#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1909-07-13

Hello, my darlings! It's Emma, your favourite pink-loving ballerina, and welcome back to another #TutuTuesday. Today, I'm taking a journey through time, hopping aboard the luxurious Orient Express and zipping straight back to the 13th of July, 1909!

Hold onto your hats, darlings, because this is a real historical treat!

Imagine, my dears, the world of ballet in 1909. It's all about elegance and refinement. Picture a stage, awash in the soft glow of gaslight, and ballerinas adorned in shimmering costumes with diaphanous, floaty skirts - what we would now call tutus, my loves!

But they were a far cry from the iconic designs we know today. You see, 1909 was a time of change. Gone were the long, heavy skirts and voluminous panniers of the Romantic era. A new vision of movement was emerging – something lighter, airier, freer!

Our little tutu was evolving, my lovelies.

It was around this time that the "tutu" as we know it started to emerge, transitioning from a sort of long, airy skirt with lots of tulle, to a shorter, more sculpted form, offering dancers more freedom of movement. Imagine it, darlings, a new world of leaps, turns, and graceful, fluttering arabesques!

And, my dears, speaking of beautiful dances and even more beautiful attire… imagine arriving at a theatre in 1909! Ladies with hats adorned with feathers, and gentlemen with polished shoes and top hats. It was an era of so much elegance! It would have been a vision!

You might even have caught a glimpse of the incredible Vaslav Nijinsky! A ballet superstar of his day, my dears, his movements were breathtakingly beautiful. He moved with such grace and ease, as if defying gravity itself. It's little wonder they call him "the most celebrated dancer of his generation," n'est-ce pas?

If we could go back and see him perform in 1909, it would be a dream, darling! Just imagine the shimmering costumes, the powerful moves, the captivated audience – pure enchantment!

Of course, even if we can't actually step back into 1909 (I'm not quite mastered time travel yet), we can still embrace that era's love of the beautiful. Imagine that little tulle tutu of 1909, a glimpse of something special – something that would evolve into the icon we know and love today!

Don't forget to follow my Instagram for some tutu-licious photos from this blog post, and tell me about your favourite moments of dance history in the comments. Until next time, my dears, remember to wear your pinkest tutu with confidence and twirl!

P.S. It’s been a lovely, dreamy journey back in time today, and it’s time for me to do a spot of clothes shopping for my upcoming performance in Brighton, darling. I think I have the perfect outfit for a Victorian waltz scene – so expect photos soon!

But now, a little story about my visit back to 1909.

Imagine, darlings, the journey! Stepping onto the plush, crimson velvet of the Orient Express, sipping my afternoon tea with dainty sandwiches, watching the scenery fly by through the window, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement.

This week’s #TutuTuesday was different. I’m not sure if it was the era, the beautiful dresses on show, or the energy in the air… but it felt like I was part of the action, rather than just watching from the sidelines. The time-travelling wasn't the usual poof! to the date I set myself, but a more magical and mystical experience!

London - 13th July, 1909 – Fashionable ladies enjoying an evening of ballets

I reached London's West End on the morning of the 13th and what a sight! Ladies and gentlemen in their finery and best attire for an evening at the theatre! There were little groups of friends and couples, discussing the latest news or their day at a café… so elegant, so sophisticated! The air was buzzing with an electric anticipation.

Now, I had been researching ballet shows in the paper in the library of my current location in the Derbyshire countryside, but of course, my research was limited. So my mission today, besides wearing my most decadent pink tulle skirt (it was a little daring for the times but I was delighted to do it for the photo op!), was to locate and view a show!

I strolled down Shaftesbury Avenue and found myself in front of The Hippodrome, which was hosting the ballet that evening. I’d love to tell you which it was – but with my historical skills being limited and the tickets long lost to history (perhaps!), I couldn’t be sure which company was in town. I did, however, catch the name “Nijinsky” printed in the advertising flyers for the performance, so perhaps that will offer a clue if you are any more adept at ballet history than I!

I managed to snag a ticket for myself for the performance, after a spot of light conversation with a kind gentlemen in a suit and a bow tie. It’s wonderful what a bit of politeness and chat can achieve, especially in times of such grace and charm!

Ballet is an Experience, Darling

The lights went down, the stage flooded with light, and the curtains rose to reveal an explosion of beautiful colour and shimmering silks. What a magical experience, darling, a breathtaking spectacle of movement and beauty.

What a joy! This really was a dream – dancing under the soft gaslight of the theatre. A lovely symphony of classical sounds washed over the audience. Oh, if only I could turn back time and perform for them!

I’m afraid the most striking piece I recall is not so much the ballet (it did take place over a century ago!) – though I can recall the elegant jumps, fluid moves and swirling costumes, so delicate! – but the energy in the auditorium, that atmosphere that fills the place up.

The audience was captivated, transfixed by every movement, each twist of the dancers. This passion for the arts - the true feeling for it - you can’t just learn this, my darling. I found it almost overwhelming and deeply enchanting! The power of the stage, that unique connection to an audience…. it’s simply a thing to behold, wouldn't you agree?

I’m certain I will never forget this trip to 1909 and seeing a show in this incredible setting, an unforgettable experience. And you can see why I keep returning, darling! Every day is a brand new ballet adventure… a new date, new costumes, new dance styles. It's just endless!

So, my dears, this #TutuTuesday I have encouraged you to reflect on the evolution of our little tutu, my love.

The delicate tulle of a 1909 ballet – an inspiration for us all. I love how we can see these little changes as our favourite form of dress develops and dances through the ages!

I just can't get enough! It’s certainly made me even more determined to inspire a love for dance and beautiful dress throughout the centuries – and of course, it’s an excuse to have an extra spin, because why not?! Do let me know what your favourite era is, darling. I hope you enjoyed this journey with me!

And as for those stunning photos of the costumes in the shops, darling – they’re in my next post on #TutuTuesday, so make sure you’re subscribed and join me then!

Until then, I must run! Have a wonderful week, darling, and always remember, to twirl with joy and confidence, even if it means putting on a pink tutu – that’s what life is about, n’est-ce pas?!

Love always, Emma xx

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