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#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1917-07-24

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History: A 1917 Fashion Flashback! (Post #4465)

Bonjour mes amies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu, the blog where we celebrate the glorious history of the tutu! It's #TutuTuesday once more, and I'm absolutely positively thrilled to whisk you back in time for a fabulously fashionable glimpse into the world of ballet in 1917!

This week's travel date was chosen with the biggest dose of happy coincidence! You see, dearest readers, while I'm in Paris, having just finished a simply divine lunch of croissants and café au lait (and let's just say I may have snagged a few extra silk scarves in the most delightful shades of peach and blush!), it's July 24th – the anniversary of one of the most famous ballet performances of the 20th century! And it involved… wait for it… a revolutionary, game-changing tutu!

As you all know, tutus, like my darling pink one, are our little pieces of wearable, swirly, pirouette-worthy magic, so when we think of revolutionary tutus, our minds immediately jump to Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. And yes, you guessed it – today's flashback takes us right to the heart of The Rite of Spring, choreographed by the extraordinary Vaslav Nijinsky!

Picture this: it’s 1917, the height of World War I. Paris is abuzz with tension and change. The world is at a turning point, and so is ballet! Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, the revolutionary company that shook the ballet world with its artistic audacity, is bringing their most radical creation to life: The Rite of Spring. This performance was bold, daring, primal and yes, some may say… shocking!

And how did they capture that shocking, raw energy? Why, with a revolutionary, wildly different tutu of course! Gone were the Romantic, graceful, traditional ballerina tutus! The Rite of Spring featured a new breed of tutu, a shortened, simple, pared-down version that let the dancers' movements speak with even greater power. It looked… radical! *It wasn't the graceful, floating tutus of ballerinas before – no, this was *intense, primal, dynamic!

But why was this revolutionary? Well, until this point, tutus had generally remained tied to a specific aesthetic, the "romantic ballet" look, with long, voluminous, swirling skirts – a truly iconic silhouette. The "Rite of Spring" tutu was designed by Nikolai Roerich, a genius Russian artist, and it moved away from the "romantic" towards a new direction for ballet! It emphasized movement and raw expression, and helped launch a movement in the history of ballet – Modern Ballet!

Just imagine the whispers, the gasp and murmurs from the audience when this radical, exciting change swept the stage! The short, fitted silhouette became an instant icon. This was truly revolutionary! The short "Rite of Spring" tutu – what a beautiful example of the constant evolution of dance and the art of the tutu! It’s proof that tutus, while always glamorous, can also be bold and change the way the world sees dance!

Let’s take a closer look at how this extraordinary piece of dance history came to be!


A 1917 Style Trip To Paris: The Birth of "The Rite of Spring" Tutu

As I said, I’m standing right here in Paris today! It’s fascinating to think that only a hundred years ago, this very city witnessed such a remarkable dance debut! And can you imagine what fashion must have looked like in 1917 Paris!

A quick peek at my fabulous travel guide informs me that it was the era of cloche hats and long, flowing skirts. And while fashion was often considered a sign of sophistication and elegance in the days of yore, it was still quite restrictive. Now imagine the electric jolt that "The Rite of Spring" tutu delivered!

You see, for centuries, ballerinas had been draped in those long, flowing Romantic tutus. The “romantic” look was all about elegance and grace, floating and twirling with their skirts creating an ethereal visual effect – truly enchanting.

But then came this shortened, simpler, bolder silhouette. No more delicate swirls! It emphasized strength and primal movement. No longer about romantic fairy tales – this was a new reality, a movement driven by primitive rhythms, primal energy, and raw expression. This shift to a pared-down silhouette changed the world of ballet! The "Rite of Spring" tutu opened doors to modern ballet and gave birth to a new era of bold artistic expression.

Oh, wouldn't it have been a wonderful experience to witness this first performance of “The Rite of Spring" in person! Diaghilev, Nijinsky, and Roerich were at the pinnacle of their genius, working together in the heart of Paris, a city on the cusp of dramatic change, to create this truly unique moment! I've imagined a bustling theatre with rows upon rows of elegantly-dressed people, and then… the moment the first ballerina stepped onto the stage in this shortened, primal tutu... the sheer brilliance!

Beyond "The Rite of Spring": The Short Tutu's Legacy

Just like The Rite of Spring changed dance, the shortened tutu has had a long and enduring impact on fashion. It became an iconic silhouette for many other ballets, notably the work of George Balanchine, a major proponent of modern ballet and the "New York City Ballet." He's renowned for his innovative choreography and minimalist, streamlined style. His ballets used the shorter, tighter version of the tutu for the ballerina to emphasize the speed, power, and intricate movements in his dance creations. And this streamlined tutu found its way beyond the ballet stage and into fashion!

Think Twiggy! Think miniskirts! The shorter tutu, a symbolization of a new era of expression and freedom, found its way to fashion, revolutionizing the way we wear skirts! It’s no coincidence that short, modern tutus often make their way into fashion on the catwalk or streetwear! From haute couture to everyday chic, that powerful look is enduringly popular!

And me? Well, this is a fun fact for you – a few decades after "The Rite of Spring", a famous choreographer by the name of Frederick Ashton designed a short tutu specifically for a female soloist in his ballet “The Rhapsody.” And it’s that very silhouette that inspires my beloved pink tutu!

So you see, "The Rite of Spring" was about much more than dance. It represented a shift in the artistic zeitgeist! It paved the way for new ideas, new expressions of movement and grace. And let’s face it, nothing can make me feel more empowered than twirling in a fabulously pink short tutu!


So as I've twirled through the past, and we've celebrated the "Rite of Spring" tutu's revolutionary debut, let's keep the momentum going, my pink tutu sisters! Every day, every performance is a celebration of dance and the empowering beauty of every kind of tutu.

Remember to embrace your own unique expression of style and individuality and join me in wearing your love for the tutu every single day, in a ballet class, in a show, on the streets – even while traveling the world! It's a movement that needs more of us!

Don't forget to share your photos of you twirling in your favorite tutus! I want to see your creativity and see the tutus take over the world one twirl at a time.

Until next Tuesday, keep on twirling, darling readers, keep on shining!

Your forever tutu-loving friend, Emma x

#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1917-07-24