Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing, time-traveling blogger extraordinaire, back with another instalment of #TutuTuesday: Ballet Tutu History! Today we're whizzing back to 28th March 1911, a date that, believe it or not, marked a pivotal moment in tutu history. And yes, darling, even in the Edwardian Era, there was a fabulous world of tutus waiting to be explored!
Before we delve into the glorious 1911 scene, let me give you a quick heads up – this week's #TutuTuesday is extra special because we’re not just reminiscing, we’re experiencing! Yep, I’ve got my time travel boots on and I’m headed straight to Paris, the epicentre of fashion and dance, where a breathtaking new ballet performance will be taking centre stage. Buckle up, my dears!
So, what was happening on this exciting day in 1911? Well, let's step into the glamorous world of the Parisian Opera!
It’s been a whirlwind journey here. First class carriage, darling, champagne for the journey, the whole works! It's been such a delight travelling by train across Europe. I’ve had to pack a special set of outfits just for travelling by train - one for arriving and another for stepping onto the platform - such elegance and formality for such a wondrous trip!
As I arrived in Paris, the energy of this glorious city, the anticipation of the upcoming ballet show - it was palpable. The streets buzzed with fashion, from the latest couture to the dapper gentlemen, the stylish French women with their elegant outfits, and all of them on the way to the opera house to see the unveiling of Le Sacre du Printemps, the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's new composition and choreography. Now, this ballet wasn’t just any ballet, it was set to revolutionise how we view dance and, you guessed it, darlings! it’s the reason we’re stepping into this momentous year of 1911!
The ballet caused quite a stir! I must say it was a bit…avant-garde! It’s full of chaotic and sometimes rather aggressive movements - for a lot of people, this was all new, even controversial - the music itself was not quite like anything they’d ever heard! It truly pushes the boundaries. Imagine – rhythmic repetition as dancers move in a highly stylised manner… think almost robotic-looking motions… a departure from the flowy elegance of ballet we all adore!
Now, darling, you’re thinking - “Emma, we're supposed to be talking about tutus, how does all of this chaotic ballet relate?" Hold on to your boas, my love, because Le Sacre du Printemps isn't just a groundbreaking ballet, it's a milestone for our beloved tutu!
We’ve previously travelled back in time to discuss how ballet evolved over the centuries, where the tutus that adorn ballerinas began as simple, practical outfits that provided more movement and mobility to dance. As time moved forward the tutu continued to evolve as fashion trends and ballet steps advanced, the length of the tutu also evolved.
This modern tutu design – and darling, let me tell you this was truly revolutionary for the tutu - was made with lightweight material to allow the dancers a wider range of movement - in fact, the choreography demands such dynamism! The material, though light, can flow beautifully but, this design allowed a very powerful and dynamic move of legs - the dancers used the flow to accentuate this in their movements! They also kept their hands more outstretched, almost with an almost animalistic energy! They would have danced wearing a type of tunic top or perhaps a vest as this allows even more mobility to carry out these forceful and intense dance steps.
The style is still worn by many ballerinas to this day, so you can see just how significant this moment in tutu history is! I mean, who can resist that gorgeous flowing tulle and the intricate beauty it provides as the ballerinas move, almost becoming one with the movement itself?
The new style of the tutu, as worn in this incredible performance of Le Sacre du Printemps, was all about practicality, highlighting freedom of movement and showcasing each dancer's every stride and expression. And that's the key – freedom! It's about the graceful form taking center stage. I'm sure this is what it’s all about for every single ballerina! And now it has truly become an important part of ballet itself, an important piece of dance history!
This is the moment where the tutu finally truly blossomed from being a simple practical item into being a true work of art - one that reflects both beauty and movement, elegance and dynamism - a perfect blend of artistic expression and incredible technique.
Let’s raise a glass (of champagne, naturally!), to those talented ballerinas and to all of those who came together to create something truly special for the ballet and fashion world! Le Sacre du Printemps has helped create one of the most defining iconic costumes worn in dance history, with this modern tutu and that truly has made quite a big impact on everyone! From ballet shoes to the delicate fabrics - that iconic, delicate, flowing movement… It's sheer perfection. I believe it’s one of the most elegant, stylish garments ever made! What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts below, darling!
That's all for this week, dearies! And don't forget – you too can be a #TutuQueen! Spread the joy of ballet with a little sprinkle of pink tutu magic! And join me next #TutuTuesday where we'll take a trip back to another important year in dance history. I've got some absolutely sparkling insights ready for you, all to ensure that our love for the tutu keeps getting brighter and more sparkly!
*Don’t forget, darling, all the details on this #TutuTuesday can be found on this fabulous website - www.pink-tutu.com – come and browse some more of my exciting, historical posts. I’ve published more than 4135 of them! Don’t forget to pop on over to the comments, tell me what your favourite ballet moments are - tell me your #TutuStories - or perhaps tell me where in the world you think I should head next to discover a new piece of dance history! I look forward to hearing from you! *
