#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1907-01-15

Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! Today we're taking a grand leap back in time, all the way to January 15th, 1907, to uncover some of the sartorial secrets behind the tutus that graced the stage over a century ago.

Buckle up, because today's journey will involve a grand tour of Paris, where ballet tutus, and of course, my favourite colour pink, were flourishing! Now, for those of you new to my #BalletTutuHistory blog (this is post number 3916, if you're keeping count!), we delve into the fascinating story behind tutus from every era, from their beginnings to the spectacular modern designs we adore today. It's like a giant, ever-unfolding tutu tapestry!

Now, let's jump onto our time-traveling train. Chug, chug We’re off!

As the train pulled into the Gare de Lyon in Paris, a wave of stylish energy swept over me. Imagine – elegant carriages filled with exquisitely dressed women, a flurry of delicate hats, flowing dresses and intricate lace, all set against the backdrop of iconic Parisian buildings. It was as if I'd stepped straight into a fashion illustration, only better because, well, the real thing is always better, isn't it?

Of course, being a ballerina myself, I was on the lookout for ballet-inspired fashion, and wouldn’t you know it, Paris didn't disappoint! I even spied a stunning ballerina-style dress in a dusty rose pink on a woman exiting a cafe. She was the epitome of French chic, with a charming hat adorned with delicate feathers, and those graceful, ladylike movements that Parisians are so well known for!

Now, I may be from Derbyshire, England, a county that may not be famous for fashion, but don’t tell anyone this – I secretly think Derbyshire girls have some of the best style! The truth is that England was quite heavily influenced by French fashion and this era was certainly no exception!

Speaking of England, I must share with you the amazing time I spent at the Covent Garden in London. My latest performance – I played a cheeky sugar plum fairy – was simply divine, and it sparked quite a sensation in London society! People just couldn't get enough of that beautiful ballet-style tulle, especially after my curtain calls! You see, I believe it’s our duty as ballet dancers to wear tutus with such charisma and pride, that it sets the world in a constant swirl of grace. I love inspiring everyone to embrace a bit of ballet and, most importantly, a touch of pink.

I can’t go without mentioning my little secret – how my incredible journeys in time are fuelled by my ballet performances! Ever since I discovered this unique ability of mine to travel through time, well, I must say it’s been the biggest, most thrilling, and tutu-tiful adventure!

Paris in 1907 was a veritable wonderland for ballet fashion. The iconic "tutu" we see on ballerinas today was just starting to make its dramatic appearance! But before we talk about those revolutionary tutus, a quick glimpse into what ballerinas were wearing prior to 1907.

Imagine heavy satin and velvet, corseted waistlines, and elaborate skirts, almost like the ones we see in old Shakespearean plays. Now imagine that, with a little more movement… and you've pretty much got the earlier styles! I mean, you couldn’t twirl and leap in all those heavy fabrics!

Then, the Romantic ballet era ushered in a movement toward something lighter and more fluid! You could say it was an en pointe moment for fashion and ballet history. A change of mindset about women, fashion, and how we could dance took place at this time.

Imagine, for a moment, a stage filled with ethereal tutus in wispy white, flowing like billowing clouds. They were nothing short of a revelation! Those early tutus, which often included layers upon layers of gauze, tulle, and netting, brought about a captivating change in the appearance and overall movement of ballet! It was, quite literally, an absolute explosion of colour and grace!

While white and shades of white were definitely the "in" colour, a hint of pink, in the form of ribbon and decorative flourishes, was making an appearance on tutus. Even in 1907, the influence of pink, was already undeniable!

*Now, here's something extra special I’ve found… *

Back then, the “pannier tutu” was very popular and was created by incorporating hoop shapes underneath the tutu layers, making it super full, grand and more dramatic. Now imagine a fluffy meringue confection, sprinkled with a generous dash of delicate flowers - that was essentially the essence of the pannier tutu! Just glorious! Imagine how those dancers glided on stage - just like an extravagant and romantic ballet dream! They practically took to the stage with the power and energy of a ballerina in a full-on swirl, especially in those spectacular leaps and jetés. Oh, those dramatic leaps were something else!

But it's not all about the clothes! You can't have ballet without the performance! And in 1907, Paris was buzzing with ballets! "La Sylphide" was a favourite at the time, and what a beautiful story it tells! It's full of whimsical sylphs, enchanting magic, and romantic love - perfectly capturing the romanticism of the time.

Remember when I mentioned "La Sylphide"? Well, I must share this with you… One day while visiting Paris, I took a little detour to a charming little antique store and found this vintage ballet costume – a gorgeous pale pink Sylphide tutu from the 1907 era! I was beside myself! And yes, of course, I had to have it! Now, it’s sitting pretty in my own private ballet archive - a piece of history waiting for its grand appearance in a special performance, only for you guys, my fellow ballet enthusiasts!

Now, as the day comes to an end, and the magical city of Paris settles down into a graceful, elegant slumber, I can’t wait to find my pink tutu, dust off my shoes, and dance a few spins around my bedroom in preparation for another magnificent performance tomorrow. After all, a tutu never looks out of place, doesn’t it? I always think, it's time for the whole world to embrace pink tutus, and I can already see the incredible and delightful possibilities.

And that's it, my lovelies! Remember to always strive for that unique kind of grace and style that comes only from your inner ballet diva!

Now go forth, dance beautifully and make the world your stage! And most importantly…

Embrace the tutu and the power of pink! 💕 🩰

See you next Tuesday!

With love, Emma. www.pink-tutu.com