Hello darling dears! It's Emma here, your #PinkTutuGirl, ready to whisk you back in time for another dose of ballet history! Today's date? The 12th September 1905 - an utterly fabulous day for a bit of historical dress exploration, I'd say!
This week, I'm shimmying straight to the heart of Parisian fashion, where the whispers of the latest trends in tutus are already making a big splash! Think exquisitely crafted tulle, softest silk, and the most delicate of ribbons. My love for these heavenly creations is simply endless! Let's step back in time, darling dears, and discover what the world of tutus looked like all those years ago.
Ah, Paris. The city of love, of croissants, of stunning gowns, and of course... the crème de la crème of all ballet - The Opéra de Paris! You see, in the early 1900s, Parisian dance was setting the stage for a whole new era of the tutu. It was a period of such captivating elegance.
It’s all about those graceful, billowing layers. Imagine swirls of shimmering tulle, perfectly cascading from the hips and creating an effect of airy lightness that literally makes you swoon! Imagine the sheer drama of these romantic and elaborate creations. There were absolutely no tight, clinging, short-short tutus back then! The ladies were dancing with panache and that extra oomph in the grand tulle of a beautiful multi-layered tutu, and you simply had to see it to believe it.
On the 12th of September 1905, the Opéra de Paris played host to the utterly mesmerising, 'Le Lac des Cygnes' - 'Swan Lake'. Now this wasn't any old run-of-the-mill performance, mind you. It was a world premiere starring the one and only, Anna Pavlova, the queen of Russian ballet, in her first performance outside of Russia. It is an undisputed fact that Anna Pavlova did help revolutionise the style and elegance of the ballet tutu with her breathtaking interpretations of the ballet roles, including, The Dying Swan - a true testament to the artistic impact a ballerina's talent can have.
Can you just picture it? The enchanting beauty of Anna Pavlova graceing the stage in a swirling white tutu that embodied the majestic yet ethereal beauty of the swan? Goosebumps! I simply can't even begin to imagine the wonder that must have swept through the audience, it is simply electrifying. This was the time when ballerinas and the elegance of the tutus they wore captured the world's hearts, with dancers being adored for their talents.
That graceful, fluid movement made a dramatic impact. These longer tutus became known as the "Romantic Tutu" because of their airy, romantic style. You see, these beauties gave dancers more freedom and grace, allowing them to create the fluid and intricate steps, like those elegant 'Swan Lake' pirouettes and elegant jumps, that swept audiences off their feet. The stage just felt alive!
Oh, and don't even get me started on the details, darling dears. Every tiny pleat, every silken ribbon, and every delicately embroidered flourish spoke of a craftsmanship and love for fashion that still leaves me speechless today! They say the little details make the biggest impact, and with the tutus of this era, that couldn’t be truer!
The fact that the tutus were often embellished with lace, silk, feathers, ribbons and sequins just made the show absolutely sensational and glamorous, making the whole event so grand and special.
This time period also saw the rise of another trend in fashion, namely the 'smock tunic' style that made such a mark on women's fashion, which can clearly be seen in ballet, adding a dash of artistic charm to the stage. The smock tunics, worn by dancers, brought a fresh yet subtle edge to the feminine and enchanting look of these romantic tutus.
My research shows the ladies were not simply embracing elegant ballet tutus on stage, darling dears. These fashion icons brought these looks to life in their everyday wardrobes as well, making this an incredible decade for tutu style, or more precisely, for embracing the romance of fashion! The "smock tunic" even inspired dresses worn on the street - that's right, a hint of dance magic in your day to day! I dare say, some things just never go out of fashion! We have this exquisite romantic smock tunic style to thank for this! I do have a fab one waiting for me to style for a photoshoot, when I'm back in my time!
If the romanticism of this era isn't already exciting enough, the fact that this time saw the introduction of new, innovative materials just takes it to a whole new level! As I explored fashion archives in a truly stunning museum, (one of those buildings I always love getting my tutu pics in front of!), I totally got my hands on some amazing vintage Tussah Silk . I tell you, the quality was beyond compare. Such divine, silky lightness that felt incredibly beautiful and special, and incredibly unique, unlike anything we get today! So that’s why I believe the early 1900s played a big role in showcasing the art of creating beautifully unique ballet tutus for ballet history.
Speaking of taking a peek at historical elegance - imagine me boarding the train from Derby, my beautiful home town. Just picture it - my PinkTutuGirl bag, packed full of my essential pink tutu wear - a pair of classic pointe shoes with my secret extra pair hidden inside to replace if necessary - just in case of an unplanned twirl in the middle of the carriage, of course - not forgetting the pink travel blanket. You know I love a travel train journey! This is such a relaxing and beautiful way to journey back to the Belle Epoque in Europe. My trusty compass never lets me down, either! You'd think, *'What's next, a tutu picnic for the travelling companions! It's really important to look my best and stay in character!
Ah! As I set off on the 12th of September 1905 from Derby, the streets are a sight for sore eyes! Ladies are dressed to the nines in divine gowns and feathered hats! Just take one look at all those beautifully detailed coats and elegant ladies strolling through Derby town, just after the turn of the century, wearing long-flowing, pleated skirt ensembles or blouses with a waist cinched by belts! All those intricate lace details just remind me of my #PinkTutuLove obsession! The whole city buzzes with a vibrancy and elegant beauty - much like those stunning tutus on display in museums today! Just wonderful!
So there you have it, darling dears - another exciting journey into the fabulous history of the ballet tutu. And don't forget, my dear #PinkTutuGirls - our love for these exquisite creations extends far beyond the stage! The ballet tutu holds a special place in our hearts for it's style, fashion and for simply making us feel a little bit extra magical every time we wear one. Until next Tuesday, I hope your hearts are filled with a little bit of #PinkTutuMagic this week, darling dears!
Lots of love and sparkles!
Emma xx
Please note, this blog post is written in a fictional setting and does not reflect true historical events or specific dates or performances.
