Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday! Today we're whisking ourselves back in time, to the wonderful year 1907, to delve into the history of the ballet tutu. This little skirt has a story that spans centuries, and I just can't wait to share it with you!
Firstly, I simply had to hop aboard a grand train from Derbyshire to reach Paris. This is the centre of ballet's magic, the very city where I, your #pinktutublogger, find the most stunning, fabulous tutus to inspire my #tutuTuesday posts. I always make sure to look impeccably dressed when I arrive at the train station, a lovely pastel pink tutu and sparkling shoes with a matching handbag, of course! I just can't imagine any other outfit would suit me while I journey through time.
But, where was I? Yes, 1907! This year was packed with fantastic, inspiring ballet shows, with performances by legendary dancers like Anna Pavlova. Oh, to see her graceful movements! If only I could wear such fabulous ballet shoes. I'd be spinning and leaping like a ballerina in a dream!
What else was happening? On April 23rd, the world witnessed the tragic sinking of the HMS Victoria, just a few months before the opening of the iconic Empire State Building in 1931, which is when I'll be heading to New York next time, because the style is so stunning, they make all the beautiful dance shoes! The fashion was something to write home about too! It wasn't as revolutionary as the later flapper dress era, but this year really gave the world the taste for the art deco era in fashion. There was an unmistakable trend towards flowing shapes, soft fabrics, and bold, beautiful colours - think midnight blue and a touch of emerald. If you ever need a beautiful new dress, a bold green hue like that of a precious jewel, makes your complexion glow like a diamond!
But let's talk tutus, my darlings! 1907 was a time when tutus were changing, becoming shorter and shorter to accentuate the length of the leg. This period saw a trend towards a classic 'Romantic' style - picture beautiful, delicate chiffon skirts with a gentle, almost ethereal drape. Imagine it swirling around the dancers as they pirouette!
Just think, back then the ballerina would start the show in a skirt that barely brushed the floor and finish it in a short skirt that showcased the line of their legs. These tutus would come with little trains to give that romantic elegance. How beautifully theatrical, don't you think? It’s this trend that paved the way for the much-loved and familiar ‘tutu’ we all associate with the ballet today.
The Romantic period was when ballet really began to bloom, bringing us some of the most beautiful and breathtaking classical ballets. Imagine “La Sylphide”, "Swan Lake”, and "Giselle" - they were all taking the world by storm during this time. Talk about stunning!
Now, while the Romantic period was fantastic for fashion in ballet and truly brought the ‘tutu’ into the spotlight, it wasn’t always all silk and elegance. The ballerinas who danced in these delicate garments had a tough time. The fabric was thin, their movements were delicate, the stages were not always heated and, on top of that, they wore heavy shoes, all for a performance lasting well over two hours! No wonder ballerinas had such amazing strength back then! I admire their tenacity, grace, and beauty!
One thing that hasn't changed over the decades is that the most exquisite tutus still boast a beautiful shape - a little, gathered explosion of pastel shades of pink. What's a ballerina without a lovely tutu? Can you imagine your life without pink? I couldn't!
The world of ballet has evolved and tutus have changed, but the magic remains! These graceful garments have stood the test of time, from the delicate Romantic era through to today's dramatic interpretations and dazzling styles. This graceful skirt, full of history and beauty, has inspired generations of ballerinas, just as it continues to inspire and amaze me today!
If you're feeling like a true ballet enthusiast and want to celebrate #TutuTuesday, let's keep it simple. Every #TutuTuesday you should take a moment to appreciate these elegant pieces of history. If you can’t buy yourself a pink tutu, even the smallest detail makes a difference! Maybe it's simply pairing a cute ballerina dress with pink lipstick. It can be a fun ballerina style you found on Pinterest or maybe a pink tulle ribbon as a headpiece! Anything you can do to remember this magnificent time in the history of dance!
See you next Tuesday, darlings, and remember,
Pink is my power colour, the only true colour of love. But everyone should find the colour they love and rock their look. I promise to always help you on this path to find your passion. Let's keep dancing, darling!
Emma xo