#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1914-10-13

Hello lovelies! Emma here, back with another peek into the fascinating history of our beloved tutus!

As you all know, I’m a firm believer that life is simply too short to wear anything other than pink. And that’s doubly true when it comes to tutus. Pink and tutus? The perfect pairing, darling! And with #TutuTuesday, we delve into the stories behind those magical, swirling skirts of tulle that have entranced audiences for centuries.

Today, we’re taking a trip back to the year 1914! That's just a mere decade after our iconic tutus became the star of the show, thanks to the genius of the great Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. This groundbreaking company was truly revolutionising ballet! With vibrant colours, exotic designs, and stunning choreography, they breathed fresh life into a whole generation of dancers – and the fashion world went wild.

Can you imagine? Before 1910, we ballerinas were swirling around in rather dull, floor-length skirts, hampered by layers of undergarments! It's hard to pirouette gracefully with a petticoat under a skirt the length of your arm, isn't it? Thankfully, Diaghilev saw the need for a revolution in our wardrobe! And who am I to argue? The shorter, lighter tutus set us free! Think about all the brilliant jumps and leaps we can manage with a bit of extra movement space.

Imagine hopping aboard the train and whisking down to London for a breathtaking show featuring these amazing new designs, perhaps the "Spectre de la Rose", with Nijinsky dancing, or even "Le Sacre du Printemps" which caused a huge controversy at the time - quite an honour! The Paris Opera was thrilled with these creations too, so you couldn’t help but have a tutu or two, even if you just admired them! Oh, to have been part of the movement that redefined ballet's fashion history, and introduced a little bit of pink magic!

I always have a look around for the latest tutus myself, of course! Right now, in London's department stores, it's "The Dancing Hours" that is drawing crowds, the tulle is amazing - with all the intricate layering it really does take the "haute couture" in dancing to another level. The stores have been completely remodelled as a ballet showground, featuring the whole latest fashion story for ladies in dance wear from the world of ballet! It’s pure escapism!

Of course, fashion isn’t always for the stage. The latest, shortest versions of the tutus have infiltrated everyday life as well. Not surprising at all - you’d wear one, it’s comfortable and elegant. But a bit of pink on the tutu always lifts the spirit - after all, this IS the 20th century. And with such beautifully structured dresses that highlight a lady’s grace and elegance, what's not to like!

But that isn’t all - imagine being invited to the first performance of the "Firebird"! It’s just around the corner – 1910 was a truly epic year for ballet. A dazzling visual feast with a vibrant score, "Firebird" set the stage for an era of modern ballet, just as I said, a revolution of colour and expression that has captivated the world ever since.

We're in the middle of such a grand era - the whole world is full of new, exquisite clothes! The department stores are simply enchanting. Even a lady’s hat needs a whole department all of its own. Do you see that lovely lavender toque in the window display? It would look marvelous with my lilac tutu – perfect for a trip to the Royal Opera House! And speaking of tutus, let's not forget the dazzling sparkles of those little swarovski crystals that add a touch of glitz to our dance wear. And you just know how much I love pink and sparkling things! We can't just leave out a tiny pink sparkly tu-tu for little girls! A truly lovely treat!

Now, what is on in our capital city right now? It's 13th October, just three days into a new week and, for ballet enthusiasts, the exciting “Ballet Week” at the London Coliseum! Now there is something worth wearing your most elaborate tutu for! The most exciting ballets from all across Europe have made their way to the capital, so get ready for an enchanting whirlwind of costumes, movement, and unforgettable music! The excitement here in London has gone absolutely ballistic and, I hear it is all going on in Paris too.

My life is a whirlwind of trains and travelling - my friends will laugh - a proper busy ballerina that's me! I'm all for adventure and that means travelling in style - and with that fabulous railway network we are blessed with, the whole of Europe is waiting! And of course, that means shopping for the perfect new pink tutu. This month, it’s the stunning pink taffeta ones from the newly-opened Maison du Tutu! A haven of tulle, colour and magic, they create masterpieces that can truly turn heads. And I’ve just discovered they also make little tutus for all the stylish girls of the new generation. ** I love making them smile with those tutus - they’re the stars of the future!

For today's post, I thought we could take a look at what is on in Derbyshire today! I know you all love to travel, and so do I! So let’s just travel a little closer to my hometown - it’s full of beautiful buildings that have survived for generations, beautiful landscapes, and we’re just around the corner from the Peak District with its breathtaking views - truly a treasure of a county.

Let's travel a little, as you do. The Derbyshire county council’s official dance company, "Dance Derby," has been busy today - they’ve been at The Royal Spa Centre, hosting dance classes from the latest classical and modern routines - so there’s plenty to keep everyone moving! If you haven't already, it’s worth getting those tickets for next month's "Nutcracker" - it's going to be spectacular! Of course, with my passion for pink and tutus, there is one more exciting event on the dance horizon. Don’t miss their “Pink Tutu" event. It's a fantastic opportunity to take a class and learn from the experts. It’s great for dancers of all levels - there’s really no need for excuses. Let those pink tutus fly and feel free to let your heart be full!

For me, it's all about getting out there and inspiring the next generation of ballet dancers! * Because every little girl should have a chance to be a ballerina! * This world needs more colour, grace, and, of course, pink! I just love a good pink tu-tu – they make every dance look elegant, exciting and fun.

I hope you’ve all had a truly magical Tuesday and that you have loved this Tutu Tuesday’s history blog! Now, it’s time to make those dancing shoes a little brighter with a splash of pink tu-tu glamour! Remember to share your thoughts on the website - you know what to do! Happy #TutuTuesday! I’m off to take a dance class now but I promise I’ll see you again next week!

Yours in tutu bliss, Emma

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