Hello my darling Tutu Twirlers! Welcome back to another instalment of my #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History blog! I'm Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina blogger, straight from the streets of Derbyshire, England and always sporting the most fabulous pink tutu! It's a bit nippy today, so I'm bundled up in my cashmere coat (pink, obviously!) as I type this, but it's all worth it to share another magical piece of tutu history with you!
Today we're heading back to a truly iconic year – 1912! Now, as a fellow fan of all things vintage and fabulous, I know you're just dying to know what tutus looked like back then, so let me whisk you away to the theatres and dance studios of that magnificent era!
This week's post is extra special, folks, because on December 31st, 1912, the world's first ever ballet school dedicated entirely to children was opened in London! Now imagine that – little dancers, tiny tutus, tiny toes! How absolutely delightful! It really shows how ballet was gaining traction in the lives of so many. Such a fantastic day to celebrate, even if we are a little delayed with this post, due to a detour through the Parisian ateliers. You wouldn't believe the incredible designs I discovered, and it would be a shame to deprive you of them!
The Glamour of 1912
Let's dive back to the glamorous streets of 1912. Think long flowing skirts, beautiful bonnets, and men in dapper suits. Now picture these lovely ladies entering a theatre for the evening and their eyes falling upon a breathtaking performance by some of the most talented ballerinas. You see, tutus of this period were really starting to capture the hearts (and imaginations) of everyone.
Imagine, my dears, the ethereal grace of these early tutus. Not quite as flamboyant and frilly as our modern day styles, no. Think long, fluid lines, layers of shimmering silk and chiffon, and delicate decorations. They weren't meant to be gigantic poofs, mind you! It's like looking at a whisper of a cloud, a soft puff of ballerina magic! And those dancers, my oh my, were captivating! Imagine swirling through a symphony of colours in graceful steps and stunning choreography – that is the ballet we're aiming for today. And trust me, it was truly a magical spectacle.
Now, while we’re on the topic of colour, 1912 brought a stunning trend: pastel tones. So much pink! Think soft peaches, delicate creams, and heavenly lilacs, with a dash of ivory thrown in. They brought out such a vibrant glow, adding elegance to an already breathtaking scene. And who doesn’t love a bit of elegance in a tutu?
The Ballet Bonanza: A Year of Change
Oh, what a glorious year 1912 was for ballet! As well as the opening of the children’s school, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes – now you must know this company – they truly revolutionised ballet! – took London by storm with the world-famous The Rite of Spring and it caused a stir that we're still talking about today! Now I, personally, would have loved to see it. Just imagine that show – the energy, the movement, the colours! Just like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker – it’s the kind of timeless ballet you'll never get bored of. It makes me yearn for another train ride! And of course, such beautiful performances demanded just as stunning tutus.
One key moment in ballet history happened that year too! The iconic, impossibly gorgeous, Anna Pavlova – ah, a true inspiration – decided to grace America with her presence for her first-ever tour. That’s not just a tour, dear readers, it’s a whole era! The tutus that followed on the stage were exquisite, but you know I'm going to say pink was my favourite – that ballerina certainly knows how to do colour! To get tickets for the show, there were lines stretching out of every theater, and I can’t imagine that hasn’t inspired young dancers today.
The Heart of a Tutu: Beyond the Stage
You see, darling tutu-lovers, 1912 wasn’t just a time for amazing ballets – it was a time when tutus themselves were taking a starring role. Imagine this – it wasn't unusual for people to wear tutus outside the theatre! I'm talking about parties, fancy dress balls, even in parks! How utterly fabulous is that?! The image of little girls spinning around in their own versions of ballerina fluff – such joy, such enchantment! Just seeing it gives me a wonderful feeling. I believe we've lost a little of that enchantment over the years. It is something that I believe, and we shall endeavour, to change.
Back to the Future – A Tutu-fied World!
And as we wrap up our trip to 1912, a simple wish: I'm on a mission to bring back that tutu spirit! I believe everyone should feel the joy and confidence that a good twirl in a tutu can bring!
So let’s carry a little bit of that 1912 magic with us, my lovelies! Grab a tulle fabric, unleash your inner ballerina, and let's spread some tutus like confetti on the world. I'm going to try and track down some vintage tulle in a colour that just screams 'pink 1912'. What would you like to see? Maybe a pink Victorian tutu!
Until next week, remember, a tutu is never just a garment; it's a statement, an inspiration, and a little touch of magic!
See you next #TutuTuesday on www.pink-tutu.com!
Emma, your Tutu Time Traveller!
