#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1913-12-09

Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, back with another thrilling voyage through the wonderful world of tutus! Today, we're taking a whirl right back to 9th December 1913, a date brimming with excitement in the history of the ballet!

This week, I'm channeling my inner flapper girl, and feeling very vintage, having just arrived in a London that's bursting with a glamorous kind of energy. I've travelled here by train, of course - such a romantic way to arrive!

So, put on your fanciest bloomers (with a sprinkle of glitter, naturally) and join me on this exciting journey, shall we?

Now, 1913 may seem a tad early for "modern", you might be thinking, but let me tell you, it was a year of big change for tutus! Imagine: long, flouncy skirts that trailed behind like elegant clouds. Those days were mostly over, darlings! In 1913, things began to change.

Think lighter, think briefer, think bolder! This is where the tutu began to evolve into the magnificent garments we know and love today.

That year, the Ballets Russes – that phenomenal troupe that swept through the world with their fabulous costumes and amazing dance - arrived in London. This was a momentous occasion! You wouldn’t believe the buzz in the city! Theatres were buzzing, everyone was discussing the latest Diaghilev productions, and I simply had to see what all the fuss was about.

Oh, let me tell you, those Ballets Russes tutus were magnificent. Just the right amount of daring for the time. Shorter, showing those gorgeous legs, but still full of exquisite femininity! It felt so new, yet so thrilling. The entire dance world was simply thrilled by the exciting, new designs! Imagine how liberating it must have felt to move with so much grace, *without the weighty fabric of old hindering you.

And what was being danced in London that very day? A delightful programme at the Coliseum, including a revival of “The Firebird.” Now that's a costume worthy of its own blog post, my dears! Imagine, blazing gold, with feathers as big as you like, and colours so bright they just gleamed. It was such an eye-opener! The entire ballet was truly, deeply captivating.

Oh, the sheer opulence of the theatre too, with all its grand decorations and sparkling lights - truly befitting a ballet such as that one. I almost expected to be served champagne in between acts.

Speaking of glamour, those fabulous new tutus didn’t stay in the theatre, of course! Just imagine the women out and about in their flapper frocks, which took on hints of those new, streamlined, short tutus - think hem lines rising and those daring new dancing shoes becoming everyday shoes! I bet those streets were so lively with the swirling skirts.

I, for one, can't wait to see how this exciting tutu trend goes.

And speaking of excitement, what has you been wearing this week? This week, darling, I have been rocking a dreamy pastel pink tulle tutu with dazzling sequined detail on the skirt and a simple but elegant black bodice. Swoon! Don't you think it just screams femininity, and speaks of vintage elegance?

If you've been wearing pink (or even just thinking about it!) be sure to tag #TutuTuesday and #PinkTutu on your social media! I simply adore seeing all your tutu style.

I simply must tell you about this fantastic store I stumbled upon in the west end - such an amazing collection of vintage fashion, just brimming with inspiration. And imagine, I found this stunning antique silk scarf, in shades of deep purple and softest pink - perfect to complete my vintage look, don’t you think?

Right now, though, I'm on a delicious adventure through the shops - there’s so much wonderful fashion in this city! I’ll have loads to tell you about next week.

Oh, and if you really want to step back in time, go have a listen to the Gramophone records - some real show-stopping ballet musics from that period on those babies!

Catch you all next week!

Yours in tutus and feathers,

Emma

(ps. Don’t forget to drop in to www.pink-tutu.com for more tutu tales and all the latest ballet fashion news!)