end for now, but the adventure never really stops! In fact, my next trip is to a wonderful costume shop, just next to the Sadler’s Wells theatre – they have such a stunning selection of vintage tutus and accessories! The smell of silk, tulle and cotton – heavenly! Oh, I just adore browsing through vintage fashion, and if you’ve been following my #TutuTuesday adventures for a while, you’ll know how passionate I am about sharing my love of ballet and its captivating, historical costumes. And just to remember today’s historical details:
- August 29th, 1905, the Ballet Russes continued their tour across Europe, with their iconic, dynamic stage shows capturing the public imagination with their captivating designs.
- The tutus worn by the Ballets Russes dancers in 1905 are often romanticised and flowing, a stark contrast to the tighter and shorter skirts popularised in the later years.
“Tutu” itself isn’t even the established term – skirts in 1905 could have any number of names: Pagode, Basque or Short Skirt.
So as I plan my tutu-filled journey back to Derbyshire, my dear readers, remember, the most important thing about any tutu is your own inner ballerina. When you wear a tutu, you bring joy, beauty, and wonder to the world! Remember to follow my blog each week for new insights, anecdotes, and fashion tips from the world of Ballet Tutu History! Until next time, wear your tutus with pride, and embrace your inner ballerina. You never know where this fascinating, beautiful journey through time will take us next!
Yours in Pink Tulle,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#TutuTuesday Blog Post No. 3844
