Hello my fellow tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things tutus, where the pinkest dreams come true! Today's #TutuTuesday takes us on a whirlwind trip back in time to a fascinating era: the early 1900s, where tutus were starting to become a regular sight in the world of ballet! Buckle up, darlings, because it's time to put on our best tutus and journey to July 30th, 1912!
My, my, how much things have changed since the 1910s! It wasn't too long ago that the idea of a tutu was more of a novelty – just imagine, ballet wasn’t even a mainstream affair! Imagine, a world without all those gorgeous tutu designs that take your breath away. Oh, what a tragedy it would be!
But fret not, my lovelies, the tutu's future was looking bright in 1912. You see, around this time, ballerinas started breaking free from their more cumbersome, restrictive skirts. Think of it like this: It's like we were emerging from a cocoon, beautiful and poised, ready to show the world our wings, and that world happened to be the stage, where they could gracefully dance the day away in tutus!
But hold on to your feather boas, darling – let's go deeper into this exciting period! As always, let's start with what was going on on July 30th, 1912. This was a date full of wonderful things happening: in France, at the "Folies Bergère" a brand new cabaret show called the "Revue of Paris" premiered – that's exciting! And remember, my lovelies, the cabaret world is very much tied to the tutus. I would imagine feathers, sequined skirts and gorgeous dance sequences were everywhere, leaving the audience speechless. After all, that's what tutus do! They have a certain je ne sais quoi - a unique and magical quality, wouldn’t you agree? I just love those sparkling stage moments when the lights go down, the curtain rises and all you see is the mesmerizing grace of ballerinas whirling about in their stunning tutus! I could watch it all day!
In London, we had the "Moulin Rouge" kicking up a storm – a dance-a-thon that went for twenty-four hours. You know that was filled with exciting tutus and beautiful costumes, and oh my, the glamorous sequins! That would have been something, wouldn’t it? You just had to see the excitement and flair for that day! I mean, could you imagine getting to go to a twenty-four hour dance-a-thon?!
Now, back in Derbyshire, England – home sweet home – life was moving at a rather calmer pace on that date. Of course, we were probably attending one of the grand London productions like those being showcased in "The Mirror," or we might have been attending a beautiful performance at the "Royal Opera House." It wasn’t too far to hop on a train for an afternoon of ballet. Isn't that a fabulous treat? We Derbyshire ladies do love our ballet!
The 1910s was truly a significant time in fashion history – especially when it came to ballet, my lovelies! This was the beginning of the “Art Deco” period - imagine geometric designs and sleek lines taking center stage! Think geometric patterns on tutus – it just screams, ‘I’m bold, I'm beautiful, I'm me!"
Tutus began to gain momentum around this time because the ballet dancers wanted more freedom, and freedom they got! And let’s not forget about that incredible sense of femininity. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good, flamboyant, sequined outfit – it's truly delightful – but that delicate, floaty, tutu with a touch of lace was all the rage, just think how divine the elegance of it was! We simply had to have it!
Now, you can’t talk about the 1910s without talking about “Sergei Diaghilev." He was the impressario – the kingpin – of the “Ballets Russes." This was a revolution, a tidal wave of ballet that literally swept the globe, taking tutu-mania with it on its grand tour. It’s incredible what he accomplished for dance – and for tutus – he truly revolutionized what tutus could be. That, my darling, is a story for another #TutuTuesday. You’ve got to watch out for it because it’s a grand and wonderful story, a tale that will make your tutus fly high. We’ll go back to the glorious 1910s, and tell tales of ballerinas who put on dazzling displays of grace and creativity – it’s one for the ages.
Oh, but I’m just so eager to talk about tutus, because really they’re an incredible invention – don’t you agree, lovelies? Let’s be honest – I’m always looking at them for inspiration and ideas! So what are the current tutu trends on my radar, you might be wondering? Right now, my favorites are tutus that show a real sense of design. Just think, all that fabulous movement and expression with tutus has paved the way for some truly unique creations from a tutu that resembles the most beautiful bloom to another with flowing layers of tuile - it's all about imagination and artistry. We just want to bring all the whimsy of imagination into our designs. Who’s with me?! I am dying for the latest tulle, sequins and the perfect ballerina slippers to adorn my beautiful creations! That’s why we need to have our next Tutu Tuesdays here in London, Paris or Milan - so we can get right to the action, the source!
This is where you, my precious tutu enthusiasts, can join in, too! Take out your notepads and let’s have some fun. Let's design the next “perfect" tutu. We’re all about creating our very own "Tutu Dream." Imagine the most exquisite tutus in every color you can imagine. Think lace, feathers, ribbons, and sparkles...oh, the tutus we can dream up together. I bet you'll be designing beautiful tutus and making my dreams a reality - imagine the possibilities. Let’s all put our heads together and create a new trend in tutus because the world needs a good dose of sparkle and beauty, don’t you think?
Until next week, my dears. Don't forget to share your own tutu inspiration in the comments section below! And keep your tutus pink, darlings, because pink is love!
Love,
Emma x
