Bonjour mes chĆØres ballerinas! Emma here, back from another whirl through time in my trusty pink tutu (the colour, of course, is a must in any time traveler's wardrobe!). This week we're taking a little trip to February 15th, 1910, just imagine ā it was just the other day, right? Well, no, not really. 113 years is quite a bit! But, my dear readers, time seems to be racing by with my travelling! I find myself so lucky to be able to use my passion for ballet as the perfect disguise to get around, because when Iām not flitting about the centuries in my favourite tutus, I'm usually getting into my favourite spot: a ballet performance! I can't seem to help but think how much tutus and ballet have influenced fashion, both now and then. They were already gaining huge popularity in the early 20th Century, especially around Paris. Who would have guessed that little tutus, initially intended for the dance studio, would spark fashion trends worldwide?
But before I go any further, do come and join me for a quick chat at www.pink-tutu.com ā Iād love to see you there, just drop me a line! Iāve been adding some exciting new tutu-fied goodies, especially since the 1910s are so close in time! Think gorgeous hats, fabulous gloves and dazzling pearl necklaces... It's time to celebrate!
Where Did Our 1910 Tutus Take Us This Time?
As I stepped out of the railway carriage (imagine a glorious red plush carriage with ornate detailing ā what a treat!), it was almost like stepping into the theatre. Iām in Paris - and don't even think for a minute this wasn't deliberate! Oh my! So, it's the start of the fashion season and the buzz of fashion designers are already planning their upcoming lines - just in time for Spring! It was also the era of the Russian Ballets!
If you were lucky enough to have attended a performance back then, the costumes and dancersā movements would have truly captivated you! If there was ever a time when the audience sat enthralled, and gasping in admiration, it would have been here. Even though Paris has a fashion flair all of its own - oh la la! - Russian dancers seemed to be doing a better job of ātaking the stageā, I mean.
Back then, tutus, werenāt just about pretty and fluffy, they were making a serious statement about their artistic intent and bringing out the elegance, dynamism and sophistication of a dance performance.
The Early 20th Century ā A Real Whirlwind!
Back in 1910, a good olā āknee-lengthā tutu was all the rage, and the dancers at the Ballet Russe weren't just sporting them in performances, oh no, they wore them with a sense of real Parisian style!
A couple of designers we've been loving back in this era, and you should be, too, are: Leon Bakst and Alexandre Benois; they were, dare I say it? Revolutionaries!
Think about the influence these men had - all thanks to their flair for design. Leon Bakst made some pretty exciting changes to ballet's costuming with vibrant colour and a kind of 'oriental-inspired' designs. But wait - there's more! These tutus - so 'theatre-inspired' and designed by these men - are still adored by modern-day dancers and I dare say, will remain fashionable forever! The way these costumes highlighted the female dancersā shapes - what a triumph, especially at the beginning of a new decade!
Just In Case You Missed My Last Tutu Tuesday!
Well, let me share this bit of history ā those of you who know my blog, may remember when I did a ā#TutuTuesdayā post in September, I talked about āThe Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairyā, (this time period! Itās pretty significant when it comes to Ballet and the tutu) - that performance was like a real fashion dream ā you all got to learn a bit about āTchaikovsky's 'Nutcrackerāā. Well, here is what you all loved about my last post. Tchaikovsky's work really took ballet and tutus to another level ā if we are talking historical leaps! He just understood this āballet fashionā thing - just as we do now - tutus just came naturally, to his creative mind, as something incredibly graceful and pretty to watch. But his brilliance - oh yes - he did understand, the key to making tutus more than just about fashion, that was performance; to see those tutus really work - oh my goodness - I must tell you!
For our history lesson today - what was The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (this is in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, so as I said a massive influence in the 1910's) all about - besides a fashion parade? Letās explore the artistic side of ballet and the history of the tutu
This iconic role (performed by a graceful prima ballerina), the one that is most celebrated by ballerina's throughout the world, had the audience in a frenzy, all because of the ballet itself! So what we see is, a dance scene with, delicate tutus, with their frills, beautiful movements and exquisite grace. The magic! Oh my word, the magic was absolutely electrifying! What could be better? We see so much talent and dedication, but letās not forget the magic created by that iconic tutu, that magical garment that adds such incredible elegance, and a whole level of perfection, to what would otherwise be a very plain ballet costume.
Back in 1910, dancers often used feather boas - so much more elegant than our simple, ordinary boas from back home in Derby (England, you see!), - a feathery boa would really set a Parisian ballerina off from the crowd, like a beacon of pure and beautiful elegance. If Iām going to give you one style tip it would be that in Paris - a Parisian boas makes the dancer in her elegant and beautiful pink tutu - stand out. Thereās simply no substitute, to elevate any outfit to another level - feather boa, here we come! (Iāll be sure to find out who the leading designer was on this one, to let you know - my dear fashion loving tutu friends! Fingers crossed) They had quite a strong emphasis on the use of fabrics and textiles; youāll know by now that fashionistas, particularly back then, were very careful about the colours used in fashion. If you haven't got colour then - whatās the point? I say, fashion must have its colours - as we do in the 21st Century. But this does make me wonder, has our colour palate diminished now? No? Let me know, because maybe I can find some interesting, Parisian, vibrant colours for my upcoming blog!
So What Exactly Was the Inspiration for This Time Travelling #TutuTuesday?
Today is such an important date for lovers of fashion! Today, on this fabulous, magical, Tuesday in February, (I've taken it upon myself to discover) is *Fashionās āBlack and White Ballā (or Black & White Gala - *the big one to be at), in Paris. **Yes, itās the talk of all those Parisian ballerinas! If thereās ever a ball to get ready for, and dress up for, then this one is surely at the top of that list, wouldn't you say? It's actually an invitation-only party but I always try and use my travelling powers - even to sneak a peek (don't tell my time travel supervisor though! Maybe I can convince her itās good for the blog, donāt you think?)
But what was on February 15, 1910 - the historical events! I thought that would be fun to see if fashion had any correlation at all to the more serious stuff happening - that's what I am all about (as you know).
On February 15, 1910 - a very famous and respected Italian singer called Enrico Caruso gave a stunning concert at Carnegie Hall in the U.S. Imagine what it must have been like to hear his voice! There's been no one with his skills - heās one of the greatest. That was one of my other big passions, Opera, of course - opera is so close to the history of ballet and tutus, don't you think? He's got to be included as a key player, one of the main influential personalities in the ballet and opera fashion, especially as thereās such a close association - I always look at fashion and ballet like one beautiful costume! But, we are on a Parisian tour at the moment so weāve got to get back to what's been happening here (I know my readers are on the edge of their seats - what has happened in Paris!??!!
You already know my big love - tutus (well, at least by now you should), they're everywhere. The theatre! The street! And fashion is obsessed - this was just what I needed. A sign! Thereās an announcement coming up. A design exhibition at MusĆ©e des Arts DĆ©coratifs. I can just imagine - it's one of those exhibits that is jam packed with creative ideas, but just for one month only! Let me tell you the most important event happening here: a Parisian, Ball at the āFrench Tennis Clubā in Saint Cloud. (It would appear that tennis clubs were the 'happening placesā in Paris!) That would be the ball I'm going to get ready for. How glamorous - don't you agree? Just one more little thingā¦ thereās some fashion news we can't let go! And, my friends this time, it's really serious ā one to note - the most amazing thing - just a fashion note from Paris, what you will be loving soon in a couple of years time! But, to the joy of Parisian ladies and gentlemen it is not too early forā¦ the 'Parisian Tulle'. Well this certainly was big, very fashionable, news - tulle in those times - it is a real hit - especially around Paris and all the theatres, it had become huge. Well of course, I don't need to tell you. My dear, tu-tu loving, readers, it is very hard not to mention Tulle, isnāt it! Well 'tulle' will always have a special place in my fashion-loving heart, nāest ce pas? This blog is really becoming long so I will continue this historical tutu fashion story next week - be sure to drop by for some more tutu trivia and amazing outfits - maybe we will do a little more time-hopping around Paris in the future! See you all next week for more tutu delights, for more fun in fashion ā and until then *remember: every day can be Tutu Tuesday!
