Hello my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, your pink-loving, twirling time-traveling ballerina. Today's #TutuTuesday takes us way back, all the way to January 11th, 1916 – a time of glamour, grand balls, and, of course, the stunning silhouette of the belle époque era. Buckle up your ballet shoes, grab a cuppa, and let's take a journey through the enchanting history of the tutu!
From the Courts of Vienna to Parisian Theatres:As we travel back in time, we find ourselves in Vienna, where ballet had a strong hold on the Imperial court. The Vienna State Opera, opened in 1869, was a dazzling display of elaborate costumes, luxurious set design, and thrilling ballets. This is where the first recognizable tutu truly shone – the romantic tutu, a delicate, layered, and wispy creation designed to showcase the ballerina’s elegant lines and graceful movement. It was the epitome of elegance and refinement, just like the women of the time.
Just imagine a beautiful Viennese ballerina dancing in a billowing, white tulle skirt, its soft layers floating as she jumps and pirouettes, catching the shimmering light of the grand chandeliers. Absolutely breathtaking!
However, it wasn’t all about the court. Across the Alps, in Paris, ballet had already taken root in the city’s many theatres. The Opéra Garnier, a majestic architectural masterpiece, housed the Paris Opera Ballet and saw the birth of legendary ballerinas who revolutionized tutu designs and dance techniques.
On the 11th of January, 1916, this incredible institution would be staging a grand performance of "La Sylphide", a captivating ballet choreographed by August Bournonville, featuring a delicate romantic tutu. I’m sure there was plenty of gasps and applause – Paris loved its ballets, and the elegant ladies of society flocked to see every performance!
A Tutu of Many Layers:But let's not forget about the evolution of the tutu. Around this time, a new era of the tutu, known as the classical tutu or the "sock tutu," emerged. This tighter, shorter tutu, featuring a smooth line, began to dominate the Parisian dance scene, marking a change in style from the floaty romantic tutu. It offered a slimmer look and, importantly, gave dancers the freedom to perform faster and more complex turns.
This was the tutu that truly made the Parisian Opéra Ballet famous. Their virtuosic movements were showcased beautifully through this tighter-fitting design, emphasizing athleticism, flexibility, and precision. This, of course, was thanks to brilliant ballerinas like Anna Pavlova, a legend of the time!
What Was Trending:1916 was an exciting year for fashion, my dear tutud-loving readers! A strong silhouette was very popular, and a dramatic look was seen everywhere – especially at the Opera House. Think long, flowing lines and dramatic fabrics! Silhouettes flowed to the ground and emphasised the waistline, creating an incredibly chic and flattering effect.
The flapper style was just starting to appear, influencing fashion with a trend for shorter skirts and lower hemlines. In 1916, a revolutionary short, sleeveless dress emerged, featuring bold prints, frills, and beads, symbolizing the spirit of change and independence for women in the upcoming era.
Just imagine - women with the perfect flapper dresses attending ballet, where they'd catch a glimpse of ballerinas adorned in these revolutionary new "sock tutus", designed to allow movement and freedom, symbolizing a revolution of their own in the world of ballet. It’s such a beautiful snapshot in time!
Dress the Part, Embrace Your Inner Ballerina:So, whether you’re at the opera house, the theatre, or even taking ballet class, don't be afraid to embrace the graceful tutu and show off your inner ballerina. After all, isn’t life about feeling elegant and free, just like a tutu allows us to feel?
So, here’s to all of us embracing our own love for tutus, regardless of what the year may be! Now, go ahead and grab your pink tutu, and don’t forget to practice those pirouettes. Until next week, my tutu-loving friends! Remember, you can join the discussion and post photos of your favourite ballet outfits on www.pink-tutu.com.
Lots of love and happy twirling!
Emma xx
