Hello darlings! It's Emma, your time-travelling ballerina, back from another delightful adventure. I've been flitting through the past again, this time landing smack-dab in the heart of July 18th, 1911, and you'll never guess what I discovered… the tutus of that era were just divine!
Now, picture this: cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and a sense of wonder about the world that’s just irresistible. You know, that sort of feeling you get when you step into the grand foyer of the Royal Opera House, that thrill before the curtain rises! And just like then, tutus in 1911 were making quite the splash!
As a professional ballerina, it’s amazing how my time travelling pays for itself! Performing for enthusiastic crowds, especially if I have a show in London, means I can always buy more gorgeous pink tulle! I’m planning a new costume for next week’s ballet – you wouldn’t believe what amazing feather boas and crystal sequins are available! My favourite shopping street is London’s Regent Street, of course, and you just cannot miss Bond Street when it comes to fancy footwear for ballerinas like me, you just cannot miss it! A girl’s got to be seen in something special, and shoes, they complete the picture. And let me tell you, it's not just about the shoes or the sparkle – the dancing was phenomenal. You’ve never seen such grace and fluidity until you see the Russian ballet performances. The technique, the story, the breathtaking beauty of the costumes – my heart still skips a beat thinking about it!
You'll see this style of dancing reflected in the fashion too, and just as ballet costumes have moved from romantic lines into more athletic and less decorative attire, so fashion has adopted the simple elegant line for gowns and dress lengths, for blouses and for underwear, too. We've moved away from restrictive corsetry and gone for comfort without sacrificing femininity or elegant beauty, a fine line! The ladies wore gowns that flowed around their forms, just like my tulle. Think delicate chiffons, silk satins, and flowing lace, all the textures I love and colours like pastels and delicate prints that reminded me of soft spring blossom!
What made these 1911 tutus really stand out were their details. The use of layered fabrics, beautiful lace and intricate pleating? They just had this air of dreamy refinement! The fabric swirled so elegantly in every move – a total spectacle. The way they danced with every turn was utterly mesmerising, and you couldn't help but admire the elegance and finesse they brought to the stage!
And now for a bit of history. You see, around this time, the dance world was having a real revolution. The graceful and lyrical Russian ballet, you know the ones I mentioned in my earlier posts, was making waves! It's how the focus on individual movements and storytelling started to change.
The 1910s saw ballet costumes begin their journey into something even more beautiful and expressive. I mean, think about it! You wouldn't see a stiff, floor-length tutu in 1911; it's all about embracing the fluidity of motion, the artistry, the artistry! And that's precisely what the dancers of that era were doing. The skirts of the costumes were shorter (say, gasp, ankle length!) to reveal the grace and agility of the legs. Imagine all those twirls and pirouettes with so much more freedom. Just stunning! It made my little heart swoon when I saw this - how beautiful that they’d decided to use fabrics that made their moves look more dynamic and less encumbered, such an important movement, if you’ll pardon the pun.
Then came the Ballets Russes. Wow, a whirlwind of stunning visual delights. Imagine - dancers in colourful, dramatic costumes, a kaleidoscope of dazzling lights! They transformed the way people viewed dance with vibrant patterns, daring cuts and dramatic movement. It really revolutionised the whole concept of what a dance costume could be. My eyes literally were feasting! And do you know what, even in this fashion forward age, so many costumes still remain timeless.
Speaking of bold fashion choices, it's fascinating to note that this period was all about breaking with the conventions. It was about embracing freedom of expression and using it to push creative boundaries, not just in the arts but fashion and dance too. And it shows through every single detail: the intricate embellishments of lace, the colour, the drama. I absolutely love it and you just can't help but want to try it on yourself, do you?
So here’s a fun activity for all my lovely readers: try finding a local vintage boutique or have a good search around the charity shops - I've had some absolute bargains in there - see what lovely things you can find. A dress with that beautiful 1911 feel - or some fantastic feather boas and jewelry. You never know, you might just end up looking like you’ve walked straight out of one of these amazing shows, or even if it is something a bit less dramatic like a beaded vintage clutch bag – just imagine that with your everyday ensemble.
Until next time, darling. Remember, if you wear pink, you wear pink! Oh, and I have an idea – this weekend we are heading to see a performance by the English National Ballet in London and my darling sister Beatrice is making us both new, pink tulle tutus - you’ve just got to wear pink if you want to embrace a more girly-girl fashion – let’s have some fun in the theatre together – remember to snap and tag #TutuTuesday. It's going to be an unforgettable evening!
