#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1911-05-09

Hello, my lovely pink-tutu-loving friends! 🩰 It's Emma here, your resident time-traveling tutu enthusiast, and today we're whisking ourselves back to May 9th, 1911, for another captivating journey through ballet history.

Buckle up, my dears, because we're about to travel from the vibrant streets of London, where the aroma of afternoon tea lingers and fashionable ladies parade in their latest creations, to the hallowed halls of the Royal Opera House, where the world of ballet dances with breathtaking grace and artistry.

Now, picture this: the year is 1911. The world is buzzing with new ideas, innovation, and a passion for the finer things in life.

Here in London, we're lucky to be right at the heart of it all. The city's buzzing with creativity, with art, and with an unmistakable flair for the theatrical. Imagine, for example, that charming little play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest', opening at the St James's Theatre only a year prior. Such witty, well-dressed characters - a delightful scene, indeed!

*And ballet, my dears, ballet was certainly not to be outdone. It's a thrilling time to be a ballet enthusiast, let me tell you. *

We're smack-dab in the era of Anna Pavlova, that ethereal Russian dancer, whose breathtaking performances in Giselle are sending everyone into raptures. There's a lightness and fluidity to her movement that simply takes your breath away! She's considered one of the greatest ballerinas of all time - and no wonder.

And speaking of artistry and skill, can you imagine the intricate details of those costumes?

We're seeing an era where tutus have become a focal point of stage design. They're no longer just utilitarian garments – they're works of art in their own right! And you know me, I'm all about that artistry, all about expressing your individuality with the power of a fabulous tutu.

But now, my lovelies, let’s delve a bit deeper into the fashion of 1911. This was an era of the glamorous Gibson Girl silhouette, all s-shaped curves and elaborate hats. These ladies loved their beautiful long skirts, lace bodices, and delicate floral patterns - perfect for twirling around a dance floor, don't you think?

Of course, with these elaborate outfits came a whole new world of undergarments – a delicate network of corsets, crinolines, and petticoats that gave women a stunning shape, all with an air of sophistication. It’s enough to make you want to waltz right into the pages of a historical romance novel!

Let's imagine a typical afternoon, and think about where we might be. You can imagine, as I do, the elegant setting of a drawing-room, ladies dressed in exquisite gowns, gathered for an afternoon of tea and polite conversation. You can hear the soft clink of porcelain cups, and the elegant murmuring of voices - maybe they're discussing the latest play at the Savoy Theatre, or an art exhibition at the Royal Academy. It's all about culture and refinement.

But hold on to your tiaras, my dears, because the biggest talk of the town just might be... a new ballet at the Royal Opera House. Can you picture the anticipation as we gather in our best frocks, ready to experience the magic of dance?

The anticipation hangs in the air, so electric you could almost taste it. We’re not just attending a performance – we're about to be swept away by a spectacle of pure artistic brilliance!

When the curtains rise, our eyes are met with an explosion of colour, beauty, and raw emotion. The graceful dancers twirl across the stage, their movements echoing the romantic, often tragic, narratives of these ballets. You’ll see an entire world unfold before your very eyes - the passion, the heartache, the joy. And at the centre of it all, those beautiful, flowing, tutus - what a spectacle!

The theatre is abuzz, everyone lost in the spectacle. They are swept away, not only by the exquisite artistry of the dancers but also by the elaborate costumes, and the stage designs, each meticulously crafted to complete the breathtaking ensemble of this grand performance. The lights sparkle and glisten across the dancers’ costumes, the vibrant colors dance in the spotlight - we're simply living a ballet dream!

We’re captivated.

It's a time for beautiful performances, for stories of love and loss, of joy and despair, all told through the movement of these graceful artists, on that enchanting stage.

Fast forward to today. We've moved on to new designs, to new trends, to new interpretations of the graceful elegance that is ballet.

Yet, at its heart, it's all about the captivating stories that ballet can tell.

Tutus haven’t disappeared. In fact, they are ever evolving! There are those delicate romantic tutus, perfect for a magical fairytale. But we also have those stunning, bold contemporary pieces - often layered, full of flowing fabric that speaks to an ever-evolving form of art and expression.

Yes, ballet still takes our breath away - whether we are attending the opera house or a delightful dance studio tucked away on a cobblestone street. And you know me, I love those cobblestone streets – I've spent countless hours discovering hidden gems tucked away in all the little places around the world. Shopping in Paris, catching a street performance in Milan, exploring London – oh, there are so many treasures to be found, even on those off-the-beaten-path adventures. It’s about discovering the art of dance and its infinite potential – in its history, and its future!

So my darling dears, what can we say? Tutus, of course, will forever remain the essence of ballet! They are a celebration of artistry, a beautiful embodiment of femininity, and a perfect excuse for some magical twirling, right here in your own home, or even at a fabulous ballet class!

Until next week, let's all get out there, be fearless, and enjoy the power of a well-chosen, pink, tutu!