Hello darlings, and welcome back to another glorious Tutu Tuesday! Today, we're hopping aboard the time machine (well, it's more of a really fancy steam train, but who's counting?) and heading back to October 20th, 1908, for a glimpse into the world of ballet!
Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I picked this specific date. Well, dear reader, October 20th, 1908, marks the first performance of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in Paris, which is where the real tutus magic happened, trust me! This was the launch of a legendary ballet company that took the world by storm, changing the face of ballet forever!
And how could I resist a trip to Paris, the city of romance and elegance? Imagine it - chic cafés, charming cobblestone streets, the smell of freshly baked pastries in the air, and of course, the beautiful Palais Garnier, the home of the Paris Opera, where those fabulous Ballets Russes dancers captivated audiences with their revolutionary choreography and gorgeous costumes. Talk about #tutusgoals!
Now, 1908 wasn't all about big, sweeping tutus, at least not on stage. Ballet dancers back then weren't yet sporting the billowing, voluminous tutus we know and love today. Those tutus, my dears, were just beginning to be introduced, mainly for special occasions. Instead, they were wearing shorter, tighter-fitting tutus, and let me tell you, they still looked absolutely stunning!
Just picture it: beautiful ballerinas gliding across the stage in their perfectly fitted, sparkling costumes, creating breathtaking artistry. The movements were still very classical, very elegant, very graceful. Even the costumes were designed to highlight the form of the body.
You know me, though - I'm always a fan of a dramatic tutu moment! I love the way they billow and swish, the way they add a touch of whimsicality to even the most serious ballet. It's the ultimate way to express yourself on stage, to become one with the dance. I think every ballerina deserves to feel the thrill of twirling in a full, fluffy tutu at least once in their lives.
Speaking of twirling, while we're back in the 1900s, let's chat about a few ballet trends you'll see! The ladies loved a bit of a 'puff sleeve' – think very full and beautiful with frills. These were particularly lovely on ball gowns and the 'walking-around-town' gowns of the era, because what’s not to love about frills, honestly! I've been hunting for a pair of those puff sleeve ballet tops, actually! Oh, and you have to love the use of lace in almost every garment! There’s a very fine, dainty feminine look across most clothing in the 1900s that's simply beautiful. And a nice bit of ‘pearl embellishment' too, in an opulent and stylish manner. If you are looking for a touch of the Victorian in your look, head back to 1908 and steal a few ideas from their wardrobe.
As for off-stage, well, ladies were just beginning to embrace trousers for leisure and work – even wearing a rather lovely looking pair of silk pants (it seems it is true: fashion does go around in a circle!). A lot of the clothes they wore for work were very similar to today - simple dresses, blouses and the all-important 'pinafore' which we have thankfully seen the back of - let's thank the fashion gods for that.
You see, I just can’t resist a good trip through time. You get to see the very roots of dance and its clothing.
And what was everyone wearing on October 20th, 1908? The Vogue magazine would have recommended elegant, frilled gowns and 'day suits’ and the ladies, I can assure you, would be keen on dressing as nicely as possible. The colour for Autumn that year would have been Oxblood – what a fabulous colour! I really have to find out how they used to colour their fabrics back then because their dyes were incredibly long-lasting, and beautiful, if a little more on the natural colour palette, compared to the vivid dyes available today! I love the subtle hues of 1908. I’m thinking I might try an Oxblood tutu…
For men? The fashion gods had them wearing dark tailored suits with three-piece jackets and a matching 'vest' – what an inspired outfit! In fact, men’s suits are so sharp from that era! My dad has a beautiful tweed suit – I wonder if we can borrow that and bring a dash of Victorian gentleman style to this blog? The colours of these suits would be mostly navy blue, dark brown or black - but never underestimate the ‘pinstripe’ trend that was doing the rounds! My goodness, where have those sharp suits gone! sigh
If we had travelled by train (which of course we had), it is a pretty good bet we would have passed someone looking utterly glamorous on their way to the theatre - after all, the theatre was where the true fashion gods would descend, to dazzle with gowns of fabulous style! It's almost as exciting as wearing a sparkly tutu, let me tell you!
So, there you have it - a little peek into the fascinating world of ballet and fashion in 1908. The legacy of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes lives on in the ballet world today. Who knows, maybe someday we'll even get to see a ballet with an all-pink tutu cast! I have faith in the fashion gods. And, if we’re going back to 1908 in a few weeks I think it might be just the perfect opportunity to give this little idea a try. Stay tuned for a truly beautiful 'all pink’ Tutu Tuesday!
Until next week, keep twirling and stay fabulous!
Love, Emma
P.S. Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for all your tutu needs and more!
P.P.S. What are you doing to celebrate Tutu Tuesday? Share your pictures with me on social media! #PinkTutuBlog #TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #TravelTheWorld
