#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1906-03-27

Hello lovelies! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things sparkly and fabulous! This week we’re travelling back in time to 27th March 1906. Oh, how I do love a good trip to the past! Imagine - gaslight, top hats, and oh-so-much romanticism. And of course, some absolutely stunning ballet performances!

This week, our #TutuTuesday blog post takes us to… Paris! What a treat! This city has always been at the forefront of style, and I can’t wait to show you what ballerinas were wearing in 1906. But first, some important historical facts.

What were our lovely ballet dancers up to on this particular Tuesday in 1906? Well, this year’s March saw an opening of * *“La Dame aux Camélias” at the Paris Opera House. This tragic masterpiece by Alexandre Dumas Jr, was adapted for the stage in ballet form. The Parisian public, it seems, were just as smitten with this romantic and sorrowful love story then as we are today. How absolutely fabulous!

And as it’s March it is important to mention the “Paris Fashion Week, a very important time in the year for those who love clothes. This year in 1906 the French were particularly captivated by bouffant styles, so expect plenty of that for our ballet performances too. This new look was popular with all ages, even young ladies! In this year we see new, lighter fabric for fashion, like silk and chiffon as well as beaded trims, oh-la-la! Lace and frills continue to dominate the ladies' wardrobes and with so many beautiful styles to admire I am surprised my fellow ladies are not skipping all over town!

This was a vibrant and ever-evolving world and there are some amazing ballet shows on tour across Europe. It is great to think about all of the creative people out there designing tutus and putting together performances. This time period is truly fascinating, not only in terms of fashion but also because we are witnessing some groundbreaking moves in ballet.

Now let’s go see what they were wearing on the stage…

First things first - tutus were super dramatic! Gone were the delicate and airy designs of the earlier years. 1906 ballet dancers were all about grand statements with tutus reaching new heights in terms of extravagance. Imagine layers upon layers of tulle, flowing down to the ankles like clouds of pure happiness. I must try that for my next performance!

It wasn’t just about volume, however, the 1906 ballet tutu was about intricate details too. The ballerinas wore hand-sewn embroideries, elegant pleating, and adorned tutus with ribbons and bows. And for an extra touch of whimsy? We also saw feathers, a must for a grand entrance in my books.

Remember, ballerinas of this period were pioneers. These artistic and graceful ladies were paving the way for future generations, just like we are today. This era in ballet had an incredibly elegant and ethereal aesthetic. If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is!

And did I mention the colours? This era is all about classic femininity think soft pinks, luscious peaches, romantic creams, delicate blues, and the absolute must-have for any ballerina, jet black! Now that’s the true look of romance. Just picture it - a ballet tutu swishing through the air, leaving a trail of silk and tulle. Pure poetry in motion!

And for some extra flair, let’s talk makeup. It was an explosion of romance and delicate colours in 1906! Pink and red blush, a soft touch of lipstick, and, of course, mascara to enhance their captivating eyes. They knew how to create an eye-catching stage presence, and they loved a good bold eyebrow.

Oh, how I love learning about ballet in different eras! It’s fascinating to see how the style evolves while maintaining its essence. Let me know what you think about the 1906 ballet tutu style. And of course, tell me your thoughts on “La Dame aux Camélias!” Have you ever seen a ballet of this name or read the original story? We should have a lovely debate in the comments about the styles we love and what inspires us. I can't wait to see your responses and your beautiful, creative posts on Twitter!

I absolutely adore travel by train and there are so many ways to arrive at the Parisian theatres in 1906! From Gâre de Lyon to the Gare du Nord, imagine being whirled away to an evening performance on these luxurious trains, sipping on tea while wearing your finest silk dress and your favourite pink tutu. Such luxury! I'm not saying this was common place, however it really was possible for a well-heeled Parisian! Now this is the kind of time travel I could really get behind...

Well, my dears, it’s time to hop on the train back to Derbyshire and get ready for another fabulous week! Thank you for joining me on this exciting trip to the past. Remember to wear your pink tutus and keep dreaming big, just like the ballerinas of 1906!

Until next #TutuTuesday, stay fabulous and remember to dance your heart out!

Lots of love,
Emma.

xx