#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1911-07-11

#4150 July 11th, 1911 - A Parisian Stroll with a Pink Tutu

Hello darling dears! Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-traveling ballet fanatic. It’s #TutuTuesday and, as usual, we’re stepping into the history of this magnificent garment! This week, we’re hopping on a steam train (it's surprisingly luxurious!) and heading to Paris.

I have to admit, you've gotta love a bit of Paris, especially when it comes to ballet. The city just seems to shimmer with a theatrical magic. Paris is truly where the tutu found its dancing feet! I’m walking down the Champs-Élysées, feeling that divine Parisian charm, and soaking in all that fashion inspiration! And let’s be honest, Parisian style is always an adventure in pink.

It's July 11th, 1911 and we're in the era of The Ballets Russes! They've brought their exciting choreography and stunning costumes (lots of silk, sequins, and yes, even tutus) to the Parisian stage. It’s absolutely electrifying!

Just picture the scene: the opulent Théâtre Châtelet bathed in candlelight. It's packed to the rafters with elegant ladies in elaborate gowns and their gentlemen in perfectly tailored suits. You've got an air of expectation, a sense of wonder... then the music begins! And bam! It’s an explosion of colour, drama, and twirling dancers.

Let's be honest, those early ballet tutus were far from the graceful, floating skirts we know and adore today! They were a bit more... shall we say, rigid? More like a stiff, heavy shell. Think a really impractical tutu, not a flowing fairytale dream! The 1910s were a time of experimentation, where dancers like Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky were constantly pushing the boundaries of performance and dance costumes. Imagine trying to do a grand jeté in a tutu made of stiff tulle, then imagine trying to execute a double pirouette with your petticoats constricting you at every turn. Honestly, I tip my hat to these daring pioneers! They've made our life in the 21st century tutus so much easier, wouldn't you say?

Today, though, let's step back a little and talk about a piece of ballet history that made my tutu-clad heart skip a beat.

Okay, we’re still at the Théâtre Châtelet. My journey today leads me straight into the world of the Ballets Russes. Founded by the brilliant impresario Serge Diaghilev, the company set out to make a dramatic splash on the Parisian ballet scene, and splash they did! It wasn't just about the breathtaking talent of dancers like Vaslav Nijinsky, Tamara Karsavina, and Olga Spessivtseva. It was the spectacle. The lavish costumes! They literally brought a whole new style of theatrical costume to Europe, influenced by Russian folklore and the colourful world of the fin-de-siècle art scene. It was quite revolutionary!

Diaghilev's team wasn't afraid of breaking the rules, and when it came to costumes they really went all out! They hired artists like Leon Bakst and Alexandre Benois, who literally transformed the way we think about ballet. These weren’t just costumes, darling dears; they were artistic expressions! Each ballet told a story, a whole world, and the costume became the narrative, creating breathtaking visual metaphors that dazzled and enchanted audiences. The sheer quantity of fabrics and intricate designs they used, even the way the performers wore these pieces on stage, it all added up to an incredible, visual feast. A feast that changed the face of ballet forever!

Of course, there were still those traditional paillette tutus that are so beautiful - shiny, sparkling layers of fabric that shimmer with a touch of the stage lights - oh so exquisite!

Imagine a young Anna Pavlova swirling gracefully on the stage in one of Bakst’s spectacular tutus. The shimmering sequins catch the light and sparkle, echoing the story of her character. Or imagine Nijinsky as the Petrushka, the mischievous marionette. These costumes, these dazzling pieces, created their roles and brought each ballet to life in such a captivating way!

Speaking of Anna Pavlova, the grande dame of classical ballet, let’s not forget that she had a serious influence on the evolution of tutu design. The world is absolutely smitten with Pavlova’s elegant movements and her signature style. Her movements were flowing, almost as if she were gliding through the air. That’s the image that most of us have in mind when we talk about classical ballet. It's the graceful, the light, the romantic: that's the ballet tutu.

She popularised the longer, looser tutu that became a trademark of the classical era. No more of those stiff, unyielding layers that the dancers had to navigate with a mixture of grace and determination. Think soft, wispy fabrics and gentle movements.

Think elegant ballerina in a dreamy tulle tutu and a pair of satin slippers - you're starting to see the look, darling dears!

Let's face it, a graceful tulle tutu was not only a technical upgrade, it made a whole lot of fashion sense!

It’s hard not to be drawn into that era's fashion with it’s delicate laces, airy silks and feminine detailing. It just speaks to the romantic in us!

Time for some tutu-inspiration, my darlings! Why don't you dust off your own tutu or buy a brand new one and throw a Parisian tutu party to celebrate our #TutuTuesday time-travel to the Paris of 1911.

What are some other things that could go on your party list?

• Put on a playful French cabaret performance, if you dare!
• Learn the waltz.
• Invite some friends over for some French champagne (but drink responsibly).
• And if you’re in a more adventurous mood, gather the most creative friends you can find for a tutu costume design contest. Remember, inspiration can strike anywhere!

Let’s create a new tutu frenzy for a truly sensational celebration of Parisian dance!

Have a happy #TutuTuesday, you stylish darlings, and don’t forget to share your amazing outfits and thoughts on my site at www.pink-tutu.com. Remember, you never need an excuse to twirl, dance, or embrace your own personal style. I love seeing your gorgeous interpretations of what a tutu can be!

And lastly, my dears, don't forget! When life hands you lemons, add some tulle and make a tutu lemonade!

Bisous, Emma