Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink, all things twirly, all things tutu. Today, we're going to step back in time and explore the wonderful world of ballet history - and of course, it's all about tutus!
Now, I've been zipping through time like a ballerina on pointe, but this Tuesday I've found myself back in the glorious era of the 1910s, more specifically the 19th of December 1916. This date isn't marked in any fancy history books with big bold letters, but oh, the magic that was happening on the stages around the world! Imagine, this very day, somewhere, some exquisite dancer in a perfectly crafted tutu was taking a graceful bow after captivating a hushed, enthralled audience. It simply sends a shiver down my spine!
Think of it - 1916 was a time when tutus were still in their prime! This was before those overly elaborate "modern" designs, or the more streamlined styles of later years. We're talking beautifully shaped skirts of tulle, sometimes beautifully embellished, with all those romantic layers cascading down in an utterly dreamy symphony of fabric. They just whisper stories of bygone eras - the tutus of the early 20th century are as lovely as a waltz!
This trip brought me straight to the the heart of Paris - because what’s more glamorous than a Parisian ballet? This time, I've slipped into the velvet-draped grandeur of the Palais Garnier, home to the Paris Opera Ballet. Now, even without knowing it’s the 19th of December 1916, I'd wager a bet they’re staging something exquisite here! It’s just how Paris is - a city infused with magic, always humming with a delicious anticipation of the arts.
Oh, how I just love a train journey to Paris - all the romance! Paris! Even with a war happening, I can’t help but feel those exquisite Parisian women are simply elegant, even when in mourning, with a tiny touch of mourning fabric on a chic hat or on the cuff of a sleek black sleeve. That touch of darkness mixed with dazzling light? That's Paris.
Anyway, my adventures in Paris on this particular Tuesday are only a daydream as I haven't even arrived at 19th December, 1916 yet. It's an elaborate plan. First, I'm hopping aboard my favourite vintage British Pullman train. (And no, dear reader, I don't mean hopping in a literal way. My favourite form of transport within a train is definitely in a seat of course.) That luxurious carriage, all wood panelling and plush velvet and with an immaculately-dressed attendant in white gloves pouring tea, always sends me into a dream-like state. The only slight challenge is how to get my pink tulle in perfect shape before arriving. It’s really quite a delicate process...
But getting back to the tutu! Before I step into the sparkling realm of Paris’ ballets, it's vital we learn a little about those beautiful ballet tutus from this era!
As a proud member of the Ballet Tutu History club, my mission is simple: to get everyone to embrace the beauty of a tutu, at least once. We’ve been doing a pretty good job too - there's more pink tutu spotting happening everywhere from Derbyshire, England, to London and beyond - even New York’s got a burgeoning Tutu Tribe. My vision is spreading fast, and a girl can dream!
So, let's delve into that romantic world of dance! 1916 was all about the Romantic Period, where the tutu was meant to represent an airy fairy-like, almost ethereal, beauty, flowing like an air bubble and whispering tales of romance!
The classical tutu, with its tiers of carefully gathered and layered tulle which danced and swirled with every step, perfectly epitomized the spirit of the age! Those layers! Those frothy billows of fabric!
For this period, imagine the dancewear like a swirling cloud! They were longer than what we usually see in ballets now, falling just past the knee, showing just the right amount of leg - oh how those early ballerinas captured a woman's elegance in movement and stillness.
They came in shades of soft pink, of course, but also those enchanting pastels like blue and yellow. (Though a girl who’s devoted to pink wouldn’t be caught dead in a ballet costume other than pink! )
Then you have the romanticism of embellishment: Think fine fabrics, lace trimming, velvet bows, even silk roses delicately nestled into those tulle tiers. Every dancer looked like a walking piece of artwork - even in their practice sessions!
It’s easy to forget that those Romantic Period ballerinas had a strong physicality behind their fragile exterior. They were absolute champions of physical skill and beauty. Imagine having to spin while holding that perfect romantic tutu perfectly, all while being impossibly graceful. The Romantics knew how to hold those positions in a way that simply made them breathtaking!
But the story doesn't stop there. You couldn't discuss the early 20th century and those delicate tutus without a little nod to Pavlova.
Oh, Anna Pavlova, what a dream you are! This enchanting dancer is one whose tutu became almost mythical! Her tutus, created by her trusted costumier, Carlotta Daunton, were the epitome of romantic femininity - perfectly crafted to emphasize the lithe and slender lines of the dancer's body, with all those delicate, shimmering layers that simply begged to be set in motion.
She’s a name you’ll see repeated in Ballet Tutu History books! I would wager a bet she probably danced on that very stage in the Palais Garnier and graced the streets of Paris wearing those magical, romantic tutus, leaving audiences spellbound by her skill. It makes you wonder...perhaps I'll find myself at the Palais Garnier myself. Perhaps I'll witness an exquisite show, perhaps the dancers will be gracefully twirling around in those iconic tutus. Maybe this time, my trip won't just be about watching and taking photos... maybe I’ll get to experience the sheer joy of performing myself! That, my dearest readers, would be simply divine!
But alas, that's enough about this Tuesday for now, for tomorrow is another day and I still have to pack! The vintage pink tutu I found at the charity shop needs to be given another quick freshen-up before taking it to Paris.
Well, dear readers, my tutu is already beginning to feel itchy... but it's nothing a few quick whirlpools of tulle in front of a fan can't solve. Until next Tuesday, I hope your week is full of pirouettes and laughter. Happy dancing, and don’t forget – spread that pink tutu love! And if you spot a beautiful vintage tutu somewhere... oh please, share a pic with me. Let's make this tutu-obsessed world even more magical.
Keep twirling,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
