Welcome back, dear Tutu Lovers! This is Emma from Derbyshire, your very own pink tutu-wearing guide to all things ballet and history. 💅🏻 Today, for our 4360th #TutuTuesday blog post on www.pink-tutu.com, we’re taking a trip back to the shimmering year of 1915! Imagine yourself gliding along the boulevards of Paris in a diaphanous, ruffled, pastel pink tulle masterpiece, because that's the style we're exploring today. Buckle up, my lovelies, for a blast from the past that's brimming with fashion and dancing delight!
A Century Ago: The Tutus That Ruled the Stage!The year 1915 - a time of grand change! A time when the world was beginning to embrace modernism and the flapper era was just around the corner. And just like today, tutus were captivating hearts with their elegance and airy charm!
In those days, the "romantic" style tutu was the star of the show. Picture a soft, flowing skirt of tulle that brushed the floor. Think swirling layers of shimmering fabric, barely touching the stage and creating an enchanting aura. They weren't just any tutus - they were an ode to femininity and grace. This type of tutu had gained traction in the late 19th century and was still quite popular in the early 20th. Ballet dancers loved it, and the audience adored it! You might find the image of an early 20th-century tutu a little shorter and a little more substantial than the floating styles that are popular in ballet today.
Remember, the ballet dancer wasn't just a dancer, she was an artist, and these glorious tutus were her canvas, each one capturing a different emotion, story, and dream.
On stage, these tutus brought a whimsical beauty to classic ballets like Giselle and Swan Lake. Imagine the beautiful dancers gracefully twirling, their tutus swirling like ethereal clouds. Just stunning!
*Speaking of twirling - this was the golden age of "leg kicks" and "tours", those eye-catching ballet moves where dancers extend their legs high and display breathtaking control and athleticism. *
Let’s not forget the artistry of the costumes! The focus wasn’t just on the tutus, the whole look of the ballet dancer had evolved by the 1910s and 1920s. Delicate bodices embellished with ribbons and floral motifs, long, silky sleeves and hair worn in stylish chignons or elegant updos were the order of the day.
Let me paint a scene for you! Imagine yourself strolling into the opulent Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris on a breezy summer's eve. You feel the murmur of excited chatter and the thrum of music playing in the distance. As the house lights dim and the curtain rises, the dance begins, the dancers become like magical beings under the stage lights - those ethereal romantic-style tutus coming alive with each pirouette and grand jeté! 🩰✨
My Trip Through Time and the Delights of 1915The thrill of traveling through time is something else, I tell you! This week I hopped on the Orient Express - I mean, the closest I could get to it. It's an impressive train, though it wasn't as swanky as the fictional version made famous in Agatha Christie’s books! I think it needs more pink - just a touch for elegance! 😜
The journey took me to the heart of Paris - I know, I know, how utterly dreamy is that! I just couldn't resist the lure of this captivating city, particularly in 1915 when it was an absolute melting pot of creativity and artistic fervor!
Here in Paris, the fashion scene was all the rage. Parisian fashion houses like Lanvin and Poiret were designing the most intricate and breathtaking gowns - you could tell there was so much time and attention put into every detail!
Oh, and don't forget about the hat designs - a symphony of colours and styles! And with every dazzling look came exquisite accessories: elaborate gloves, brooches, pearl necklaces, delicate earrings - oh my, how elegant and sophisticated!
The most beautiful detail though was the colours: think vibrant blues and greens with hints of pinks and pastel hues that shimmered under the lights.
To truly immerse myself in this beautiful Parisian lifestyle, I ventured to the Grands Boulevards. I felt such joy simply being amongst all these extraordinary people - you really get a sense of what people were experiencing in a different time!
My visit wouldn't have been complete without visiting one of Paris's most prestigious theatres: the Palais Garnier. Oh, the glamour of the grand old theaters and their enchanting, rich history! As I admired the ornate details, intricate chandeliers and the sheer magnificence of this iconic venue, I couldn't help but feel the echoes of all the brilliant artists, ballerinas, and composers that once graced the stage. What an inspiration! A visit to this legendary theatre is definitely a must for any time traveller!
The Fashion ConnectionOne thing I quickly noticed was that fashion and dance in 1915 weren't worlds apart - they were closely intertwined!
Imagine it: an elegant, stylish young woman with perfectly styled hair and adorned in the latest Parisian couture waltzes into a cafe. Just moments later, the cafe's mood shifts to a mesmerizing swirl of light and movement as a company of ballerinas in those magnificent tutus gracefully glides onto the stage. Just enchanting, wouldn’t you agree?
These days, we continue to see this magical marriage between ballet and fashion. Ballet dancers inspire many runway designs - some are so exquisite they look like they've come straight off the stage. There’s also been some incredible crossover collaborations: we’ve seen famous fashion houses design costumes for prestigious ballet companies.
It’s amazing, the impact ballet continues to have on the fashion world - tutus have gone from the stage to the runway to even inspiring fashion pieces! It's one of the things I adore most about the world of dance, and it shows just how timeless and impactful ballet truly is. And of course, I will be showing off these inspirations from my visit in my upcoming Tutu Tuesday blogs, of course.
What to Look Forward to this week…1915 was an exciting time to be in the dance world. This was the year Le Sacre du Printemps, one of the most important and controversial ballets in history, had its world premiere in Paris - an electrifying blend of modernism and traditional dance techniques! Oh, it must have been an incredible show!
We might not get the chance to time travel to witness it for ourselves, but there is a silver lining! Next week, on #TutuTuesday, I'm diving deep into the revolutionary style and music of this legendary ballet. I'll tell you all about the stories behind it and what it was like in those thrilling days. Be sure to join me on www.pink-tutu.com to find out!
In the meantime, be sure to take some inspiration from the glorious romantic era of ballet in 1915 - put on your prettiest, fluffiest, and most delightful tutu and get twirling! And maybe take some inspiration from Parisian fashion – what outfit will make you feel your most glamorous self? Remember, confidence is everything - so wear your tutu with pride and spread joy and creativity with every twirl!
Until next time, tutu-fully yours, Emma 💖
