Welcome back, dears, to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things tutu! Today, we’re whisking ourselves back in time to #TutuTuesday for a little ballet history lesson – specifically, a trip back to Tuesday, 22nd April 1913.
Now, put on your most fabulous pink tutu and grab a cuppa, because we’re about to embark on a whimsical journey!
My, my, how times have changed! It was only last week I was floating around the dazzling world of New York City ballet, and now I’m settling in to the bustling atmosphere of Paris, the true heart of ballet in 1913. Just the air feels infused with music and elegance, like you could accidentally step onto a stage. You might spot me twirling through the Tuileries Gardens with a fluffy pink tutu billowing behind me, like a puff of cotton candy caught in a gentle breeze.
Imagine a Paris where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past, women are resplendent in feathered hats and opulent dresses, and The Ballets Russes, founded by the visionary impresario Sergei Diaghilev, is in town!
And why are we here on the 22nd April, you might ask? Because that's the day, dears, the very day The Ballets Russes stole the hearts of Paris with their dazzling production of Le Sacre du Printemps! Now, imagine this: avant-garde music by Igor Stravinsky that, in some circles, caused upset (imagine, gasp! shocked audiences at the theatre!). This wasn’t your typical ballet by any means. Le Sacre du Printemps, the "Rite of Spring," had a wild, pagan vibe with chaotic movements and almost savage rhythms. It was certainly unlike anything Paris had seen before, but it ignited passions in both the theatre and in the world of fashion, like a spark in a tinderbox!
It was such a shock to everyone's systems - even to this tutu-wearing time-traveller! To see those shock-horror reactions of the Parisian socialites is almost worth a second trip back. Imagine their expressions as they watch this powerful new ballet unfold - it must have been quite the sight!
So, let’s have a little look at the tutus of the time, shall we?
Back in 1913, ballerinas wore very specific, almost rigid styles. Their tutus, known as Romantic tutus, were a sight to behold. They featured very short bodices and full, long skirts, often adorned with tulle and layers upon layers of delicate fabric. Think layers and volume - truly a grand and romantic vision.
They were far cry from the airy, wispy tutus we know and love today, where they tend to be a bit shorter, but these Romantic tutus created the vision of a goddess, of flight and fantasy. The way those tutus flowed like a cloud on the stage? Pure magic, dears! I adore a bit of magic, wouldn't you agree?
It is fascinating how this style of tutu became almost iconic during this era. The opulence and the volume of those Romantic tutus spoke to the Romantic era itself - with a touch of 19th-century drama mixed in for good measure! It was as if the tutu, and indeed, ballet itself, had become synonymous with the beauty and passion of the time. The women of 1913, you know, wanted something different, and the dancers of the Ballets Russes gave it to them with aplomb!
They certainly pushed the boundaries with those striking outfits, which often included extravagant costumes adorned with intricate beading, shimmering fabrics, and vivid colours. They weren't afraid to stand out, those lovely dancers, which certainly inspired me to make a bold statement wherever I go. Remember, darlings, never be afraid to be you, even if that means rocking a hot pink tutu in a room full of little black dresses! I must admit though, those dresses, whilst demure, did have some very interesting beading and necklines, I do have to say!
The influence of the Ballet Russes is still being felt today, I do believe. Even a century later, we can trace those stylistic roots in the beautiful, ethereal, and flowing tutus worn in modern ballets.
You know what, I think the dancers of that era would approve of my fabulous Pink Tutu. I reckon they'd love how I make an everyday event like shopping for clothes into a tutu spectacle to delight everyone. You never know, if I find myself in 1913 again - maybe I'll introduce them to a touch of the modern!
I adore tutus of all shapes, sizes and colours! My favourite shade? Of course, it's pink, isn't it, dears? The color of elegance and happiness, it speaks of beauty, romance, and most importantly, joy. My personal mission? To spread that tutu joy wherever I go!
I simply must finish my story with the fashion - no Tutu Tuesday is complete without it. Those Parisien women! The hats, oh my! The feathers, the veils, and a sea of amazing outfits - just breathtaking! It was like stepping onto a movie set and I am forever grateful for the experience. And there are still traces of their flair to be found on the fashion catwalks today. If I get back in the TARDIS (whispering - no, don't ask!), I just know that those fashions would inspire my very next tutu creation.
See you next Tuesday, darlings, for another #TutuTuesday adventure! Keep twirling and never be afraid to stand out from the crowd! Don't forget, the world is waiting to see you shine!
Love and sparkle,
Emma, The Tutu Queen 💖
