Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday journey through history! Today we're waltzing back to 27th August 1912, a date that holds a special place in the history of the tutu – or as we like to call it, a fairytale of a garment!
Oh, my lovelies! To imagine a world without tutus is truly shocking! Can you picture a world where the elegance of a dancer's every pirouette wasn't accentuated by a billowing, floaty cloud of tulle? I can’t even!
Now, where was I? Ah yes, 1912! The year was abuzz with whispers of the latest in dance, fashion and, of course, tutus! Imagine me, all pink tutu and sunshine smile, stepping onto the bustling streets of, say, Paris, a city of dreams, and the most captivating place for all things tutu-tastic! The air would be filled with the sounds of horse-drawn carriages, gentle whispers about the latest theatrical performances, and perhaps even the melody of a street accordion serenading the lovely ladies (and maybe even a few dapper gentlemen!)
But, my loves, what would I, a modern tutu aficionado, have seen back then?
Tutus in the Time of "The Nutcracker"
1912! This is a crucial date in the world of tutus, you see! You may have heard of “The Nutcracker”, the ballet that’s basically ballet royalty – the Shakespeare of dance, if you will! Well, in this year, the legendary Russian Imperial Ballet performed it at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg – now THAT is how you do a show, darlings! Just imagine the splendour, the dramatic lighting, the grand, majestic stage! It's what dreams are made of, and in this glorious setting, tutus played a major role!
But the real excitement came a few years later, in 1918, when a very talented choreographer named Mikhail Fokine had an amazing idea! He transformed the whole way tutus were designed. Previously, they had been very full, a true mountain of fabric that made every step a struggle. But Mr. Fokine had a revelation – he redesigned tutus to be shorter and more airy! This completely changed the look of ballet! Suddenly, dancers could move with more freedom and grace. And can you imagine, the stage was no longer dominated by an enormous skirt! Now that was a revolution in fashion!
This "revolution" of the tutu was just the beginning of our story. Ballet tutus would continue to evolve, transforming themselves into something fantastic. Imagine, tutus could be long or short, tight or flowy, decorated with sparkling sequins or simply elegant and refined in simple gauze! The possibilities were endless.
The "Tutu-ful" Glamour of the Early 20th Century
The 1910s were a time of incredible transformation for women's fashion - they weren't wearing the constricting corsets of their mothers, but embracing a new sense of freedom in comfortable, flowing styles inspired by the new world of dance. You see, ballet, like all of the performing arts, played a crucial role in influencing fashion. Think about the glamorous flapper dresses of the 1920s. *Do you think they could have been so popular without the impact of ballet? Absolutely not!
The Victorian era, where skirts and ruffles were massive! They needed to be big to create that "fairy tale" feeling, but it did leave those poor, delicate dancers feeling overwhelmed! They’d need to have the strength of a mighty titan to lift their feet from the floor! It's amazing how, over time, designers began to embrace simplicity in the tutu design, making it not only elegant, but comfortable, allowing the beauty of the dance to take center stage, rather than the overwhelming quantity of fabric.
Shopping for Tutues in 1912?
My dear, even in 1912, there were plenty of places to find your perfect tutu! While online shopping was still just a twinkle in inventors’ eyes, shops all over Europe, especially in the heart of Paris, swarmed with beautiful tutus – from the delicate white tulle tutus worn by real ballerinas, to the whimsical pink tutu that my heart dreams about.
If I could jump back in time to 1912, I would immediately be dashing off to browse in one of Paris’ charming boutiques, where they surely displayed elegant tutus for the fashionable Parisian jeunes filles! I’d also head down to London, where a well-stocked shop in London's theatre district would be filled with delightful dancing attire, ready for an evening at the grandest ballet shows in the West End!
And don’t you dare think for a moment that only ballerinas and stage actresses donned the magical tutu in those times! Every little girl had their dream of dancing, twirling, and feeling utterly enchanting! A ballerina's elegance inspired a sense of playfulness and whimsical delight in all girls – even if they didn't spend their time in a ballet studio!
A Timeless Tale of the Tutu
Oh, my lovely ladies, the story of the tutu doesn't end in 1912. The amazing evolution of the tutu would continue and would take on new, fabulous forms! But what makes this tale truly magical? It's not just about fashion; it’s about the beauty of movement and expression that's always been the heart of ballet!
Each Tuesday, I'll guide you through this beautiful and exciting tale, taking you through the wonderful history of tutus – from the first humble ballet costumes to the spectacular and diverse designs we enjoy today.
Until then, my darlings, don’t be afraid to twirl and dance your way through life, letting your inner fairy tale shine!
Now go forth and rock those pink tutus! 🌸
Lots of love, Emma
PS – Are you loving these Tutu Tuesday posts? Let me know which eras you’d like to learn more about – or even which city! Your suggestions fuel my time travel adventures, darling! 💕
