Hello lovelies! Emma here, back from another fabulous time-traveling adventure and ready to share the wonder of the world of tutus with you.
This week, we're going all the way back to the year 1915, a time of change and revolution in the world, but also a period of exquisite elegance in ballet. Just picture it: women with beautifully coiffed hair, floating through their moves in tulle, lace, and silk, captivating audiences with their artistry. Oh, the beauty!
This week marks a particularly special date in ballet history – June 8th, 1915, the day the first ever ballet competition took place! It was held at the Paris Opera, and was the brainchild of the incredible Sergei Diaghilev, a visionary Russian who truly revolutionised the world of ballet, bringing it to a whole new audience and dazzling them with the artistry of the Ballets Russes.
Sergei, he’s just so dapper, a true gentleman. Imagine, back then, it was a time when ladies' fashion was truly beautiful, with flowing skirts, silk blouses, and delicate embellishments, with everything beautifully structured and feminine. Diaghilev, though, he really brought a new spirit to ballet – it was about movement, freedom, and capturing a sense of drama and emotion, and all without skimping on the glamour!
So picture it: Paris, 1915. You’d step into the Paris Opera and be struck by the atmosphere. The plush velvet seats, the gaslights shimmering on the golden ceiling, and the air thick with the anticipation of what's about to unfold. And then, as the music begins, you see these incredible dancers, their costumes breathtaking, swirling, and jumping – you can’t help but be completely captivated! Diaghilev believed that every aspect of a ballet performance should contribute to the art. And what could be more enchanting than the dancers floating on stage in ethereal tutus? They brought an air of elegance and mystery to the whole spectacle.
Of course, Diaghilev’s work wasn’t without its controversies. Remember, in 1915, many people had rather conservative views. The Ballets Russes challenged those norms – pushing the boundaries of what was considered acceptable, even for a performance art! Diaghilev’s vision wasn't just about classical ballet; it was a tapestry woven from avant-garde ideas, beautiful music, innovative set designs, and stunning costumes, all carefully curated to tell stories through dance. It was daring, it was revolutionary, and, oh my, was it beautiful!
Imagine, dancing in the style of Diaghilev, taking center stage in Paris with a custom designed tutu. I’m so excited about it, I almost can’t contain myself! Just thinking about it, about wearing something so exquisitely designed, made with such intricate detail, it just makes my heart flutter!
I was even fortunate enough to visit the Ballets Russes back in 1914, my second year of ballet classes. It was simply amazing. My dear granny and I, dressed to the nines, we had travelled by train to London from our Derbyshire home. The bustle of the train, the excited chat of other people headed for the theatre – such a joy! Then the ballet itself – simply mesmerising. Imagine the movement! The colour! The dramatic lighting! The tutus just floated across the stage, Diaghilev’s choreography was just simply out of this world! We were completely swept up in the whole experience. And afterwards, we went for a lovely lunch at a delightful little tea shop.
Back in 1915, when I was only 14, I was dancing with a passion – just like now. But as we’re in a different age now, the fashion's changed a bit. So this week’s blog will be dedicated to exploring what kind of tutus the ballet dancers wore at that time!
What a difference from the world of today's tutus! We're so lucky to have a huge variety available to us. We can find tutus in every shape, every colour, even every flavour! But back in 1915, well, there were some definite differences in fashion! It wasn't as readily accessible as today - and for dancers back then, buying a tutu could be a bit of a venture.
A few fun facts!
- Back in the day, a good tutu could easily cost more than a family’s entire weekly groceries! Can you believe it? It's such a contrast to today when we can pick up a delightful little tutu for a tenner!
- There were two main kinds of tutu: The Romantic style tutu which had layers of delicate fabric floating out, the dancers would almost disappear into the swirl of fabric. You could see this type worn in the ballet Giselle, the sheer beauty of that type of costume. But the other type of tutu was a lot shorter. It’s called the Classical tutu, or what you could consider the Bell tutu, as the form, you see, makes the skirt look like the shape of a bell.
- The Classical style tutus really are magnificent. You can picture them beautifully constructed from layers of stiff, but light tulle. And remember, a good tutu must be well-crafted! A perfect, well-designed tutu, with every pleat and fold meticulously placed – now that’s just an absolute masterpiece of craftsmanship.
If I’ve transported you back to 1915 for this blog post – let me know in the comments section! Let’s celebrate TutuTuesday and appreciate these works of art. The fashion history is as delightful as it is beautiful! It shows that tutus really have always been at the heart of ballet!
Until next week lovelies, when we'll delve into yet another tutu journey through time!
P.S. Remember to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and tell me about your favourite tutu-filled time travel adventures! And remember to check out the pink tutus in my shop - all my creations are made with love.
