Post number: 4129
Hello my darling tutu lovers! 🩰💖 It’s Emma here, and you’ve stumbled upon my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, where we delve into the enchanting world of ballet and, of course, tutus!
As you know, I love to hop aboard the time machine (funded, as always, by a series of delightful ballet performances – a girl’s gotta make a living!) and explore the captivating history of the tutu, from its humble beginnings to its fabulous present day.
This week, I’m whisking you away to February 14th, 1911 – can you believe it’s Valentine’s Day? I’ve brought my trusty pink tutu for this adventure, it simply goes with everything. (Remember my blog’s motto? "It’s all about the pink!") 💖
The year is 1911. A time when feathers and frills were all the rage! And where else could I be but in the heart of the ballet world – Paris, darling! This bustling city is simply teeming with the latest fashions and, you guessed it, fabulous tutus. The air itself seems to crackle with excitement for a grand performance by the legendary Ballet Russes. I'm standing by the theatre, feeling the city's vibrant pulse as I soak in the Parisian charm. It's just like the photos from the travel brochures, I am smitten!
Now, you might be wondering: what exactly did those 1911 ballerinas twirl around in? It’s actually a fascinating mix!
The Long Romantic Tutu: A vision of swirling romance.
Imagine billows of silk, cascading down to the floor, a veritable dream of tulle and chiffon. The "long tutu" was the epitome of elegance, and in 1911, it was still very much the reigning queen of the stage. I mean, imagine the graceful flow of these long tutus as ballerinas leaped across the stage! A true testament to femininity and artistry, I'd say. You see these longer romantic tutus now in the romantic repertoire, like "La Bayadère."
The Shortened, But No Less Fabulous, Romantic Tutu: A Touch of Playfulness
We started to see a shorter romantic tutu, darling. While it may have lost some length, it certainly gained a spark of modernity. It is a slightly shorter version of its predecessor but it has more of an almost unintentional playful attitude about it - the fabric would have still flowed out to make a full circle. This was a tutu for a ballerina who wanted to move with a bit more freedom. A little shorter but it still evoked those lovely sweeping shapes when the ballerina pirouetted. And just imagine, this is the early days of modernism – this is the year Vaslav Nijinsky's ballet Le Spectre de la Rose was created with one of the first examples of this shorter Romantic Tutu! It's very elegant, very glamorous!
And talking of Nijinsky! That's another trend you will see in ballet!
The Ballets Russes Influence on Fashion: "Dances from a Fairy Tale"!
You know, everyone talks about "Dances from a Fairy Tale" – but we don't mean ballet shoes. We mean fashion! In 1911, the Ballet Russes revolutionized fashion! Can you believe it, my lovelies? The artistic genius and daring vision of Sergei Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes' founder, shook things up with their incredible use of color, patterns, and fabrics, drawing a direct line from stage to street. I bet even my mama had a Balenciaga outfit! It's no coincidence that designers like Paul Poiret, a big fan of Ballet Russes dancers, was embracing looser, less corseted silhouettes inspired by the free movement and beauty of the tutu on stage.
But the tutu wasn’t the only thing making headlines. It was also the ballet costumes in general. Think exotic shapes, dazzling gemstones, lavish silks and fabrics. Le Spectre de la Rose created a fashion frenzy - I imagine it's how everyone dresses when they go to a royal ball.
I do hope I've inspired you, my darlings, to embrace the world of tutus! Whether it's watching a live ballet performance (you can always catch one on stage in Paris), experimenting with your own fashion, or just letting the grace of ballet inspire your heart and soul, remember: it's all about that pink magic! 💕🩰
That's all from me this #TutuTuesday, don’t forget to join me for another captivating ballet history adventure next week.
Until then, dance on!
Emma 💖
What was happening on February 14, 1911?
For a little history bite, let's turn the clock back to February 14th, 1911. On this day in the United Kingdom, there were plans for a new postal reform – they wanted to charge for postage depending on weight, gasp! Can you believe it, my darlings! And back in Paris, the Palais de l’Opera hosted the Ballet Russes, just like I told you. I wonder if I could slip back in time and see Nijinsky himself!
What was happening in ballet?
I mentioned Ballet Russes and I want you to remember this group as it was one of the most influential dance companies ever!
This ballet company toured the world with their groundbreaking performances! With its flamboyant costumes, dramatic settings, and innovative choreographies, the Ballet Russes was simply electrifying audiences everywhere! The genius of choreographer, Mikhail Fokine, ignited a modern, more emotive dance language, drawing directly from ballet's roots. He choreographed dances for the Ballet Russes, and he and Nijinsky had a legendary partnership that helped push ballet forward! You've just got to see it, it's wonderful!
Nijinsky wasn't the only revolutionary choreographer! Another legend from this time period was, cue the music, Isadora Duncan! She completely rejected the restrictive nature of the classic ballet tutu – you could almost see how her movement pushed dancers and choreographers towards this short "tutu". Duncan believed in expressive movement, freedom, and individuality. It was revolutionary. It challenged ballet, so exciting, so inspiring.
It was an age of ballet brilliance and innovation!
Did you know...
Did you know, darling, that in 1911, a *record number of cars were being sold in America – oh my! Cars were becoming quite popular and chic, it was all the rage. But even back then, everyone would agree - Nothing is quite as beautiful as the movement of a dancer wearing a tutu.
I hope you have enjoyed this trip into the magical world of ballet. Let’s stay connected! Keep your eyes on my blog for our next #TutuTuesday ballet adventure!
See you next week!
Emma 💕
