Greetings, darling dancers!
Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveler, bringing you another fabulous foray into the history of our beloved ballet tutus! Today, we're skipping back to 9th October, 1906. A crisp autumn morning, perfect for a walk in Hyde Park, London, or perhaps a cup of tea at the Ritz. Oh, to be a lady of leisure in those days!
But let's be honest, the real draw of 1906 was the ballet. It was truly a golden age, my dears, an era where dance took centre stage, quite literally! Think towering headdresses, elegant lines, and the captivating allure of classical ballet. It's hard to imagine how even we could be more fabulous, isn't it?
Today, we're stepping back in time to explore the tutus of this glamorous era. The main players? The Romantic era tutus! You know, the kind that evoke dreamy waltzes, star-crossed lovers, and all that beautifully theatrical melodrama we adore! The long, flowing skirts, often with an ethereal layering of tulle – oh, how they danced! A sheer delight to behold! I could just picture myself twirling and leaping in a gorgeous pastel pink confection – maybe even adorned with sequins for extra sparkle!
While these beauties are different from our modern tutus, they represent the evolution of ballet costume. Gone are the cumbersome, heavier dresses of yore, replaced with delicate, flowing garments that allow for breathtaking artistry and incredible movement. It's all about lightness and grace, my darlings!
Now, what was going on in the ballet world on 9th October 1906, you ask? Well, we find ourselves a few days before the Russian Ballet's season would start at the London Coliseum. This extraordinary company would ignite the imagination of audiences across the world. With its emphasis on groundbreaking choreography, dramatic storytelling, and costumes designed for impact, the Russian Ballet revolutionised the way we understand and appreciate ballet, ushering in a golden age for the dance form. And, you guessed it, those tutus – oh, those stunning tutus!
Remember those romantic ballet tutus we were talking about? These tutus were just getting their time to shine. But in 1906, you wouldn't be catching them at Covent Garden – at least not at the Royal Opera House. In those days, there were a set of ballet masters there, keeping things relatively tradition-bound. But even in London's own dance halls, new designs and daring shapes were already challenging what was accepted in those "holier than thou" walls!
Fun Fact! I absolutely love train travel, and believe you me, if I had a choice to be on the train this Tuesday in 1906, I would be in London on my way to the Royal Opera House! It was the place to see the very best and most cutting edge performances and a big date to see what other ballet lovers would be wearing and even try to catch up on the latest dance trends!
Today's blog wouldn't be complete without a little shopping suggestion, my dears. For a dose of 1906 inspiration, take a peek at Libby's London Boutique - they always have gorgeous vintage pieces that evoke this era's romance. And for all things pink, there's always the lovely Miss Lily's Emporium - you simply can't go wrong!
Now, before you all rush off to shop till you drop, remember the important thing: wear pink, embrace the twirl, and live your best ballet life!
Until next week, stay fabulous, darlings!
Love, Emma x
(PS: I’d absolutely love to hear what your favourite vintage tutu styles are, leave a comment below. And, don’t forget to post your pink tutu looks with #TutuTuesday on Instagram!)
