Hiya darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing time-travelling fashionista, Emma, back with another captivating dive into the fabulous history of ballet's most iconic garment – the tutu!
Today, my lovelies, we're jetting back to June 12th, 1917! The world was buzzing with the echoes of the Great War, but fashion was already moving towards a brighter, more liberated future. This was the dawn of the roaring twenties, a time when flappers danced the Charleston in short skirts and bobbed hair. And let me tell you, this spirit of change was also rocking the world of ballet!
Imagine this: picture Paris, a city of elegance and artistry. I’m walking down the Champs-Élysées, my pale pink tutu shimmering under the summer sun, taking in the heady perfume of Parisian streets, feeling the energy of this exciting era thrumming through the city. I can almost hear the laughter of flapper girls mingling with the graceful music of a nearby cafe, the air electric with possibility.
What’s happening on June 12th, 1917, you ask? Well, it was a Tuesday – the perfect day for a ballet show! You might be surprised to know, however, that ballet in 1917 was undergoing its own fashion revolution! Think back to the puffy Romantic era tutus of the late nineteenth century – a big, full affair, quite frankly impractical and a little suffocating. Now imagine the thrill of dancers wearing lighter, shorter, and much more freeing tutus! The skirt barely reached the knee, giving a glimpse of their slender legs and letting their movements flow with freedom and grace. This shift, my dears, was partly thanks to the incredible, iconic ballerina, Anna Pavlova. She was one of the first to adopt this shorter style, embracing movement and bringing a more athletic and modern energy to ballet.
And speaking of Anna Pavlova – imagine my excitement when I bumped into her in the wings of the Opéra Garnier, the iconic Parisian theatre that’s practically bursting with ballet history! I swear, the energy in that building is something else. She was looking exquisite in a crisp white tutu, her eyes sparkling with that quintessential ballerina twinkle! I must confess, I practically swooned with excitement! She was truly an inspiration to ballerinas everywhere, inspiring them to embrace the freedom of movement. It’s truly remarkable how quickly things changed in the ballet world! The shortened, streamlined tutus became an immediate hit!
But the story doesn’t end there, my dear readers. Fashion, you see, is all about having a good time! And even with the "new wave" of streamlined tutus, designers continued to play with the length of the tutu skirt – and boy, did they have some fun! In 1917, you could find ballerinas on stage wearing tutus in varying lengths - the 'Romantic' style might be used for a specific piece or for the corps de ballet, whereas the "newer" style gave a sense of freedom and femininity. And let's not forget about colour! This period, my dear readers, was a true celebration of colour! Think pastel pinks, sunshine yellows, azure blues, even shimmering silver! The world of ballet, with its elegant leaps and dramatic poses, suddenly took on a much bolder, even playful, persona.
You’ll see all sorts of fashion inspiration for our 21st-century tutus popping up right before your very eyes! It’s such a wonderful time to be a tutu-enthusiast! You want something dramatic? You’ll find a beautifully full tutu with layers of tulle, harking back to that Romantic style! You want something playful, fun and full of sass? The streamlined tutus of 1917 are an inspiration!
My dear friends, this journey into the past was nothing short of dazzling, don’t you agree? Remember, these incredible women who paved the way for ballerinas of today are true fashion icons, with their talent, passion, and the very spirit of fashion, revolutionizing the look of ballet. Now, it's time for me to slip on my pale pink tutu and head to a ballet show of my own! After all, the history of fashion – and tutus, specifically! – continues to evolve every single day. I can't wait to see where we journey next!
Till next Tutu Tuesday, my loves! Keep dancing, keep dreaming, and don’t forget to have fun with fashion!
Don’t forget, you can find this, and all of my Tutu Tuesday blog posts on my website - www.pink-tutu.com - it's a one-stop shop for all things tutus, fashion, and ballet! Don't be shy - I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment about your favourite historical tutus!
P.S. - Let's not forget: everyone can wear a pink tutu! The only rule is to have fun!
Big love,
Emma
xxx
