Hello lovelies! It’s Emma here, back again with another Tutu Tuesday post – this time we’re taking a journey through the history of ballet tutus to November 3rd, 1914.
This is post number 4323 for my Ballet Tutu History blog, so do feel free to browse through the archives – there’s a world of tutus to be explored! My goal, you see, is to spread the joy of the tutu – and, to be honest, convince the whole world to wear them (a girl can dream, can’t she?).
Pink Power & Tutu Time Travel
Now, you might be wondering how I manage to travel through time to unearth all these fabulous tutu stories? Well, you see, I’ve got a little secret: I’m a ballerina! The dance itself grants me these little time travel adventures. Just a quick twirl in the right direction and, whoosh, I’m back in history, and you can be sure I’m always on the lookout for some delightful tutus along the way!
Where are we? A Tour de Paris
This week I'm in Paris, the heart of the world's dance, and, in 1914, tutus were blooming in a new era!
Imagine the Paris of this era – grand cafes filled with laughter and cigarette smoke, carriages bustling through cobblestone streets, and the elegant rustle of silk gowns sweeping past. The air itself seems to vibrate with music and romance.
1914: A Tutu on the Eve of Change
It’s a fascinating time in ballet history. The tutus of the time still held that romantic, classical beauty we all adore, but the stage was already set for the bold, modern dance revolution that would come.
For this era’s dancers, their costumes were the tools of their artistic expression. The lightness, the flow, the way they caught the stage lights – each movement was choreographed in a ballet, from the swirling tutu to the ballerina’s fingertips.
And let me tell you, Paris was THE place to be. The iconic Opera House (we must all go someday!), with its extravagant decor and breathtaking acoustics – it was a setting worthy of tutus of any age!
A Look at 1914 Styles:
- The Romantic Legacy: Tutues at this time still carried the charm of the earlier romantic period. Soft, gauzy fabrics, and swirling layers – it was a period that evoked pure ethereal grace. But they weren't afraid of color either! Think lush reds, sapphires that shimmered, and soft lilacs – almost like walking into a blooming flower garden!
- A Move Towards Modernism: But change was in the air! 1914 marked the time of the avant-garde. Artists like Picasso and the beginnings of the surrealists were beginning to shift the artistic landscape. I’m starting to see hints of that in the ballet as well - there was a subtle move towards more abstract lines in some of the choreographies. It wouldn't be long before we'd see tutus that broke away from the traditional shapes, perhaps using bold colors or asymmetrical cuts – the revolution was brewing!
- Parisian Chic & Beyond: The dancers on stage were part of a fashion movement, but Parisian women, in general, loved their flair for the feminine and embraced a touch of tutu magic themselves. I saw silk tutus – and even satin – being used in ball gowns and the most chic outfits of the era! This gave rise to a little tutu fever even beyond the ballet world. And how much do I love that?
The Dance On:
Imagine it – November 3rd, 1914! The day may not have been filled with tutu-related happenings in the modern sense, but for ballet history it was significant! We would soon enter into a time when ballet’s tutu creations would move on even further to new expressions. And for me, the dance is just beginning. We all have a bit of that tutu magic in us, we just need to unleash it!
What Will Next Week Bring?
That’s it for this Tutu Tuesday, lovelies! Keep your eye out next week, as I'll be spinning a tutu tale from an even earlier era, full of the elegance and wonder of the past! Be sure to let me know what you think!
Don't forget to follow me on social media and on www.pink-tutu.com. If you've ever considered donning your own tutu for a fun photoshoot, remember to share your beautiful pictures with me using #pinktutu. I would be thrilled to see them!
Until next time,
Emma xx
