Hello my lovely pink-tutu-wearing friends! It’s Emma here, your favourite time-travelling ballerina, and welcome to blog post number 4002! 💖 This week we're diving back into history to discover how ballet tutus were captivating audiences in 1908! Buckle up for a journey back to the grand, glamorous world of ballet, a world I just adore!
I recently found myself waltzing back to 8th September 1908, and I’ve gotta tell you, the tutus back then were absolutely delightful! My oh my, were the colours bright, the fabrics rich, and the designs exquisite! They weren’t the sleek, minimalist numbers we often see on the stage today – no, these tutus were designed to dazzle and delight, with frills and flounces that flowed and twirled with the dancer's every movement.
I felt like I’d been transported to the grandest of ballet theaters, the likes of the Opéra Garnier in Paris, a city famed for its fashion and artistic expression. It was the era of the ‘Romantic Ballet’ – a time when stories of fairies, sprites, and ethereal beings took to the stage and demanded elegant, ethereal tutus to match.
Think shimmering silks in shades of buttercup yellow, shimmering turquoise, and delicate pastel pinks. They were often layered, like the layers of a delicious cake, and adorned with tulle flounces and layers of ribbons, often adding delicate floral details like embroidered roses or even velvet forget-me-nots! It was as if the tutus themselves were blossoming with beauty!
The designs were simply heavenly! There were tutus for every occasion, from the intricate, lavish gowns for a Grand Pas de Deux, like a fairytale princess coming to life, to the light, airy, and flowing skirts perfect for those ethereal waltzes.
The grandest tutus were designed to capture the light and dance with the dancer as they moved across the stage. It’s a sight I could stare at for hours. These weren't just garments – they were a work of art!
Now, you may be wondering, "But Emma, where would you shop for tutus in 1908?" I was fortunate enough to stumble across a fabulous little shop in London, the "De la Rue and Sons" on Bond Street. This exquisite establishment boasted an incredible array of fabrics and embellishments. Can you imagine, delicate handmade silk blossoms, shimmering sequins, and lace of the most beautiful designs. They were heaven on earth, and a little pricey, let me tell you, but I could spend hours wandering through their aisles and dreaming about a custom-designed tutu for a night at the Royal Opera House.
Imagine a world where you could just pick a fabric, lace, or tulle, and they'd create your dream tutu for a night out on the town. Or perhaps a custom-made tutu to wear for a picnic at Kew Gardens with your fellow ballet lovers! Oh, how delightful!
I was also lucky enough to see an unforgettable performance by the legendary Anna Pavlova! It’s a day I won’t ever forget, especially the sheer wonder I felt watching her flit across the stage in a breathtaking white tulle tutu, looking as light as a feather. You know how I adore a little white, and hers was perfect for a "Giselle."
One of the key pieces I observed was the ‘Romantic Ballet’ influence, where dancers would adopt the soft, graceful forms of an era infused with fairytale and ethereal storytelling. It really inspired the whole fashion era – remember the ‘Gibson girl’ silhouette? Long, flowing gowns were favoured over more rigid corset shapes, allowing a freedom of movement for the modern woman. And these styles were beautifully complemented by the lighter, freer lines of the tutus on the stage!
You can see a hint of this elegant flow in some of today's modern ballet designs – like the tulle skirts we see in neoclassical ballets that use modern dance movements but keep some of those traditional tutu-like qualities. You can almost imagine how modern ballet evolved from that inspiration!
1908 – what a year!
Now, I can't leave you without a little fashion advice. For the rest of your week, why not consider embracing the Romantic era style with a dreamy pastel-toned tutu and flowy skirt or dress? Add some tulle, a little sparkle, and a sprinkle of fairytale magic to your look, and be sure to show off those elegant movements you've learned in ballet class! You'll be ready to dance through life with a touch of elegance and grace!
And be sure to keep your eye on your favorite shop windows and designer catalogues for the latest looks that are influenced by the beauty and elegance of a ballerina's tutu.
As always, darling friends, I encourage you to keep those toes pointed, hold that chin high, and always be your fabulous selves, wherever your travels may take you, on or off the stage. Remember, it's a new tutu-rific Tuesday every week! 💕
Until next time,
Emma xox
*P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and follow my blog for even more tutuesque inspiration and fun! *
