Oh, bonjour mes amies! Welcome to another fabulous edition of #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History! This week, we’re hopping on the train to the city of lights – Paris, the very heart of elegance and fashion! And I’m absolutely brimming with excitement to talk about ballet tutus from this delightful era!
As a little background for those new to my blog, my name is Emma, and I'm a pink tutu enthusiast from Derbyshire, England. It’s my life mission to make the world a pinker place (or at least to encourage everyone to slip into a beautiful pink tutu!). But I also love the rich history of ballet, especially how tutus evolved over time!
Now, back to our glamorous trip to Paris in 1909. This date marks a turning point in history – we’re smack bang in the middle of La Belle Époque, an era known for its extraordinary artistic flourish and opulent lifestyles. Naturally, that extends to ballet!
If you could imagine a world without a proper tutu? My darling, it wouldn’t be ballet as we know it! I can't even fathom it! This was the era when the iconic Romantic tutu really blossomed!
So, what made the tutus of the 1900s so special? Well, think of them as a blend of airy grace and elegance. The Romantic tutu was all about soft, flowing fabrics - tulle and silk. This beautiful combination meant ballerinas could practically float across the stage, which created such a beautiful spectacle. Imagine seeing those billowing layers of tulle dance to the rhythm of the music. Stunning, isn’t it?
And in 1909, Paris was abuzz with ballet, especially the exquisite Ballet Russes, founded by Serge Diaghilev. The ballet company was a total sensation, filled with revolutionary choreography, dazzling music, and dazzling costumes, all perfectly orchestrated!
It’s said that in the year we are focusing on, Anna Pavlova made her Parisian debut at the Théâtre du Châtelet! Now THAT'S what I call exciting! She even made the news, because what she wore and how she moved were all just so utterly beautiful.
Let’s not forget, tutus were not just for the stage! Women all over Paris and even in my home country were sporting delicate lace, tulle, and feathered trims inspired by the dancers. They even sported the tulle on dresses, jackets, and even bonnets – a perfect way to bring that elegance of the stage to daily life!
One of my favorite things to do on my little excursions back in time is to check out the Parisian fashion boutiques. And oh, darling, have I got some stories for you about the Parisian shops! This era was all about glamour, and that glamour wasn’t reserved only for those who walked the stage!
I found myself browsing an enchanting shop called La Samaritaine – an amazing department store. They were so ahead of their time! The beautiful silk and lace fabrics they stocked in vibrant pinks and soft pastels – enough to make even the most seasoned ballerina blush! I can just picture those frocks flowing in the breeze, a little nod to those lovely Parisian tutus.
Speaking of Paris, did you know they hold a phenomenal ballets even in the colder winter months? The ballet houses were heated, of course, as Parisian's are incredibly fashion conscious even in winter and were definitely keen on avoiding chilled feet or frozen toes! You couldn't imagine a single one of these fabulous Parisians showing up to the ballet house looking anything less than divine, especially not without the right accessories to complete a fantastic outfit, no matter the weather!
And imagine all the fashion inspiration I find! Not only did I watch the Parisian ballerinas on the stage in these delightful tutus, but I also watched them when they strolled through the grand city! Imagine, a stylish lady gliding through the streets in her very own pink tutu with a fashionable hat and stylish gloves. It was something so exciting that it would give the ladies in my hometown a reason to skip from a plain brown or blue skirt into something infinitely more glamorous.
So, my darling tutus, whether we’re in Derbyshire or the elegant streets of Paris, it seems that tutus never go out of style! Even those iconic Parisian ballerinas had a certain je ne sais quoi that, much like a well-made tutu, never goes out of fashion.
What did I see on the stage today?
Oh, I had the pleasure of watching a performance by the Ballet Russes, who were touring across France – my favorite troupe in all of Europe. Their choreography, oh my darling, their choreography is simply dazzling. So full of passionate movements, all set to a stunning musical backdrop! I especially love the way the costumes twirl and swirl. I practically wanted to dance right up onto the stage myself!
I did find it particularly amusing when, at the beginning of one of the acts, I witnessed the male dancers being dressed by women! I find the contrast hilarious – those long graceful limbs being squeezed into these intricately detailed leotards, quite literally. Just picture those gentlemen trying to be all tough and handsome before being primped and preened by a skilled dressmaker! And as we all know, you just can't take away a dancer's glamour - men are quite well equipped to deal with feminine fashion in the right circumstances.
Don't forget, darlings, #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History will be back next Tuesday with another fantastic post. And in the meantime, go get your tutu ready!
Bisous and until next week,
Emma.
