Greetings, dear Tutu Twirlers! It’s Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing, time-traveling, ballet-obsessed blogger, and I’m absolutely buzzing to take you back to December 12th, 1916, with a special look at the ballet tutu! Now, 1916 may seem like a long time ago, but believe me, tutus were already rocking the stage and stealing the spotlight!
From Derbyshire with Love
Imagine me, your average Derbyshire girl, just a little bit giddy and full of ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s’, boarding the steam train, heading straight to London. London, the city where tutus were turning heads, the place where elegance met artistry in the grand, sweeping halls of the Royal Opera House. I just had to see it for myself, how the world of ballet was evolving!
On this Day in 1916…
So, picture this. The calendar reads December 12th, 1916. The world is in the throes of the Great War, and although everyone is living through difficult times, the magic of ballet remained, offering a moment of pure joy and escape. On this day, I'm at the Covent Garden theatre - that's where the ballet greats of the day were performing! Imagine the shimmering lights, the sound of applause, the elegant dance, the twirling and leaping…it was truly enchanting!
But What about the Tutuu?**
This era in ballet is just before the tutus you might be used to, those airy, weightless ones worn by ballerinas like Anna Pavlova. They’re called "Romantic Tutuu’s" and I’ll be sharing all about them! Now, Romantic Tutuu’s weren’t airy at all. They were much, much, much fuller, longer and a bit heavier because they were made of layers and layers of tulle! They went down to the floor, practically! Think layers of soft and swishy tulle, which were gathered at the waist.
And imagine, my darlings!* Those beautiful ladies dancing in those grand tutus with big, sweeping gestures. It was such a glorious contrast to the fast, light, nimble movement you see today. You really had to be strong to perform in them. But, let me tell you, the drama of it all…it was absolutely breathtaking! *The tutus danced in harmony with the music. The music was the star, and the tutus helped the star shine. * It felt like the entire room was part of the dance! *
London Ballet & Fashion – A perfect Match
But, back to London! My excitement was off the charts. Just seeing those tutus up close, watching how the light shimmered on them, it made me realize that the elegance of ballet was deeply woven into fashion. Everything in 1916, my darlings, was a touch of elegance. A touch of fashion! * *And those gorgeous dresses! Just a tad bit different from our sleek fashion of today. The styles, my dear, were positively mesmerizing! They were all about beautiful flowing fabrics, and intricate embroidery, adding such a romantic air to everything. It’s hard not to be inspired! **
Tutuu Twirling Inspiration - You’ll Never Know Where It Comes From
As a modern ballerina in the world of “en pointe” ballet, I love the elegant sweep and flow of these vintage tutus. It reminds me that fashion and ballet have always gone hand in hand. We are each others muses! I love being able to take you back through time. Who knows? You might just find your next style inspiration from this romantic, twirling era.
Don't forget to check in with us every Tuesday for a #TutuTuesday dose of history and all things beautiful. * Until then, don't hesitate to *join our **"Pink Tutu Tribe!"
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Emma www.pink-tutu.com Always dreaming in Pink.
*See you next Tuesday! *
