Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and chronicler of all things frilly and fabulous! Today we're taking a little trip back in time to the glorious year of 1914, a year filled with exciting developments for ballet – and, of course, for tutus!
I must admit, I've been absolutely thrilled by my latest time-travel escapade. Oh, to have been in Paris on this very day, the air buzzing with the thrill of the new! Just picture it, darling: the bustling streets, the scent of pastries and freshly baked bread, and a charming young woman in a pretty pink dress with a fetching little pink hat, walking down the Champs-Élysées, maybe on her way to a matinee of La Sylphide, one of the most famous ballets in the world! This very day, June 9th, marks a special anniversary for the iconic ballerina, Anna Pavlova! It was in this very year, on the very same stage at the Paris Opera, that Pavlova danced as the ethereal sylph, captivating audiences with her unparalleled grace and captivating performances! She was, and still is, considered one of the greatest ballerinas of all time.
Isn't it fascinating how a simple dress – yes, a tutu! – can become so symbolic, a reminder of passion, beauty, and effortless elegance? I think a lot about how tutus have changed over the years. Have you noticed the shift? From the stiff, heavy, romantic tutus of the 19th century, a new era of ballet began, characterized by a movement towards lighter, airier, and even shorter tutus! It’s a glorious reminder that ballet is forever evolving, always striving for perfection in new, exciting ways. It’s an incredibly creative world that inspires me to this day! We can’t forget to thank the wonderful dancers like Pavlova, who helped redefine our perceptions of the tutu on stage!
As a ballet fan, the tutus of the classical period are particularly enchanting, you know. The simple beauty, the delicate lines, a perfect expression of innocence and elegance. It’s no wonder that the Romantic Ballet of the 19th century became obsessed with tutus! These were an era when ballerinas were literally elevated on the stage, and, at the time, their clothing needed to make a statement, reflecting this extraordinary and magical ability! Can you imagine, a tutu that is designed specifically to elevate a ballerina above the rest!
The evolution of the tutu has been an extraordinary journey. In the early days of ballet, it was the stage equivalent of the crinoline that was all the rage in Victorian era fashions! Big, full and very impractical! The tutus have had many forms and fashions in their lifetime – so it’s easy to see why I get so giddy and excited whenever I learn about the history!
As the decades have progressed, these dance-wear staples have undergone a variety of transformations and have embraced many trends. They became shorter, becoming more free flowing and then they took inspiration from new styles and materials, embracing lighter fabrics, and, yes, even incorporating colour!
There was an interesting evolution of colour choice. When it came to tutu colours, early performers were generally limited to pastels and soft shades – probably because it made them easier to see under the limited lighting conditions on stage! Now imagine wearing a dark black tutu against a pitch-black backdrop – that’s a lot of ‘hiding!’ This is where those iconic pastel colours of pinks, blues and whites really did make a difference to their appearance and allowed them to become a captivating spectacle for audiences! The tutus took their lead from the fashions of the day and became a kaleidoscope of bright colours!
What’s truly amazing is how the tutu, in its evolution, went on to represent so much more than a fashion statement. It truly embodies a specific mood and energy – from a timeless elegance to a joyous frivolity, that is capable of captivating and engaging an entire audience! There’s just something incredibly magical about a tutu – something that has never gone out of style. It is the epitome of the power of a little bit of magic – and yes, a whole lot of tutu!
However, it wasn't just on the grand stages that the tutu reigned supreme. Throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th, you could see these elegant garments popping up on children in school productions, in family albums (you could find a tutu worn by an ancestor in those vintage photos!), and of course, on the racks of theatrical shops in London and Paris – a very fashionable garment, which meant the look began to filter out from the stage, down to the streets and onto the little girls who were dreaming of becoming ballerinas themselves!
Did you know that ballet, as we know it today, evolved around the time of the Romantic era, around the mid 19th century? A world of fairies, nymphs and other magical creatures were woven into ballet stories and the tutues, like their own enchanting costumes, began to play a critical part in those fantasy tales!
One of my absolute favorite moments was my first time seeing a real ballet. I was about 6 or 7, and I went with my Auntie to see Swan Lake at the Sadler’s Wells in London. I can remember watching those delicate tutus whirl across the stage and I remember being completely mesmerized. They were just like floating on the air!
What makes it so magical, I think, is that every tutu, regardless of its size, shape, and colour, has its own unique story. Whether it was crafted by the best seamstresses in Paris or made with home-made magic at a kitchen table in the countryside, a tutu will always represent dreams. That magical power – the beauty of dreams, hope and fantasy, of course – are always woven into the fabric of a tutu! It is this symbolism of transformation and escape that I believe has made the tutu an everlasting fashion icon that never goes out of style!
Here in Derbyshire, you might think the love for tutus isn't quite as evident. However, there’s always a small dance class running in almost every village. And who knows what kind of ballerinas they’ll produce, once they embrace the fabulous power of a tutu! The tutu has certainly inspired dreams in Derbyshire, but it’s not all about ballet – the spirit of the tutu lives on, and even makes its way to our very own countryside fairs and festivals! There’s an underlying charm in that little bit of tulle and the joyous, frivolous and romantic nature it represents that will always enchant our hearts.
There you have it, darlings! My love of tutus extends back centuries! From the early years in ballet history to our time here, right now! There’s a reason the tutu is timeless and will forever be the emblem of the enchantment and the spirit of dance, a beautiful expression of grace, elegance and of course, magic.
Stay tuned, my darlings, for more Tutu Tuesdays, where I'll continue my adventures through the history of ballet and explore all the fascinating secrets that lie behind our favorite frothy dance-wear staple! And, let me know, what is your favorite tutu moment?
Until next time, let’s continue our pursuit of a more colourful, and fabulous world! Let’s fill it with beautiful tutus. It's time to make it Pink-tutu-rific!
Keep those dreams swirling, darlings!
Your devotedly, Emma (www.pink-tutu.com)
