#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1910-05-24

Hello my darling tutus! It’s Emma here, your pinkest-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to my Ballet Tutu History blog!

Today’s the 24th May 1910, and I’m back from another whirlwind trip to the magical world of 19th Century ballet! Can you believe it? My latest adventures landed me right in the heart of Paris – oh, the glamour! – just in time to catch the opening night of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes!

Let me tell you, Paris is abuzz with the energy of this daring company! The music, the costumes, the dancing – they are quite simply breathtaking. Even in a city known for its elegance and style, the Ballets Russes stands out, a riot of colour, movement, and emotion that leaves everyone speechless. It's no surprise that they’ve been making headlines all across Europe. And you know what? Tutus have got something to do with that!

Now, as a time-travelling ballerina who's obsessed with the history of our beloved tutu, it would be utterly rude of me not to mention today's big star – Vaslav Nijinsky. You simply can’t talk about Ballets Russes without acknowledging this incredible dancer. This is the man who truly embraced the art of the tutu in all its glory, showcasing incredible movement and artistry in productions like “Le Spectre de la Rose” and “L’Après-midi d’un faune.” He has captivated the world, and honestly? It's his dedication to this glorious garment that has driven me to continue writing these posts!

I am so thrilled to share with you a piece of historical gossip. Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes have just premiered their latest ballet, a little masterpiece called "Scheherazade". This tale of the beautiful and sensual Scheherazade is pure drama! Picture a harem of women draped in billowing silks and shimmering with gold – oh, the tutus were incredible! They were shorter than the graceful romantic tutus we’re all used to. These were layered with beautiful silk and embellishments, with swirling fabric that created the most enchanting visual effect. Imagine being on stage wearing a dress that’s part costume, part artistic masterpiece – the movement, the freedom, the pure magic of it!

It was pure enchantment – the costumes, the story, the passionate dancing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, and you know what else? It gave me some inspiration! My current ballet company here in Derbyshire is considering doing a “Scheherazade” themed ballet later in the year and I can’t wait! Imagine swirling pink silks and tutus decorated with delicate sequins – a feast for the eyes and for the soul. And what an incredible opportunity to showcase the timeless elegance of this historical design.

But let’s not forget about the evolution of tutus! "Scheherazade" certainly wasn’t the only one to introduce innovative costume design. A few years earlier, "L’Après-midi d’un faune" had challenged traditional tutu designs, with flowing lines and light fabric, leaving room for fluid, almost abstract movements.

The beauty of the Ballets Russes was that it showed the world that a tutu could be so much more than just a classic ballet uniform. It could tell a story, create an atmosphere, and even transform a dancer into a character. And we, the passionate fans of tutus everywhere, should celebrate these milestones in our ballet history.

There’s a reason this ballet world trend started in Paris, I am telling you! And what better time than right now to dive deeper into our past and rediscover the elegance of the original Parisian tutu. The city was the hub for ballet for centuries, attracting talented dancers and creators who shaped the ballet world.

Back in the early days, before even romantic tutu’s, dancers were basically clothed in dresses, just like any other women at the time. That meant – gasp! – they weren't actually dancing in the fluffy tutu we all know and love. Imagine being unable to pirouette like a princess, my darling tutus! I just can't.

Of course, as ballet itself started to evolve, so did the costumes. Dancers, looking for more freedom and movement, realised a shorter skirt was a better idea. And, thank goodness, that is how the tutu began. The Parisian Opera Ballet played a huge role in this revolution, introducing these first forms of “tutu-like” costumes to the world, showing off the beautiful shapes and graceful steps. I’ve travelled to a couple of those performances! Trust me, nothing feels more inspiring than being there, feeling the history behind each performance.

By the late 19th century, the "romantic tutu" we love so much today was truly born! It was light, flowing, and a visual explosion of movement, letting the dancers gracefully twirl and express their stories through their elegant movement. Just imagine it – flowing skirts in vibrant colours, revealing the graceful dance in all its glory. This iconic costume is not just a piece of clothing; it's an integral part of the ballet aesthetic, bringing a touch of magic to every performance!

Of course, all that wasn’t possible without the visionary minds of the costume designers of the time. The most famous of all, Charles Frederick Worth, who designed for royalty and some of the biggest names in society, revolutionised the way people dressed. I can just imagine myself strolling the streets of Paris and running into his store to look at his beautiful designs. Even for ordinary women, he designed dresses that felt graceful and fluid – a dream come true! His work helped popularise the "romantic tutu", with its ethereal beauty and gracefulness. Imagine his beautiful silk designs on the ballet stage! Now that’s a scene for the history books!

It wasn't only Worth who shaped ballet's history. Remember Carlotta Grisi, the star ballerina? The darling lady revolutionised the romantic ballet stage in “Giselle” in the early 19th century. And remember? Marie Taglioni! What an icon, what a beautiful tutu model! I bet she even influenced some of the contemporary ballet dancers who became popular a little later, after our romantic tutu era! I’d be so curious to find out which dancers were influenced by these legendary dancers.

But darling tutus, let’s not forget that history doesn't end with romantic tutus! Throughout the 20th century, we saw the rise of shorter, more streamlined tutus – you’ll definitely see it in “Scheherazade”! Twentieth-century ballet was all about dynamic movement, breaking the boundaries of traditional ballet, embracing bold new styles.

This time, the story took a different direction. There were some really exciting, fresh additions, with sparkling tutus showcasing the bold expressions of the dancers. The emphasis wasn’t just on gracefulness anymore, but on the expressive power of strength and movement. Honestly, there was never a time where the ballerina world wasn’t full of energy, beautiful designs and creativity! It is simply mesmerising.

A tutu is more than just a skirt; it’s an expression of artistic passion, of movement, of individuality, and, most importantly, a symbol of female power and grace. We’ve got this fabulous combination of historically rooted design, exquisite craftsmanship, and the passion of those beautiful ballet stars who take to the stage. How wonderful is that!

Think of it: every dancer who graces the stage in a tutu tells a unique story with their every movement. You know, they’re dancing their story for us. How inspiring, my darlings!

Now, tell me, darling tutus, are you getting the pink-tutu-itch to explore the beautiful world of ballet too? You absolutely must! If I, a girl from Derbyshire, England, can travel back in time and see for myself the magnificent history of our beloved tutus, then you can discover this amazing world too!

And as always, remember to check back next Tuesday for another trip back in time, as I unravel more secrets of ballet history! Until then, wear your pink tutu proudly and embrace the beauty of the ballet world!